Climate Change & Disasters

Climate Change and Disasters “The report [Impacts, Adaptation & Vulnerability, IPCC 2007] confirms our worst fears – vulnerable people; the elderly, the sick and the poorest people, in the poorest countries, are at greatest risk when it comes to climate change” Madeleen Helmer, Head of the Red Cross Climate Change Centre “The report illustrates that the international community's responsibilities should go beyond reducing carbon dioxide emissions. They must extend to the protection of the most vulnerable against the disasters that a changing climate will bring. This requires a massive and global commitment to disaster preparedness and risk reduction” Markku Niskala, International Federation Secretary General

World Disaster Report 2008 Oceania Total Disasters Killed Affected* Damage** ,530 Affected * = Thousands Damage ** = US$ Millions Source: Red Cross Red Crescent World Disaster Report 2008

How do we know what to expect in Asia Pacific?

Pacific Islands are some of the most vulnerable

Sea level rises in the Pacific Location InstalledTrend mm/yr Fiji Oct Kiribati Dec Vanuatu Jan Tonga Feb Cook Is Feb Samoa Feb Tuvalu Mar Marshall Is May Nauru Jul Solomon Jul PNG Manus Sep FSM Dec Based on SEAFRAME Data at 27 stations monitored hourly

How do we know what to expect in Asia Pacific? Since 1950 natural disasters affected more than 3.4M people Outside PNG led to more than 1700 reported deaths 1990s reported natural disasters cost the region US$2.8B in 2004 value 10 of 15 most extreme events over the past 50 years occurred in the last 15 years

Solomon Islands is already experiencing: Rising sea levels, with salt water intrusion Flooding Greater intensity and frequency of cyclones Coral reef pressure How do we know what to expect in Asia Pacific?

Results in: Fresh water contamination Greater coastal erosion Reduction in island size Food and water security issues Health impacts How do we know what to expect in Asia Pacific?

Impacts compounded by: Poverty Population increases Urbanisation Deforestation Subsistence dependence Other Pacific nations impacted: PNG Kiribati Samoa Tuvalu Not ‘if’ but ‘when’ How do we know what to expect in Asia Pacific?

Tuvalu Home to 4000 of the 11,000 population 379 people per sq km - 70% reliant on subsistence Highest point 4.5m above sea level Isolated outer islands Issues Rising temperatures / sea levels Rainfall decrease No land to flee to Logistical communication challenges How do we know what to expect in Asia Pacific?

Wars…conflicts…natural disasters…climate change Red Cross response: Set up Climate Centre in the Hague in 2002 Disaster and Climate change delegates meet regularly Linking with Government and other NGOs Sharing Australian knowledge with our Pacific neighbours Conducting detailed community planning in Pacific Nations

Action: 2005 pilot project to combat climate change Assessed preparedness and response to adaptation Raised awareness and set up a Climate Action Network International training provided Satellite phones and communication packs distributed What’s happening in the Pacific?

The Red Cross approach in the Pacific? ‘Preparedness for Climate Change Program’ Workshop Climate Change Risk with stakeholders Identify/assess Climate Change risks against the priorities/programmes Address gaps via capacity building Develop Climate Change resilient programmes Implement community level adaptation projects: Rainwater harvesting Reforestation projects Coastal zone protection Win-win adaptation strategies e.g. Vietnam mangrove replanting to protect coastline from typhoon impacts and promote fish nurseries

What lessons have been learnt? Adaptation Strategies: Pay off in the long run Costs less than disaster recovery Must be introduced early, when planning key investments Win-win strategies required Reduce vulnerability

But there are still major challenges to overcome? Prevention vs. generous response to disasters irrespective Benefits not immediately visible Compete with short term priorities Prevention funding constrained vs. significant emergency funding Management of natural hazards not mainstreamed into economic planning Efforts undermined as not managed by key ministries Inadequate emphasis on raising awareness

What is needed to help the Pacific? Link bodies that deal with adaptation and disasters Funding model that supports adaptation, separate from disaster response Country dialogue, plans and projects to include adaptation and disaster risk reduction More funds dedicated to adaptation in poorer nations Developing win-win projects for community and government buy-in Foster international mentoring opportunities

Their future is linked to our future?