Climate Heroes Need Help in the Pacific
By: Human, Putting The Social In Science
Tags: Students, Cyclone, Pacific, Climate

The entire world is feeling the effects of climate change. However, the countries emitting the lowest levels of deadly CO2, face the biggest consequences.

By Alex Clarke — ARNEC Conference 2019 — Hanoi, Vietnam — 6 Dec 2019

Although industrial giants China and the US emit the biggest volumes of carbon dioxide, it’s only fair to judge them in relation to their size. The 2016 rankings by per capita for CO2 emissions, revealed Saudi Arabia, Australia and the US to be the most intense contributors. It’s known that developed nations typically have high emissions, but what about the less developed parts of the world? The Pacific Islands consist of 11 countries, and not one of these make it into the top 20 for high CO2 output. In fact, the Islands contribute only 0.02% of global emissions. Despite their innocent living, the Pacific region is, and will continue to be some of the worst affected areas, by increasing and more intense storms as a result of climate change.

At this year’s Global ARNEC Conference 2019, Soana Kaitapu (Ministry of Education, Government of Tonga) shared the painful scars of Cyclone Gita in 2018. The cyclone was the worst storm to rip through Tonga in 60 years. With winds of 230km per hour, it flattened houses, electricity lines and fruit trees, causing significant damage across the region. With more than 80% of homes in Tonga left without power, an intensive emergency effort was needed. An effort that cost $164.3 million — 38% of Tonga’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product). As Ms Kaitapu explained, it will take the best part of a decade for the country to recover from this event. They simply cannot afford to have this happen again any time soon.

While a decade-long recovery period from cyclone Gita is alarming in itself, what is even more worrying is that these cyclonic super storms are increasing with climate change. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says climate change will result in tropical cyclones having greater intensity, higher rainfall and increased area coverage. This is mainly due to warming sea temperatures, which drive cyclonic storm activity. Storm surge is also exaggerated by rising sea levels and changes in wind patterns — driven by climate change.

As discussed at the ARNEC Conference, climate change can be stopped. Climate change is reversible. Climate experts must be listened to. Out of the top 10 countries for highest CO2 emissions, only 1 of them — India — is on track to meet carbon emission goals. If the objective to stabilize temperatures is to be met, the whole world must act in equal. Millions of people worldwide are campaigning for more vigorous political action. Reforming policy is an integral part of changing the way society functions, and a multi-sector coherent action plan is the only way to save our planet and its people. Countries like Tonga are left at the mercy of the world. They need our help.

About Author:

Alex is a student studying Landscape Architecture at the University of Sheffield. His studies are preparing him for a career in urban design as well as ecology. Alex’s interests stem from the natural world, and ways it can be protected from climate change.