Page 81 - Livre_MOW2022_EN

RESILIENT COASTS | 79

FROM RISKS TO SOLUTIONS
The objective of this high-level workshop, based on
the experience of several members of the expert pa-
nel, is to shift from risks to solutions, and thus create
various adaptation paths for the atoll islands. In order
to do so, archetypal islands (islands with a high or low
population density, islands predominated by nature)
need to be defined: the two main regions, namely the
Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, where atolls are
located need to be considered; contrasting climate
risk scenarios based on IPCC’s latest data need to
be considered. In a second phase, in order to provide
decision makers and communities with a clear idea
of the possible adaptation options, the experts will
develop a systemic approach to the problem and a
combination of appropriate measures for the short,
medium and long term.

At the end of this first workshop, the groundwork was
laid for assessing adaptation measures. Next steps
for 2022 for the OACIS expert panel: carrying out the
assessment, followed by a second workshop de- © Asad Photos Maldives- pexels.com
voted to discussing the initial results and identifying
concrete adaptation trajectories.

ATOLL HABITABILITY UNDER
THREAT
QUESTIONS DISCUSSED BY EXPERTS DURING THE WORKSHOP:
“Unless technological, human and financial capaci-
ties are significantly improved on a timely basis to
offset the effects of climate change effectively, the ■ What criteria should be selected to assess the potential
cumulative effects of climate stress factors within the of various solutions to reduce the climate risk?
context of a moderate adaptation scenario will have ■ How can we consider various time scales over the course of this
repercussions in the second half of the 21st century century and various global warming scenarios (de + 2°C à + 4°C,
that will probably exceed the adaptation capacity of or even beyond)?
the atolls in the Western and Central Pacific and In-
dian Ocean”, assert Virginie K. E. Duvat, Alexandre ■ How can we consider the variability of the situations between
K. Magnan & Co, at the end of their article “Risks highly urbanised islands and more rural islands, but also located
to future atoll habitability from climate-driven environ- in ocean basins, therefore in different climate contexts?
mental changes” published in WIREs Climate Change
in December 2020. “Our results indicate that there ■ How can we move from evaluating individual solutions to
will be significant spatial variations in risk between the climate change adaptation trajectories at 21st century level?
ocean basins and between islands”, comment the
members of the Atolls Future group, highlighting the
high vulnerability of islands in the Western Pacific.