Vanuatu, an archipelago of over 80 islands in the South Pacific, is among the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations. With much of its population and infrastructure along the coast, even small rises in sea level have profound impacts. Saltwater intrusion affects freshwater supplies and degrades soil, making traditional farming harder and threatening food security. Coastal ecosystems, including coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves, provide essential biodiversity and shoreline protection but are under increasing threat from rising seas, ocean warming, and acidification.
The country’s economy, dependent on subsistence agriculture, fishing, and tourism, is similarly exposed. Coastal erosion and flooding damage infrastructure and cultural sites, while disrupting key sectors like ecotourism. Frequent climate-related disasters divert resources from other priorities like education and health. Socially, displacement is already forcing communities inland, but land scarcity and traditional ownership systems complicate this process. Women, heavily involved in agriculture and community life, face unique challenges as environmental change destabilizes daily routines and livelihoods.
Studying sea level rise in Vanuatu is crucial for understanding how small island nations can adapt to a changing climate, highlighting the intersection of local knowledge, global responsibility, and the urgent need for international support and sustainable policies.