Pacific islands to face food shortages due to global warming: Scientists
The Pacific islands will face food shortages, and drinking water will be affected by rising seas, scientists said Wednesday, as a U.N. report found the world would fail to limit global warming to 1.5°C.
Scientists warn that Pacific islands are facing severe food shortages and water shortages due to the impact of global warming. The U.N. Environment Programme (UNEP) report predicts that global temperature rise will exceed the 1.5°C limit set by the Paris Agreement, reaching 1.8°C. This overshoot will result in a $90 million loss in fishing license fees, equivalent to 13% of government revenue in the region.
Tuna stocks, which account for a third of the world's tuna catches, will migrate east, causing coastal fishers to lose 65% of their catch. This would mean two meals per family per week would no longer be available, leaving families to replace clean, healthy protein sources. Moreover, devastating floods and rising sea levels will contaminate fresh water supplies, exacerbating food insecurity and threatening the habitability of the islands.
Maina Talia, climate change minister for Tuvalu, emphasized that the climate crisis is already upon them, stating that Pacific islands are seeking financial assistance to adapt to the changing climate and urging developed countries to take tougher action to reduce fossil fuel usage. Vanuatu climate change minister Ralph Regenvanu called on major fossil fuel exporters like Australia to halt the expansion of their exports, as Australia is a significant producer of fossil fuels and a major contributor to the climate crisis.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese acknowledged that his country's energy transition cannot happen overnight, admitting that natural gas will play a role in the transition to renewable energy sources.
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