Sinking Atolls Threaten Thousands in Papua New Guinea

Text of report by Papua New Guinea newspaper The National website on 23 October

The atolls in Manus Province face threat of sinking due to rising sea level as a result of climatic changes. So far eight smaller islands were reported to have already sunk. Alarmingly measurements taken from the sea levels gadget located at the Momote airport showed that the sea level is rising at 8 mm a year.

Manus has a population of about 50,000, in which 40 per cent live on the outer smaller islands, and if worse comes to worse about 25,000 people would have to be relocated.

Manus along with the Autonomous Region of Bougainville and Milne Bay Province are experiencing the effects of rising sea levels. Experts predicted that in 10-30 years the atolls in those affected provinces would be under water and people would have to be relocated. Pollution was the major contributor to climatic change and had brought about changes in the environment in which PNG is now experiencing.

Apart from the rising sea levels in the Islands region, killer diseases like malaria had reportedly reached the Highlands region. People living in higher altitude areas are now able to plant betelnut and coconut trees that do not normally grow in such places before.

Originally published by The National website, Port Moresby, in English 23 Oct 07.

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