Pacific islands are increasingly threatened by climate change, as described in the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Southwest Pacific Climate Outlook 2023. The report in presented at the Pacific Islands Assembly in Tonga, highlighting the dire and imminent dangers of sea level rise. level, ocean warming and acidification. Sea levels in the southwest Pacific are rising nearly twice as fast as the global average, according to the report. Since 1980, sea surface temperatures in this region have risen three times faster than the global average. This rapid warming has increased the frequency and intensity of ocean heat waves, which have become a major concern for the region’s ecosystems. The frequency of ocean heat waves in the Pacific Ocean has nearly doubled since 1980, and has increased significantly in intensity and duration. A marine heat wave occurred around New Zealand in 2023, lasting about six months, and was considered dangerous. These heat waves can negatively affect marine life, including fish stocks and reefs, causing problems such as coral bleaching and disruption of the marine food chain. Ocean acidification is another important issue mentioned in this report. The oceans absorb 25 percent of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions, increasing their acidity over the past four decades. This change in ocean chemistry has resulted in noticeable declines in surface ocean chlorophyll and phytoplankton size, which has significant implications for marine ecosystems and food security. The report stresses that despite their minimal contribution to global emissions, Pacific Islands are extremely vulnerable due to their low elevation and proximity to the coast. With average elevations of just one to two meters above sea level, and significant portions of their population and infrastructure located near the coast, these islands are at high risk from rising sea levels and associated coastal flooding.
The findings of the report underscore the critical need for enhanced climate adaptation measures and improved early warning systems, particularly for Small Island Developing States. These systems are essential for proactive disaster risk reduction and climate resilience, yet they are only available in about one-third of such states globally. The WMO report, produced in collaboration with various international partners, aims to inform the global debate on climate adaptation and livelihoods. This highlights the urgent need for cooperation to address the many challenges of climate change and protect the future of vulnerable regions such as the Pacific Islands.