Five Solomon Islands reportedly disappeared in the West Pacific due to sea level rise. Based on a new study published in Environmental Research Letters, a team of Australian scientists from the University of Queensland found the worsening impact of climate change as the culprit to the vanishing of five vegetated reef islands.
Severe Coastal Erosion
The drastic effects of climate change have been increasingly observed worldwide. But one of the most notable effects was the severe coastal erosion, which led to the disappearance of five Solomon Islands.
According to the study, researchers investigated the erosional rates of 33 islands. Alarmingly, they found five reef islands have been wiped out while six additional islands were reportedly experiencing severe coastal erosion, Gizmodo notes.
"Understanding these local factors that increase the susceptibility of islands to coastal erosion is critical to guide adaptation responses for these remote Pacific communities," the scientists wrote.
The Solomon Islands And The Western Pacific
The Western Pacific and the Solomon Islands, an archipelago of almost a thousand islands and home to nearly 560,000 people, were reportedly hotspots for rising sea levels. In fact, many residents in the remote communities had to flee to higher elevations because their properties have been gobbled by the ocean.
"The sea has started to come inland, it forced us to move up to the hilltop and rebuild our village there away from the sea," 94-year-old Paurata tribe leader Sirilo Sutaroti said to the scientists, as per Chicago Tribune.
Climate Change
Even though previous research in the Pacific islands revealed that shoreline changes were caused by several extreme events such as seawalls and inappropriate coastal development, latest study found the accelerating sea-level rises were directly linked to climate change, The Telegraph reports.
According to the scientists, the severe coastal erosion and the destructive sea level rise were human-induced and one of the radical impacts of climate change. They also warned that Taro Island, Solomon Islands' Choiseul Province capital, might become the first capital city in the world that people abandon because of climate change and global warming.
Alarming Sea-Level Rise
In addition, the findings also revealed the rising sea-levels were about a fourth to two-fifths of an inch a year, which is thrice of the global average. Researchers also predicted that with the current trend in sea-level increase, oceans could rise by as much as 49 feet by 2100.
Other Islands In Danger?
Aside from the Solomon Islands, other Pacific Island nations are also in danger to vanish due to the strong tides brought by climate change. In fact, the rising sea-level had also wacked the Marshall Islands while residents in the island of Tuvalu had abandoned their nation in 2014 due to climate change.
Beyond Pacific islands, coastal cities such as Miami Beach, are also reportedly vulnerable to severe coastal erosion. If the Earth's temperature keeps on rising, as many as 760 million people could lose their properties to the ocean.
Meanwhile, climate change negotiations over the past decades have paved the way for wealthy nations worldwide to pledge billions of dollars to help island nations. Unfortunately, the said funds have yet to materialize, Daily Mail reveals.
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