Climate Change Resilience
15 November 2013, UNFCCC, Warsaw Poland - In the Cook Islands, a Vulnerability and Adaptation study in Penhryn, Manihiki, Rakahanga and Atiu identified coastal erosion, salt water inundation, droughts and availability of water as some of the climate change impacts experienced by the communities.
Here at the 19th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change, these very real experiences are propelling the Cook Islands delegation as they negotiate for assistance to adapt and mitigate climate change, including the issue of Loss and Damage.
"This is very important for us, from what we are hearing from our northern group islands is that they are already experiencing the impacts of climate change through coastal erosion resulting in land loss. In our northern atolls there are some areas that are less than 300 metres wide - ocean on one side, lagoon on the other." said Ms. Ana Tiraa, the Director of the Cook Islands Climate Change Division.
"Losing a little bit of land has a big impact on low lying communities with limited land area. Loss of land is not easily replaced."
L - R: Ana Tiraa, Diane McFadzien, Malia Talakai - all follow the Loss and Damage negotiation thread
Loss and Damage refers to a range of damage and permanent loss associated with unavoidable climate change impacts that cannot be avoided through mitigation or adaptation.
These can include impacts from extreme weather events such as tropic cyclones or flooding events and; slow onset events such as sea level rise and ocean acidification.
"I was at a workshop on fisheries and climate change, and the delegates from Penrhyn Island shared that parts of the road between Omoka to the airport had been washed away due to extreme high tides," said Tiraa.
"If people ask why we are in Warsaw at this meeting - then this is a perfect example of why. We are battling for a global agreement so that our people can continue living on their islands and to preserve a standard and quality of life that is rich, rewarding, and ultimately one that I hope will actively contribute to the global effort of combating climate change."
The Cook Islands delegation is led by Ms. Tiraa who is attending the Loss and Damage negotiation thread. The UNFCCC COP 19 is held in Warsaw, Poland from 11 to 22 November.
Here at the 19th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change, these very real experiences are propelling the Cook Islands delegation as they negotiate for assistance to adapt and mitigate climate change, including the issue of Loss and Damage.
"This is very important for us, from what we are hearing from our northern group islands is that they are already experiencing the impacts of climate change through coastal erosion resulting in land loss. In our northern atolls there are some areas that are less than 300 metres wide - ocean on one side, lagoon on the other." said Ms. Ana Tiraa, the Director of the Cook Islands Climate Change Division.
"Losing a little bit of land has a big impact on low lying communities with limited land area. Loss of land is not easily replaced."
L - R: Ana Tiraa, Diane McFadzien, Malia Talakai - all follow the Loss and Damage negotiation threadThese can include impacts from extreme weather events such as tropic cyclones or flooding events and; slow onset events such as sea level rise and ocean acidification.
"I was at a workshop on fisheries and climate change, and the delegates from Penrhyn Island shared that parts of the road between Omoka to the airport had been washed away due to extreme high tides," said Tiraa.
"If people ask why we are in Warsaw at this meeting - then this is a perfect example of why. We are battling for a global agreement so that our people can continue living on their islands and to preserve a standard and quality of life that is rich, rewarding, and ultimately one that I hope will actively contribute to the global effort of combating climate change."
The Cook Islands delegation is led by Ms. Tiraa who is attending the Loss and Damage negotiation thread. The UNFCCC COP 19 is held in Warsaw, Poland from 11 to 22 November.