The Pacific Solution – A Catastrophe for the Pacific!?

Since climate change and sea-level rise is being discussed the fear that many people in the Pacific Islands might become homeless has entered academic and policy debates. It is difficult to say who is more afraid: politicians of countries that are potential destinations of environmental refugees or affected people, who realize that it is not at all a pleasure to lose the home, and that it is even a bigger nightmare to become a refugee. In 2001 the Australian Government started its Pacific Solution, a policy that should prevent refugees arriving by boat in Australia to seek (and achieve) the status of refugees. Three major elements have been implemented: 1) many islands have been excluded from Australian territory, 2) the Australian navy strictly controls the maritime borders of the country and intercepts boats carrying refugees, and 3) the Australian Government established detention centers on Manus Island (PNG) and Nauru providing security and other support to these centers and increasing aid to the respective countries. In 2013 a new element was added to the Pacific Solution: refugees arriving on boats anywhere in Australia will be processed and resettled on Manus Island or Nauru if found genuine refugees. Others can be detained there for unspecified time. Violent events around asylum seekers wanting to come to Australia and ended in the Australian immigration detention center on Manus Island and Nauru show that fears to be not welcome anywhere are not unjustified. This will surely increase angst amongst those who are threatened to lose their homes as a result of climate change and depend on support from other countries