Climate change adaptation on Small Island States: an assessment of limits and constraints

Leal Filho, W, Krishnapillai, M, Sidsaph, H, Nagy, GJ, Luetz, JM, Dyer, J, Otoara Ha’apio, M, Havea, PH, Raj, K, Singh, P, Rogers, T ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2423-6678, Li, C, Boodhan, MK, Wolf, F, Yayeh Ayal, D and Azadi, H, 2021. Climate change adaptation on Small Island States: an assessment of limits and constraints. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 9 (6): 602. ISSN 2077-1312

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Abstract

Small Island States (SIDS) are among the nations most exposed to climate change (CC) and are characterised by a high degree of vulnerability. Their unique nature means there is a need for more studies focused on the limits to CC adaptation on such fragile nations, particularly regarding their problems and constraints. This paper addressed a perceived need for research into the limitations of adaptation on SIDS, focusing on the many unique restrictions. To this end, the study identified and described the adaptation limits they have by using a review of the literature and an analysis of case studies from a sample of five SIDS in the Caribbean and Pacific regions (Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Cook Islands, Fiji, Solomon Islands and Tonga). This research’s findings showed that an adaptable SIDS is characterised by awareness of various values, appreciation and understanding of a diversity of impacts and vulnerabilities, and acceptance of certain losses through change. The implications of this paper are two-fold. It explains why island nations continue to suffer from the impacts of CC and suggest some of the means via which adequate policies may support SIDS in their efforts to cope with the threats associated with a changing climate. This study concluded that, despite the technological and ecological limits (hard limits) affecting natural systems, adaptation to CC is limited by such complex forces and societal factors (soft limits) that more adequate adaptation strategies could overcome.

Item Type:	Journal article
Publication Title:	Journal of Marine Science and Engineering
Creators:	Leal Filho, W., Krishnapillai, M., Sidsaph, H., Nagy, G.J., Luetz, J.M., Dyer, J., Otoara Ha’apio, M., Havea, P.H., Raj, K., Singh, P., Rogers, T., Li, C., Boodhan, M.K., Wolf, F., Yayeh Ayal, D. and Azadi, H.
Publisher:	MDPI
Date:	31 May 2021
Volume:	9
Number:	6
ISSN:	2077-1312
Identifiers:	Number Type 10.3390/jmse9060602 DOI 1735965 Other
Rights:	This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Divisions:	Schools > School of Science and Technology
Record created by:	Jonathan Gallacher
Date Added:	28 Feb 2023 09:55
Last Modified:	28 Feb 2023 09:55
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/48423

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