Marshall Islands plans to raise atolls by up to 60 cm to counter sea-level rise
Atolls in the Marshall Islands will be raised by about 45 to 60 centimeters as part of a major adaptation effort to combat rising seas. The project is estimated to cost USD 35 billion. Marshall Islands Climate Change Coordinator Bear Salomon described the initiative as a reflection of the Marshallese determination to remain on their islands rather than migrate in the face of climate threats.
Under a National Adaptation Plan, islanders aim to protect at least four pieces of land against two meters of sea-level rise by 2070. “We will try our best to go more than four atolls, but by that time, four pieces of land against two meters of sea level rise,” Salomon said. He added that the plan is a survival blueprint that aligns climate adaptation efforts across sectors and stakeholders in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, marking a shift toward a more bottom-up approach.
The plan was developed after consultations across 15 atolls and neighboring islands, involving 1,362 people—about three percent of the national population—over 123 days. “The results showed that the people of RMI strongly wish to continue living in their homelands instead of migrating,” Salomon noted.
Broader regional context and what it means for the Pacific
This Marshall Islands effort sits within a larger Pacific-wide push toward resilience and climate adaptation. Similar Pacific initiatives highlight a trend toward community-led action and regional cooperation to confront sea-level rise, stronger storms, and coastal erosion. In neighboring island states, adaptation financing and practical on-the-ground measures are already underway. For example, Cook Islands and Micronesia have pursued projects funded by the Adaptation Fund to bolster water storage, climate-resilient agriculture, and marine habitat protections, while other communities have invested in seawalls, mangrove planting, and barrier structures to shield land and infrastructure. These efforts underscore the importance of timely finance, local leadership, and practical, scalable solutions as the region navigates a rapidly changing climate.
Commentary and implications
– The Marshall Islands’ plan emphasizes a bold, capital-intensive approach tied to a tangible timeline. If implemented, it could serve as a model for high-cost, high-impact adaptation in small island nations.
– The success of such an ambitious program will likely depend on securing sustained international climate finance, efficient governance, and ongoing community engagement to ensure local needs drive project design.
– The focus on keeping people in place aligns with regional sentiment in the Pacific, where many communities prefer adaptation and resilience over relocation, even as some areas remain highly vulnerable.
Summary of potential next steps
– Detailed project phasing and funding arrangements will be critical to moving from planning to construction.
– Continuous community involvement will be essential to maintain legitimacy and address local concerns.
– Coordination with regional partners and financing mechanisms (such as climate funds and development banks) could help unlock the capital needed for large-scale works.
Summary in Fijian
Na itukutuku oqo e baleta na veibasai ni atolli ena Marshall Islands me toso 45-60 senita me vukea na wai levu. Na ilavo me baleta na cakacaka qo e rubei me USD 35 bilioni. E a tukuna ni planu ni veivakabulai ena iVakaraitaki e vakabula na vanua kei na biyaki ni lewa ni veika e yaco ena 2070.
Na ituvaki vakaitikotiko e sa vakarautaki kina na planu ena 15 atoll kei na vanua e va en go ni siga e 123 na siga, tale ga e 1,362 na tamata, e baleta na 3 na pasene ni lewenimu ni vanua. E tukuna talega ni na ra dau maroroi na noda vanua kei na nodra bula kei na qai sega ni caféi na keda vanua vakamataqali.
Na veika e rawa ni vakayacora na nodra veiqaravi oqo ena so na isi ni vanua ena Vuku ni Vuli ni Pasifika: vakabibitaki na veiqaravi me baleta na wai ni wai, vakatuburi ni waini kei na kena vakarautaki na vanua ki na lomalagi ni wai, kei na veivakadonui ena dravudravua; e tu kina na veiqaravi me vukea na maroroi ni waqa, na vanua kei na mataivalu ni wasawasa. Na itukutuku oqo e vakaraitaka na nomu ituvaki ni koto ni vanua ena Vakarau ni Pasifika, me rawati kina na veivakadonui tale ga.
Additional notes for editors
– Consider including a brief explainer box on how such 45-60 cm raises would be implemented (types of works, maintenance needs, potential ecological impacts, and risk scenarios).
– If possible, follow up with officials on financing timelines and procurement plans to provide readers with a clearer sense of when and how works may begin.
– Track regional responses to this announcement, as neighboring island nations may be watching closely for lessons applicable to their own adaptation efforts.
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