Small islands: living laboratories revealing global climate and sustainable development challenges
Small islands, while hosting only about 1% of the global population, are among the most vulnerable regions to climate change. Their critical importance in climate adaptation is often overlooked, and their value as natural laboratories is frequently lost in discussions on sustainable development and...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Climate |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fclim.2024.1445378/full |
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| author | Assela Pathirana |
| author_facet | Assela Pathirana |
| author_sort | Assela Pathirana |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Small islands, while hosting only about 1% of the global population, are among the most vulnerable regions to climate change. Their critical importance in climate adaptation is often overlooked, and their value as natural laboratories is frequently lost in discussions on sustainable development and climate adaptation. Beyond their well-documented vulnerabilities, small islands serve as invaluable scientific laboratories, illustrating the interconnected impacts of water, environment, society, and economy. Due to their small size and “islandness,” these provide a condensed and accelerated view of natural and anthropogenic phenomena, which are harder to observe in larger, more distributed geographies. Investing in research and adaptation strategies for these communities addresses their immediate needs and offers critical insights and early warning signs for broader global climate challenges. This paper argues for increased attention and resources for small islands, emphasising their role as microcosms that reflect broader environmental trends and highlighting the urgent need for targeted adaptation measures. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-166cb32ab3a74f3db1e34684758d6f41 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2624-9553 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Climate |
| spelling | doaj-art-166cb32ab3a74f3db1e34684758d6f412025-01-09T17:29:22ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Climate2624-95532025-01-01610.3389/fclim.2024.14453781445378Small islands: living laboratories revealing global climate and sustainable development challengesAssela PathiranaSmall islands, while hosting only about 1% of the global population, are among the most vulnerable regions to climate change. Their critical importance in climate adaptation is often overlooked, and their value as natural laboratories is frequently lost in discussions on sustainable development and climate adaptation. Beyond their well-documented vulnerabilities, small islands serve as invaluable scientific laboratories, illustrating the interconnected impacts of water, environment, society, and economy. Due to their small size and “islandness,” these provide a condensed and accelerated view of natural and anthropogenic phenomena, which are harder to observe in larger, more distributed geographies. Investing in research and adaptation strategies for these communities addresses their immediate needs and offers critical insights and early warning signs for broader global climate challenges. This paper argues for increased attention and resources for small islands, emphasising their role as microcosms that reflect broader environmental trends and highlighting the urgent need for targeted adaptation measures.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fclim.2024.1445378/fullsmall island developing statessustainabilitymarginalised and vulnerable groupsMaldives archipelagoclimate vulnerabilityPacific islands |
| spellingShingle | Assela Pathirana Small islands: living laboratories revealing global climate and sustainable development challenges Frontiers in Climate small island developing states sustainability marginalised and vulnerable groups Maldives archipelago climate vulnerability Pacific islands |
| title | Small islands: living laboratories revealing global climate and sustainable development challenges |
| title_full | Small islands: living laboratories revealing global climate and sustainable development challenges |
| title_fullStr | Small islands: living laboratories revealing global climate and sustainable development challenges |
| title_full_unstemmed | Small islands: living laboratories revealing global climate and sustainable development challenges |
| title_short | Small islands: living laboratories revealing global climate and sustainable development challenges |
| title_sort | small islands living laboratories revealing global climate and sustainable development challenges |
| topic | small island developing states sustainability marginalised and vulnerable groups Maldives archipelago climate vulnerability Pacific islands |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fclim.2024.1445378/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT asselapathirana smallislandslivinglaboratoriesrevealingglobalclimateandsustainabledevelopmentchallenges |