Sea-level rise talks crown our efforts
17.12.2009
The serious talks on how to curb sea-level rise now going on in Copenhagen can be seen as a welcome global extension of our long-time efforts.
With President James Michel at the forefront, we have been telling the world of the urgent need to do whatever it takes to stop global warming, responsible for the melting of glaciers that threatens to submerge low-lying land, particularly in island nations like Seychelles.
In 2004, Seychelles warned the world that the Indian Ocean will lose all its coralline islands in 50 years if nothing is done.
President Michel called for action to back up claims of concern, and in September 2007 launched the Sea Level Rise Foundation during the first Global Island Partnership strategy meeting held in Rome.
The foundation aims to galvanise global action to address the devastating impacts of climate change on our planet and brings resources and expertise together to support small island states, islands and other low-lying areas in adapting to sea-level rise.
“We are running out of time, and we must combine our resources and know-how to avoid the physical damage and social and economic toll threatening all island societies. We must maintain and restore the natural protection provided by our healthy island ecosystems,” said Mr Michel at that time.
Elaborating on the three main roles of the Sea Level Rise Foundation, he said it would bring together countries, scientists, policy-makers and other stakeholders to share ideas, technology and know-how, to provide a platform for public-private partnerships and raise resources required to involve all nations in avoiding the situation where there are climate refugees, the first of whom would be those living on islands and in low-lying areas.
In line with Mr Michel’s promise, Seychelles declared part of Silhouette island as a new national park designed and effectively managed for resilience to climate change, from a biodiversity and sea-level rise perspective.
“Silhouette is the third largest granitic island in the Seychelles group, lying within a marine protected area and known as one of the most important biological hotspots in the Indian Ocean,” said Mr Michel.
“Silhouette is known for its virgin and untouched forest, and this deserves formal protection. At least eight species of plants, one endemic family of rare frogs and other biodiversity thrive on Silhouette. But the threat of climate change, invasive species and others is forever looming.”
With this addition, Seychelles now has more than 50% of its land territory under formal protection, as well as the 14 marine protected areas that have already been designated as such.
Addressing the 63rd session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September last year, Mr Michel said we are the ones facing the risk of being submerged by rising sea levels, while some nations even refuse to acknowledge their responsibility for the high levels of environmental pollution now threatening the planet’s resources.
“Despite our size, we shall continue to lead by example to ensure sustainable development is achievable in our present generation,” he said, adding that the initiatives launched by Seychelles deserve global support.
In his address at the International Astronautical Congress in Daejeon, South Korea, in October, the President stressed the need to share technology to combat climate change.
“From the perspective of the Seychelles islands, climate change is not simply a pressing concern to be addressed – it is a matter of survival,” he said.
“Our population of just over 85,000 makes us one of the smallest independent nations in the United Nations. Halting climate change is a question of guaranteeing our human right to live and prosper in the land of our forefathers.”
Mr Michel said as a small country our geographic isolation and small market have always posed specific challenges for economic development. But we have always recognised that our future is interlinked with the protection of our environment. And we have always sought to protect it at all costs.
“Global emissions are already at a rate that will destroy many island states. Assuming current rates of warming, the sea will rise 1.4m in less than 100 years. That may not sound much, but it is enough to submerge many coral islands. And we must bear in mind that warming is continuing to accelerate,” he said.
He said small island states have asked for tough decisions to be taken in Copenhagen, and what is being requested is based on scientific research, which has shown clearly what is needed to ensure that islands survive.
“We are asking that global temperatures be limited to an increase of 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels; that atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations should stabilise at well below 350 parts per million of carbon dioxide equivalent; that global greenhouse gas emissions must peak by 2015; and that global carbon dioxide emissions must be reduced by at least 45% below 1990 levels by 2020, and by more than 85% by 2050,” Mr Michel said in Korea.
“We are asking for these targets because all the research has shown that this is what it will take for small islands to survive.”