Kosrae: Another Sinking Island

Kosrae Island – the unblemished jewel of Micronesia. Its crystal waters peppered with fringing coral reefs and colourful marine life makes it the perfect place to relax in a hammock. It’s as if nothing could mar this pristine beauty.

Unfortunately, things aren’t always sunny in Kosrae. Simpson Abraham, coordinator for the Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change (PACC), told The Verb about the fragility of the island.

“Eighty percent of Kosrae’s coastline is experiencing coastal erosion where about seventy percent of the population and infrastructure are.”

This is causing significant sand loss and shoreline recession, which has already caused major damage as agriculture yields and biodiversity plummet.

“Things are physically happening that people can really see today.”

With sea level rising 10mm a year in Micronesia, compared to the global average of 3.2mm, it would seem coastal erosion and storm surges are only going to exacerbate.

Locals have adopted many adaptation measures, such as planting trees and building seawalls, to “climate proof” their white sand shorelines. The establishment of seawalls, which at best is a bandaid solution, has led to the loss of cultural heritage with the dismantling of ancient ruins.

Islanders who have struggled to keep their homes and crops above sea level have been forced into migrating inland or completely off the island. Within the last decade alone Kosrae’s population has declined from 7,686 to 6, 616.

PACC is working on temporary and long term solutions, but Abraham noted that much more help is needed from the international community if Kosrae is to survive.

“What we want to see now is the international community help out with some resources for these adaptation options that can immediately revert the situation.”

“Because really we have no choice now. So, we are hoping COP will take this seriously.”

By Gabrielle Donohue, photo by Laura Owsianka.