Climate change and low-lying Pacific islands : a plain person's guide to global warming, sea-level rise, and the threat to Pacific islands

Abstract

It is now widely acknowledged within the scientific community that the global rate of sea- level rise is quickening - and is likely to continue to do so — as a result of anthropogenic climate change. It is expected, therefore, that any resulting increase in the frequency or intensity of extreme sea-level events will cause serious problems for the inhabitants of low- lying coastal communities and islands during the 21st century.