This document discusses the impacts of sea level rise and climate change on the Pacific island nations of Kiribati and Tuvalu. It notes that rising sea levels are causing coastal erosion, inundation, and saltwater intrusion into freshwater resources. This is forcing people to relocate further inland, but the narrow islands have limited suitable land. The impacts on communities include damage to homes and infrastructure, loss of land for farming and fishing, food insecurity, and threats to younger generations' ability to live on the islands. Adaptation strategies proposed include building stronger seawalls, planting crops further inland, conserving fresh water, and involving communities in mangrove planting and coastal zone management to enhance resilience to sea level rise.

1. Module 6 Group Forum
Q1. i) The main concern for people in Kiribati and Tuvalu is sea level rise. This
has led to related problems such as coastal inundation, coastal erosion and sea
water intrusion into land. As a result, the people have to move inland, i.e. have
to keep moving back from the shore line. The narrow islands are vulnerable
and the land to which they have to move into is very limited.
ii) Effects on people’s lives.
 Their fresh water resources will be affected.
 This can lead to water borne diseases.
 Coastal settlements will disappear.
 Gardens and plantations will be destroyed, leading to food shortages and
food insecurity.
 The younger generation might not enjoy the life on their island.
According to the IPCC (2007: 15) AR4 WG2 SPM:
 Small islands, whether located in the tropics or higher latitudes, have
characteristics which make them especially vulnerable to the effects of
climate change, sea level rise and extreme events.
 Deterioration in coastal conditions, for example through erosion of
beaches and coral bleaching, is expected to affect local resources, e.g.,
fisheries, and reduce the value of these destinations for tourism.
 Sea-level rise is expected to exacerbate inundation, storm surge, erosion
and other coastal hazards, thus threatening vital infrastructure,
settlements and facilities that support the livelihood of island
communities.
 Climate change is projected by mid-century to reduce water resources in
many small islands, e.g., in the Caribbean and Pacific, to the point where
they become insufficient to meet demand during low-rainfall periods.
 With higher temperatures, increased invasion by non-native species is
expected to occur, particularly on mid- and high-latitude islands.

2. Coastal Erosion in Kiribati (Source: NAPA Kiribati)
Q2.
i) -In order to safeguard settlements, I believe the first step to take is to build
sea walls that could last for a very long time. If necessary, build one that is
higher and stronger that waves would not easily break and/or penetrate.
- The other option is to plant root crops and vegetables inland, and not near
the coast.
-Maintain and conserve available good ground water lenses.
- Manage risks to water resources throughout the atolls. This will be achieved
through risk assessments and in designing and implementing responses,
including sustainable community-based monitoring system.
ii) Possible adaptation measures would be to:
(a) Build a sea-wall to hold out the sea-water.
(b) Shift to crops that better tolerate occasionally salty water. In contrast to
mitigation measures, such adaptation measures can be effective immediately.
Such overtopping is expected to be more frequent due to climate change and
mean sea level rise, so adaptation measures have to be stronger to cope. In this
example, that would mean either extending the sea-wall upwards and/or
further restricting the choice of possible crops. Beyond a certain stage, there
are no crops that are sufficiently salt tolerant, and this adaptation measure
cannot cope.
c) Another way to safeguard settlements is to involve the community in the
planting of mangroves near the coastal areas, and beach fronts where it can be
planted.

3. d) Adaptation also requires enhancement of institutional capacity, developing
expertise and building knowledge. Devise adaptation options that will reduce
the impacts and also enhance the resilience of the system.
e) Coastal zone management and resilience enhancement for adaptation, which
uses traditional coastal protection systems.
S11000327 (Viliame Cama)