The Pacific Islands, known for their stunning clear waters, pristine beaches, and lush rainforests, attract tourism crucial to the economies of many nations in the region. However, the ongoing threat of climate change has raised alarm among those reliant on the travel industry. Christopher Cocker, chief executive of the Pacific Tourism Organisation, states that leaders in the region have identified climate change as the primary danger to the livelihoods, security, and overall well-being of Pacific communities. He emphasizes the need for immediate and innovative measures to secure the future of tourism in these islands.
All Pacific Islands face vulnerabilities due to climate change, but low-lying atoll nations such as Tuvalu, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia are particularly at risk. These nations contend with rising sea levels, which can lead to flooding during king tides, limited access to safe drinking water due to prolonged droughts, and changes in rainfall patterns. They also confront the growing threat of intense tropical storms.
According to Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology, climate models project a shift in the Pacific Ocean towards fewer but more severe cyclones. In Tonga, residents have observed a troubling trend with an increase in more powerful storms. Sione Taufa, an associate dean at the University of Auckland Business School, notes that cyclones that once arrived infrequently are now more common, frequently reaching category four or five strength.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres recently underscored the plight of Pacific Islands during the Pacific Island Forum Leaders Meeting in Tonga, urging polluting countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. He pointed out that while small Pacific nations do not contribute significantly to climate change, they suffer disproportionately from its effects.
Fiji, located a short flight from Tonga, also grapples with the impacts of climate change, despite welcoming nearly a million visitors last year. Marica Vakacola from the Mamanuca Environment Society highlights the growing concerns over water security in the region due to rising sea levels contaminating freshwater sources and erosion impacting beaches.
Susanne Becken, a professor of sustainable tourism at Griffith University, warns of potential tensions over dwindling water resources as the needs of tourists clash with those of local communities. Research conducted in Fiji and the Cook Islands indicates some residents exhibit a sense of denial or fatalism regarding climate change, feeling overwhelmed by the issue and preoccupied with revitalizing the tourism market.
In the Cook Islands, Brad Kirner from the Cook Islands Tourism Corporation acknowledges the complexity of discussing climate change. He advocates for serious adaptation strategies to address the pressing threats while recognizing the need for solutions to the travel industry’s contribution to global warming.
Despite feelings of despair, there is a resilient spirit among these island communities. Social structures rooted in kinship and support networks are essential. As Sione Taufa notes, while assistance is always appreciated, communities prefer not to adopt a victim mentality; rather, they strive to support each other and persevere in the face of adversity.