Pacific islands face risk of drowning as sea levels rising faster than expected

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has issued a stark warning, stating that sea levels aroudn Pacific Islands are rising at a rate of about 4 mm per year, slightly above the global average.

The warning came in its State of the Climate in the South-West Pacific 2022 report.

This accelerated rise threatens low-lying islands such as Tuvalu and the Solomon Islands, which could face devastating floods over time, leading to the destruction of agricultural lands and habitable areas.

The report also highlighted the occurrence of marine heatwaves in a large area northeast of Australia and south of Papua New Guinea over a period of more than six months.

These heatwaves have had a significant impact on marine life and the livelihoods of local communities.

WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas emphasised the role of El Nino, a phenomenon characterised by a warming of water surface temperatures in the eastern and central Pacific Ocean.

He stated, "This will have a big impact on the South-West Pacific region as it is frequently associated with higher temperatures, disruptive weather patterns and more marine heatwaves and coral bleaching."

The report also revealed that the region recorded 35 natural hazards last year, including floods and storms, resulting in the death of over 700 people. These events directly affected more than 8 million individuals.

Despite a decrease in the number of reported disaster weather events compared to 2021, the economic losses due to flooding and weather events have increased, underscoring the escalating threat of climate change in the region.

The findings of the WMO report underscore the urgent need for comprehensive climate action to mitigate these impacts and safeguard the future of these vulnerable island nations.