Across the globe, countless island countries and small isles stand on the brink of disappearance as the oceans continue to creep higher, averaging 0.2 m over the past century. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change offers a list of tiny islands under threat of shrinking or altogether ceasing to exist.
The 26 atolls of the world's lowest-lying country have an average ground level of just 1.5 m above sea level. Its infrastructure and socio-economic activity is/will be affected as the rising continues. Climate change might threaten its very existence.
The Pacific island nation, which is a collection of 9 low-lying atolls, faces severe threats from rising sea levels. So worrying is the prospect that Tuvalu, according to a BBC report, is creating a digital version of the country, right from its homes, buildings and countryside so it will not be forgotten.
The land of 33 atolls and reef islands, with a population of 120,000, is fighting rising waters since all its land is not more than 4 m above sea level. The ocean's encroachment is contaminating underground wells and soil, leading to issues with growing fruits and vegetables and finding potable water.
The South Pacific islands have already suffered the disappearance of 5 reef islands as the oceans swell. Six larger islands have already lost more than 20 per cent of their surface area.
The people of the low-lying atolls, especially the island on which its capital Majuro is located, live in the fear of extinction of their homeland. It has affected its unemployment rates and lead to an exodus of people to higher altitude land or other countries.
The archipelagic country northeast of Australia is rather flat. To stave off being inundated by the seas, Tonga has instituted a variety of programmes like protection of the coast, revegetating the coast and agroforesty projects, more water collection systems, apart from improving public awareness.
In the Caribbean, this nation with a total area of 440 sq m. Extreme weather, brought on by climate change, batters these islands. The United Nations Environment Program is helping the country find solutions to global warming issues that are endangering Antigua.
In the northern Pacific, some 600 or so islands together, east of Philippines, are the self-governed country of Micronesia, with Palikir as its capital. Its tiny population is facing devastating issues as the globe continues to warm up and hence its strident voice internationally for cutting global gases.