Earth Today | Small islands welcome UN Declaration on Sea Level Rise

SMALL ISLAND developing states appear to have released a collective breath, following the adoption of the first United Nations Declaration on Sea Level Rise, which recognises sea level rise as a real and growing climate change threat requiring a global response.

“We are deeply concerned about sea level rise. Sea level rise is not a distant scenario, but a real and lived experience for many. Rising sea levels are primarily driven by ocean warming and melting ice sheets and glaciers, and we note with concern this phenomenon is accelerating,” reads a section of the Declaration, adopted last Thursday (September 24) during the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

“It imperils people living on islands and in coastal regions, low-lying deltas and archipelagos around the world, and erodes hard-won development gains, especially for developing countries and in particular, small island developing states (SIDS) and least developed countries. Its cumulative, severe and irreversible risks demand stronger international cooperation and urgent, coordinated action. Adaptation and mitigation action, based on the best available science and knowledge, is essential to addressing sea level rise,” it added.

In response, the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) said that not only does the declaration affirm that maritime zones are stable but also that it “underscores the continuity of statehood in the context of sea level rise, as well as continued UN membership of affected States”.

“For decades, small island states have said international law says that sea level rise does not change our maritime zones or our statehood. Today (September 24), every member of the international community has affirmed it. Our zones are stable. Our statehood continues. Sea level rise threatens our coasts, our homes and our ways of life. It does not threaten our legal rights or our standing as States,” noted His Excellency Surangel Whipps Jr, president of the Republic of Palau and Chair of AOSIS at the AOSIS Leaders Meeting on September 24.

AOSIS represents the interest of 39 small island and low-lying coastal developing states in climate change and sustainable development processes.

Of course, Whipps added, the declaration “cannot stop sea level rise, only climate action can do that”.

“Sea level rise is a direct consequence of climate change, and every fraction of a degree of warming commits the world to more of it ... . We will press major emitters for deep and rapid emissions cuts consistent with 1.5 degrees Celsius and for adaptation finance that reaches our islands. The legal protections affirmed today, and ambitious climate action must advance together,” he noted.

The declaration has also commended the leadership of SIDS “as some of the States most affected in highlighting and aiming to address sea level rise” through a range of efforts – from the 1989 Malé Declaration on global warming and sea level rise to the 2021 Alliance of Small Island States Leaders’ Declaration and the 2024 Alliance of Small Island States Leaders Declaration on Sea Level Rise and Statehood.

Sea level rise, based on the prevailing science, is a clear and present danger to SIDS, and is one of the climate change impacts for which they have long called for comprehensive and sustained action. A recent publication from the United Nations Environment Programme, Limiting overshoot: Navigating exceedance of 1.5 degrees Celsius and pathways towards return, itself alluded to the dangers of sea level rise for SIDS.

“Risks and impacts include faster sea-level rise, a higher likelihood of collapse of ecosystems such as coral reefs, more extreme heat and wildfires, and profound changes to the cryosphere (ice sheets, sea ice, glaciers, permafrost and snow),” the report said in relation to the anticipated overshoot of global warming of 1.5 degrees Celsius.

“While there are uncertainties around the timings and strength of these impacts and tipping points, it is clear they will harm people, societies and economies, particularly in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and low-lying cities, some of which face partial or complete submersion,” it added.

pwr.gleaner@gmail.com