Sea Level Rise

Rise in global sea levels could have 'profound consequences'

The long-held view has been that the world's seas would rise by a maximum of just under a metre by 2100.

This new study, based on expert opinions, projects that the real level may be around double that figure.

This could lead to the displacement of hundreds of millions of people, the authors say.

The question of sea-level rise was one of the most controversial issues raised by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), when it published its fifth assessment report in 2013.

Alarming: Sea-level rise in Solomon Islands doubles global average

Director of Solomon Islands Meteorological Services David Hiba who is now studying at Reading University in the UK said the current sea level in Solomon Island is more than doubled the global average.
 
“This is the net sea level rise after filtering out noises such as tides, earth movement, meteorological factors etc,” Hiba said.
 

Relocation underway for Manus islanders due to climate change

Sea level rise is an effect of climate change which is causing coastal impact on the islands.

Mbuke Group of Islands is located in Ward One of Pobuma Local Level Government.

Head of the local NGO Marine Environment Awareness and Response Team, former WWF Marine Officer Selarn Kaluwin, said they’ve started to relocate due to sea level rise and population growth.

King tide hits Manus island

Local NGO Marine Environment Awareness and Response Team, headed by former WWF Marine Officer Selarn Kaluwin, confirmed that the tide increased by 0.1 metre compared to past events.

Kaluwin said the tide has gone down however, they are monitoring the situation after sea level reached about 5 to 20 metres onshore.

However, he said the impact didn’t affect gardens and homes however, villagers are on the lookout.

“We are looking at local approaches or knowledge in terms of adaptation measures.

Manus Islanders work towards addressing sea level rise

The people of Mbuke Island in Manus Province have taken the initiative to find ways to adapt to this natural impact.

Ward councilor Selarn Kaluwin said they’ve been working towards addressing the issue for years now, which is progressing well.

Kaluwin said they already have adaptation plans in place which include coastal rehabilitation programs.

“We are still facing these problems and have looked at options in trying to adapt.

“These include building a sea wall and planting mangroves, which are working really well for us.

Climate change actions: we can do at least this much

At a dinner convened jointly between France and the UK in London last week, a group of representatives from such small island states described the severity of the threat they face. They are understandably pushing hard for all nations to do more to cut emissions and help prevent the worst impacts of climate change.

The threats facing the rest of the world are no less grave. To preserve a climate that can support a healthy, prosperous population, we must limit global warming to no more than 1.5°C or 2°C.

Little movement on climate change at Forum

The 46th meeting of Pacific Island Forum leaders meeting ended with an agreement to disagree on the contentious issue of climate change and a change in approach to fisheries management.

Climate change in particular dominated the week's discussions between the 16 member countries gathered in Papua New Guinea's capital Port Moresby.

Early on in the summit, conflicting views emerged as small island states like Kiribati and Palau reiterated their calls for greater action from the more developed nations like New Zealand and Australia on climate change.

Pacific island states hold firm on 1.5 degree temperature rise

Tony Abbott arrived in Port Moresby on Wednesday night after climate change dominated pre-retreat discussion among the other 15 leaders, with Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O'Neill insisting there was strong support for the forum to have a “single position” on the issue.

O'Neill said the views already expressed in two pre-forum declarations supporting the 1.5 per cent target, rather than the 2 per cent preferred by Australia and New Zealand, would be “very seriously considered” at the retreat.

More data needed to study Sea Level Rise

USP Journalism's Duane Mar interviewed Piotrowicz, who said that the ocean information buoy network, called Argo has given priority on data gathering in the South Pacific.

“Vast areas of the South and West Pacific have been either not sampled, or are dramatically under sampled,” he said.

Piotrowicz said that the data regarding changes in temperature and salt levels being recorded at deep sea levels are important in understanding sea level rise but was very limited.