UPSC Mains 2025 General Studies I
Q. How are climate change and sea level rise affecting the very existence of many island nations?
Introduction
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report (2021), global mean sea level has risen by about 20 cm since 1900, primarily due to climate change–induced thermal expansion of oceans and melting glaciers. Low-lying island nations such as Maldives, Tuvalu and Kiribati face existential threats as rising seas, extreme weather events and ecological degradation undermine their physical territory and livelihoods.
- Submergence of Land and Territory Loss
Sea level rise is causing permanent inundation of low-lying islands.
Evidence
- The average elevation of Maldives is around 1.5 meters above sea level, making it one of the most vulnerable countries.
- The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warns that sea levels could rise 0.44–0.76 m by 2100 under high-emission scenarios.
Implication
- Entire islands may become uninhabitable or disappear, threatening national sovereignty.
- Coastal Erosion and Loss of Habitats
Rising sea levels accelerate coastal erosion, shrinking already limited land.
Example
- Studies show that several islands in Solomon Islands have already been lost due to sea-level rise and erosion.
Impact
- Loss of housing, infrastructure and natural ecosystems such as mangroves.
- Salinization of Freshwater Resources
Saltwater intrusion contaminates groundwater aquifers and agricultural land.
Evidence
- Freshwater lenses in atoll countries like Tuvalu are extremely shallow and easily affected by seawater.
Consequences
- Drinking water shortages
- Decline in agriculture and food security
- Increased Frequency of Climate Disasters
Climate change intensifies storm surges, cyclones and flooding.
Example
- Small island states in the Pacific and Caribbean frequently face stronger storms due to warmer ocean temperatures.
Institutional Evidence
- The United Nations recognizes Small Island Developing States (SIDS) as among the most climate-vulnerable regions.
- Threat to Livelihoods and Economy
Island economies depend heavily on fisheries and tourism, which are climate-sensitive.
Examples
- Coral reef degradation due to warming oceans threatens fisheries in Kiribati and Maldives.
- Tourism infrastructure along beaches is vulnerable to erosion and flooding.
- Climate Migration and Statelessness
Rising seas may force populations to relocate, creating climate refugees.
Case Study
- The government of Kiribati purchased land in Fiji in 2014 as a potential relocation option.
Legal Concern
- International law currently lacks clear protection for climate-induced displacement.
- Threat to Cultural Identity and Sovereignty
For island communities, land is closely linked with culture, identity, and sovereignty.
Example
- Indigenous communities in Tuvalu risk losing ancestral lands and cultural heritage if islands disappear.
Conclusion
Climate change and sea level rise pose existential challenges to many small island nations by threatening their territory, freshwater resources, economy, and cultural identity. Recognizing this vulnerability, international frameworks such as the Paris Agreement emphasize mitigation and adaptation support for vulnerable states. Strengthening global climate action, climate finance and resilience-building is essential to ensure the survival and sovereignty of these island nations.