Climate Risk Assessment for Coastal Policy in the Pacific Islands

Even though sea level rise projections vary by place with incremental changes expected in the next twenty years or more, the reality of island ecosystems is that climatic changes in sea level rise exacerbated by climate extremes, such as storms, drought, floods, and sea level variation, will result in coastal damage and changes along different temporal and spatial scales. Developing a conceptualization of the populations at risk and the capacities of governments and communities to deal with risks will be critical. This involves the design of response measures for today, disaster risk reduction measures in the near-term, and adaptation strategies for impacts on the horizon. The measures, plans and policies must integrate scientific research, socio-economic assessments, and practitioner knowledge in the way we manage and use our ecosystems. Plans and policies must be developed using methods and establishing a process of integrated climate risk assessment.