The Pacific island nation may disappear because of climate change

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has just published a research report on the "Economics of Climate Change in the Pacific", which warns that Pacific countries could suffer from 2.9. -12.7% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2100 because of the effects of climate change.

The report 'The Economics of Climate Change in the Pacific' includes the issue of future climate models in the Pacific region, assessing the potential impacts of climate change on agriculture, fisheries, tourism, coral reefs, human health, and predicting the potential economic impact of climate change on specific sectors and economies under the scenarios of emissions Different greenhouse applications.

ADB's Pacific Director General, Xianbin Yao, emphasized that it is important for Pacific Island nations to increase their CO2 emissions reductions through building and developing a sustainable green economy. , strengthening mutual integration in this issue as well as responding to climate change, because if not addressed satisfactorily, climate change could reverse the region's development achievements.

Photo: AP

According to the report, the economic damage caused by climate change by 2100 will be greatest for Papua New Guinea, at 15.2% of GDP. Followed by Timor-Leste 10%, Vanuatu 6.2%, Solomon Islands 4.7%, Fiji 4.0% and Samoa 3.8%.

With the average emission scenario of greenhouse gases, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste and Vanuatu will witness an increase of 2-3 degrees Celsius by 2070, but Its implications are to significantly reduce rainfall and negative impacts on agriculture, fisheries, tourism and expand the area of 'bleached' coral reefs .

The report also noted that the negative impacts above will contribute mainly to the total economic losses caused by climate change on the Pacific, making countries in this region need to increase the amount required. ask in preparation for climate change response in the worst scenario, from USD 447 million / year to USD 775 million / year (or 2.5% of GDP) until 2050.

The report recommends that regional leaders and policymakers need urgent action to mitigate the impacts of climate change in development and development planning towards effective, improved adaptation strategies. improving long-term sustainability and improving the ability of Pacific nations to cope with climate change.