Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Climate Change Adaptation on Small Island States: An Assessment of Limits and Constraints

Walter Leal Filho
* ORCID logo ,
Murukesan Krishnapillai
ORCID logo ,
Henry Sidsaph
,
Gustavo J. Nagy
,
Johannes M. Luetz
,
Jack Dyer
,
Michael Otoara Ha’apio
,
Peni Hausia Havea
,
Kushaal Raj
,
Priyatma Singh
,
Tom Rogers
,
Chunlan Li
* ,
Ksenia Chmutina
,
Monica K. Boodhan
,
Franziska Wolf
,
Desalegn Yayeh Ayal
ORCID logo ,
Hossein Azadi
ORCID logo
Version 1 : Received: 2 January 2021 / Approved: 4 January 2021 / Online: 4 January 2021 (16:26:11 CET)

How to cite: Leal Filho, W.; Krishnapillai, M.; Sidsaph, H.; J. Nagy, G.; M. Luetz, J.; Dyer, J.; Otoara Ha’apio, M.; Havea, P.H.; Raj, K.; Singh, P.; Rogers, T.; Li, C.; Chmutina, K.; K. Boodhan, M.; Wolf, F.; Yayeh Ayal, D.; Azadi, H. Climate Change Adaptation on Small Island States: An Assessment of Limits and Constraints. Preprints 2021, 2021010061. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202101.0061.v1 Leal Filho, W.; Krishnapillai, M.; Sidsaph, H.; J. Nagy, G.; M. Luetz, J.; Dyer, J.; Otoara Ha’apio, M.; Havea, P.H.; Raj, K.; Singh, P.; Rogers, T.; Li, C.; Chmutina, K.; K. Boodhan, M.; Wolf, F.; Yayeh Ayal, D.; Azadi, H. Climate Change Adaptation on Small Island States: An Assessment of Limits and Constraints. Preprints 2021, 2021010061. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202101.0061.v1

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 special nature means there is a need for more studies focused on the limits to CC adaptation on such fragile nations, particularly in respect of their problems and constraints. This paper addressed a perceived need for research into the limitations of adaptation on SIDS, focusing on the many restrictions which are unique to them. The main research question raised by this study was that how and to what extent the challenges by human activities (e.g., agriculture and tourism) posed to coastlines of SIDS could be addressed. This paper 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). The findings of this research 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 not only limited by such complex forces, but also by societal factors (soft limits) that could potentially be overcome by more adequate adaptation strategies.

Keywords

limits; adaptation; small island developing states; impacts; sustainable development; policy-making

Subject

Physical Sciences, Acoustics

Copyright: This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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