Understanding the climate-sensitive decisions and information needs of island communities

Abstract

Climate variability and change present significant challenges for island communities in the Pacific and Indian Ocean regions. Understanding how climate science can be useful for island communities requires knowledge of decision-makers, their climate-sensitive decisions, and the context in which the decisions are being made. In this paper we report on an interdisciplinary research and outreach effort called the Pacific Islands Regional Climate Assessment. We describe potential impacts from the changing climate for island communities, including food and water security, disaster preparedness, human migration and national security. We highlight transferable lessons learned related to building resiliency, engaging innovative leadership and supporting integrated research and outreach.

Keywords:

• climate change
• island communities
• decision-making
• integrated methods

Acknowledgement

The authors acknowledge the many experts who presented research, discussed findings and authored or reviewed sections of the full PIRCA report.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This paper summarises key findings of the Pacific Islands Regional Climate Assessment (PIRCA), supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)-funded Pacific Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessments (RISA) Program [grant number NA10OAR4310216] and supported through the East-West Center; NOAA's National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS); National Climatic Data Center (NCDC); Pacific Climate Information System (PaCIS); and the Pacific Islands Climate Change Cooperative, funded by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.