Climate Change Adaptation in Small Island Developing States

A groundbreaking synthesis of climate change adaptation strategies for small island states, globally. This wide-ranging, comprehensive, and multi-disciplinary study is the first book to focus on the challenges posed by climate change impacts on Small Island Developing States (SIDS). It analyzes the impacts of climate change across the Caribbean, the Pacific Ocean, and the African and Indian Ocean regions in order to identify and tackle the real issues faced by all small island states.

As global effects of climate change become increasingly evident and urgent, it is clear that the impact on small islands will be particularly severe. These island countries are especially vulnerable to rising sea levels, hurricanes and cyclones, frequent droughts, and the disruption of agriculture, fisheries, and vital ecosystems. On many small islands, migration of vulnerable communities to higher ground has already begun. Food security is an increasingly pressing issue; hundreds of thousands of islanders are at risk. Marine ecosystems are threatened by acidification and higher seawater temperatures, leading to increased pressure on fisheries—still an important source of food for many island communities.