Climate change, disasters and cooperation in SIDS

The degradation, pollution and destruction of the natural environment have become a serious challenge in many countries of the Global South, including Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The challenges also include natural hazards that have the potential to become serious disasters. Societies located on small islands are particularly exposed to such events. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) stated in its 6th assessment report that climate change would worsen existing poverty, exacerbate inequalities and unsettle livelihoods in future. Climate change and it impacts particularly affect SIDS. Many of them are located in the Pacific Island region and the Caribbean Sea. Although there are differences between island societies, they have many aspects in common, especially when we reflect on climate change: 1) they have not contributed to the generation of the challenge. Their per capita emissions of Green House Gases (GHG) are miniscule. Their total emissions are even smaller. 2) Despite their insignificant contribution to climate change, SIDS are among the most severely affected countries by climate change, and 3) they usually do not have the resources, capabilities and capacities to confront the challenges they are exposed to