What climate changes are occurring in Nauru, and what’s next?
- Air and ocean temperatures are increasing: It’s difficult to be sure due to inadequate records for Nauru, but the Australian Government’s Pacific Climate Change Science Program states that based on nearby regions it’s likely the average temperatures have increased by between 0.15-.25°C since 1950, while sea surface temperatures have increased by 0.15-.20°C over the same time period.
- The sea is rising, and increasingly acidic: Sea levels have risen by about 5mm per year since 1993, while extra ocean uptake of CO2 is causing the ocean to become more acidic, negatively impacting the growth of corals and organisms. Both the sea level and ocean acidity is expected to keep increasing.
- More very hot days and extreme rainfall days: With increasing temperatures and changing rainfall intensities, these extreme events will occur more often. The temperature increases may be especially important for drought conditions, which are already considered the Nauru’s main climate extreme.
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More detailed information from the Australian Government’s ‘Pacific Climate Change Science Program’ can be downloaded here –> Nauru Climate Change Factsheet PDF.
Has Nauru’s Government acted to mitigate or adapt to climate change?
In November 2011, the Adaptation Partnership reviewed current and planned adaptation action in Nauru. They found that Nauru is involved in a low number of adaptation projects at the regional level; no nationally focused adaptation projects have been identified. Through these projects, adaptation action is being implemented on the ground that addresses needs related to agriculture, coastal zone management,water, forestry, tourism, gender and policy and planning. To read about these policies (page 3 and 4) and what the Adaptation Partnership believes should be done next, click here.
It should be noted that new developments have occurred since the report was written. In 2012 for example, Nauru passed the National Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Policy – which the Government believes will help safeguard the countrys water supply against climate change. Click to read about the policy either here, or here.
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We’re currently in contact with a number of our team coordinators, representatives and volunteers on the ground in the Pacific Region – compiling information on the key climate issues facing the country, what our teams are doing locally, and how local groups are standing up and confronting the challenge of climate change.
As we compile more information, this link will be appropriately updated. So check back soon!
350 Pacific team