Climate change and integrated coastal management: a challenge for small island nations

The US Country Studies Program (US CSP) is part of the United Statesʹ contribution to the objectives of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) by providing financial and technical support to developing and economically transitional countries to carry out their country studies in order to address issues on climate change. The Country Studies results will be the scientific and technical bases for planning their climate change national action plans, which will be implemented for future national communications and will eventually be required by the UNFCCC. Among the 56 countries supported by the US CSP there are strong oceanic and coastal vulnerability and adaptation projects in 41 country studies. For the eight small island nations in the program, integrated coastal management (ICM) is the recommended adaptation strategy as the essential part of their climate change national action plans. This paper reviews the difficulties and challenges facing small island states as they attempt to address climate change impacts on their environments, cultures, societies and economics. The paper draws on presentations and discussions taking place at a Regional Workshop for Pacific Island Nations taking place in Honolulu, Hawaii in September 1994 sponsored by the US Country Studies Program.