ADAPTING TO CLIMATE CHANGE
HA WAI'I and U.S. PACIFIC ISLANDS &EPA
stales
Environmental Protection
Agency
Hawai'i and the U.S. Pacific Island region include more than 2,000 islands spanning
millions of square miles of ocean. Projected higher temperatures, varied patterns
of precipitation, and sea level rise challenge communities working to prevent
sewage contamination, protect aquifer-supplied drinking and maintain wastewater
and stormwater systems. Many communities are building resilience to the risks
they face under current climatic conditions. This fact sheet provides examples of
communities that are going beyond resilience to anticipate and prepare for future
impacts.
Observed and Projected Changes in Hawai'i and the U.S. Pacific Islands
Moving Beyond Resilience to Adaptation
Climate change adaptation goes
beyond resilience by taking actions to
address future risks. Adaptation refers
to how communities anticipate, plan,
and prepare for a changing climate.
Intense storms have decreased
Observed Change in Very Heavy Precipitation
awai'i experienced a 12% decrease in the
amount of precipitation falling in very heavy
events (the heaviest 1%) from 1958 to 2012.
Precipitation varies among U.S. Pacific Islands
Observed Changes in Annual Rainfall in the Western North Pacific
1
1
10°N
;
i
Equator
Wetter
0.00
PALAU
GUM
-0.10
CHUUK
-0.32
0 C
PGtlNFLI
KWAJALEIN
-0.23
• :
^0.40
KOSfWE
Drier
3-0.34°
^f
140T
0.40
Longitude
030 0.0 -0.20 -0.40
*•• **
*0.3Q +0.10-0.10 -0.30
Islands in the western Pacific Ocean are getting
slightly more rainfall than in the past, while islands
more to the east are getting less (measured in
change in inches of monthly rainfall per decade over
the period 1950 to 2010).
Average Annual Temperat
Hawai'i is projected to experience an
increase in the average annual
temperature for 2041 to 2070 compared
to 1971 to 1999 under a high emissions
scenario.
Freshwater Quality and Availability
Climate change will affect areas of the region in different ways. In the western Pacific, a decline of 15% in annual rainfall has
already been observed. Higher temperatures due to climate change will likely contribute to the further reduction of
precipitation on these islands. Key vulnerabilities include:
• Less precipitation reduces the availability of freshwater sources for drinking water due to lower groundwater levels and
aquifer recharge.
• Decreased precipitation also increases the likelihood of saltwater intrusion, which reduces the availability of freshwater, and
may require additional water treatment.
Other islands, particularly those in the eastern Pacific, are expected to experience more frequent and intense storms due to
climate change. Key vulnerabilities include:
• More frequent and intense storms due to climate change can overload water infrastructure.
• Climate-induced flooding is likely to result in more frequent water system contamination from uncontrolled wastewater.
Adaptation in Action
The Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change (PACC) partnership of Pacific island nations, including the U.S.-associated states of the
Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia, helps member states develop climate-resilient water
systems. Adaptation measures include upgrading water infrastructure improve water capture, storage, and quality. PACC helps
members perform climate, socio-economic, and cost-benefit analyses in the early planning stages of climate-sensitive projects.
It also helps government departments of member countries mainstream climate change into national water policy and planning,
and improve water management at national and community levels, as the climate changes.
-------
ADAPTING TO CLIMATE CHANGE HAWAI'I and U.S. PACIFIC ISLANDS
Ecosystem Approach to Climate Adaptation
Atoll islands consist of accumulations of sediment on top of coral reefs, and typically have highly dynamic shorelines that are
constantly being reshaped by the forces of erosion and accretion. The low elevation and fragile equilibrium of atoll islands make
them among the landforms most vulnerable to climate change. Key vulnerabilities include:
• Climate-induced storm surges and flooding threaten critical infrastructure.
• Saltwater intrusion from sea level rise effects the fragile freshwater lenses that sustain agriculture and ecosystems. These
lenses are freshwater areas which float, due to the differences in the density of freshwater and seawater, in the upper part of
the aquifer layer over seawater in small islands.
• Rising sea temperatures and ocean acidification with resultant coral bleaching threat subsistence fisheries.
• Sea level rise is projected to result in complete inundation and island disappearance.
Adaptation in Action
Namdrik Atoll is the smallest and lowest-laying inhabited island in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, a sovereign associated
state under a Compact of Free Association signed with the United States in 1986. To reduce dependence on declining fisheries
and vulnerability to climate change, the Namdrik Atoll Local Resources Committee is promoting a model of community self-
sufficiency, local food security and adaptation. The committee is using a multifaceted approach to conserve biodiversity, address
invasive species, and improve agricultural resources.
Traditional crops have been reintroduced to protect and restore soil, diversify agriculture, and open value-added processing
industries. A pearl farm provides jobs and revenues to fund projects in education and health. Training in rainwater harvesting
provides safe drinking water, and solar technology provides renewable energy. Initiatives are in place to restore shoreline
vegetation with native and traditionally-used species. In 2012, the project was awarded the UN Development Programs' Equator
Prize for vetted and peer-reviewed best practices in community-based environmental conservation and sustainable livelihoods.
Using Science and Traditional Knowledge to Prepare for Climate Change
The unique experiences and observations of indigenous peoples have contributed to an increased understanding of climate
change. Many tribal customs and practices related to fishing, hunting and planting are dependent on the capacity to predict
changes in weather and climate. Elders often rely on changes in plant and animal behavior to predict tropical storms and
cyclones, and thus prepare communities to cope with changing conditions. Key vulnerabilities include:
• Climate change-induced drought threatens traditional food sources.
• Coral death from warming-induced bleaching threatens subsistence fisheries.
• Sea level rise and flooding threaten coastal artifacts and structures associated with cultural traditions.
Adaptation in Action
Moloka'i is a small, culturally rich Hawaiian island with much of its infrastructure, including culturally critical ancient fishponds,
located on the coast, and is home to some of Hawai'i's most diverse native plant communities. The Pacific Islands Climate Change
Cooperative (PICCC) is a self-directed conservation alliance of local, state, federal, indigenous, and NGOs working to prepare for
climate change. PICCC brought together Moloka'i's traditional fishpond managers, climate scientists, and natural resource
managers to share scientific and cultural knowledge. The project identified adaptive management strategies for two of Moloka'i's
ancient fishponds, and for other key economic and cultural resources at risk from climate change.
The project conducted workshops, field trips, presentations, brainstorming sessions, and shared meals. These activities
strengthened partnerships among participants to help the island respond to climate change challenges. Workshop results will be
incorporated into the strategic plan for the ponds and upland areas. Participants are revising K-6 educational curricula to
incorporate climate change, producing a climate change video featuring Moloka'i kupuna (community elders), conducting
community meetings, and developing a community engagement protocol to help scientists work with other small communities
throughout Hawai'i and the Pacific. By sharing lessons from these projects, Moloka'i is helping anticipate, prepare and plan for
climate change in cooperation with specialists in the scientific and cultural management communities.
For a comprehensive view of projected climate changes in your region, consult:
,sessment
EPA's Climate Change Adaptation Resource Ce
JUNE 2016
OFFICE OF POLICY
EPA-230-F-16-020
------- |