15/10/15
Small islands caught between development and disaster
The atoll Malé, capital of the Maldives. It takes under two hours to walk around the island, which is almost entirely urban and paved at sea level — there is virtually no natural coastline left
Ilan Kelman
A short downpour in Malé, the capital of the Maldives, can flood local streets. The drainage system is effectively at sea level, and there is little room to improve the system
Ilan Kelman
Rubbish burns on a more remote atoll of the Maldives, south of the capital. It’s too difficult and expensive to transport rubbish off islands such as this, even for recycling. This leaves little option but to reduce waste and burn what is left, polluting the atmosphere
Ilan Kelman
New Providence, Bahamas — a low-lying island where beaches are disappearing and the ocean encroaches onto the road. Yet hotel construction can be seen in the background, raising questions about the degree to which poor development contributes to coastline change by, for example, removing vegetation
Ilan Kelman
The roof on this house in Samoa was reported to have been damaged in a cyclone. Simple construction and maintenance techniques can prevent damage to housing in a disaster
Ilan Kelman
Living at sea level in Samoa. The practice of extending housing into the ocean may be considered an adaptation to pressures such as population density, or a maladaptation to climate change risks such as cyclones and rising seas
Ilan Kelman
The Seychelles is tackling coastal erosion by building a non-intrusive wall along the coastline, and by creating a coastal community park for Seychellois and tourists
Ilan Kelman
A coral wall in front of Tonga's low-lying capital Nuku'alofa. The wall provides recreational space and alleviates erosion. But how long will it last under rising seas?
Ilan Kelman
A sea wall in the northwest of Tonga's main island, Tongatapu. The sea could one day bypass it, or undermine and wash it away, but there are few alternatives for protecting the land behind
Ilan Kelman
Mangroves around Tonga's coastlines. They are not perfect solutions but can sometimes reduce damage from coastal erosion, tsunamis and cyclones. Mangroves are often protected and restored for this purpose
Ilan Kelman
A boardwalk is built through small tracts of mangroves in Paraquita Bay, British Virgin Islands, without disrupting the ecosystem. The aim is to educate islanders and tourists about the importance of mangroves and their uses, such as fishing
Ilan Kelman
By: Ilan Kelman
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Small island developing states (SIDS) have been at the frontline of debates about climate change. They are among the first to experience its impacts. And this spurs them on to be at the forefront of tackling these challenges through actions such as environmental stewardship; policies on waste, transport, and energy; and lobbying at international meetings.
What does vulnerability to climate change look like in SIDS, and how do they go about adapting to climate change? This image gallery offers a snapshot from islands across the Atlantic, Indian and South Pacific oceans.
The images reveal a tension that can emerge between quick fixes and long-term development. Large-scale resort developments for tourism, for example, may bring in some cash but can also damage beaches and ecosystems, leaving inland infrastructure vulnerable to waves and storms.
The challenges facing SIDS illustrate how development, disaster risk, and climate change are connected, spelling a need to find a balance between improving livelihoods and achieving sustainability.
This article is part of our Spotlight on Joint action on climate change.