Pacific Climate Change Program: Update No. 1

Abstract

The Pacific developing member countries (PDMCs) of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) are confronted with extraordinary circumstances with respect to climate change. They face dire and immediate consequences—from sea level rise and more frequent and stronger storms to the changing distribution of disease vectors—that are markedly disproportionate to their contribution to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Climate change can compromise their prosperity, stability, and security. The impacts on food production, land and marine resources use, as well as damage to infrastructure, water resources, and human health will result in economic losses that might cause large-scale migration, both internally and externally. Women and children are at greatest risk from these impacts.