Climate change causes islands to disappear | 60 Minutes Australia

Summary

The Solomon Islands, a remote paradise in the Pacific, faces an alarming reality of climate change with islands vanishing at an unprecedented rate. Dr. Simon Talbot's research reveals that in just two decades, some islands have shrunk by half or disappeared entirely, with sea levels rising three times the global average. The impact is not only environmental but also cultural and economic, as homes and livelihoods are washed away. This serves as a stark warning of what could happen globally if climate change is not addressed.

Takeaways

• 🌊 The northwestern end of the Solomon Islands is experiencing rapid sea level rise, with rates three times the global average, causing significant environmental and societal impacts.
• 🏠 Local houses are falling into the ocean due to the accelerated sea level rise, which is a direct consequence of climate change for the inhabitants of these islands.
• 📚 Dr. Simon Talbot's research, initiated during his PhD, has documented the disappearance of islands and the impact of logging runoff on coral reefs in the Solomon Islands.
• 🗺️ Historical surveillance photos from World War II, found in Honiara, have been used to compare and document the loss of landmass in the Solomon Islands over the decades.
• 🏝️ Sodor Mo Island has lost over half of its land area since 2002, indicating a dramatic and rapid change in the landscape due to sea level rise.
• 🌳 Ancient trees, some over 250 years old, are being lost to the ocean, which destabilizes the islands and makes them more vulnerable to erosion and disappearance.
• 📈 Sea levels in the Solomon Islands have risen over 15 centimeters in the past 20 years, a rate that is predicted to be experienced globally over the next century.
• 🏡 Entire islands, including Kea Carley Island, have disappeared, affecting the cultural heritage and livelihoods of local communities who relied on them for sustenance and recreation.
• 🌊 The loss of land is not only impacting human settlements but also wildlife, such as the Hawksbill turtle, whose nesting beaches are being eroded away.
• 🌐 The situation in the Solomon Islands serves as a warning and a 'looking glass' into the potential future effects of climate change and sea level rise worldwide.
• 🙌 The script emphasizes the need for global action on climate change, urging for unity and leadership to address the undeniable impact it has on vulnerable communities and ecosystems.

Q & A

What is the current situation of the Solomon Islands in terms of sea level rise?

The Solomon Islands are experiencing sea level rise at a rate of 7 to 10 millimeters per year, which is three times the global average of 3.5 millimeters per year. This rapid rise is causing islands to disappear and houses to fall into the ocean.

How does climate change impact the islands of the Solomons?

Climate change is causing the sea levels to rise, which is not only threatening the existence of the islands but also the livelihoods of the people who live there. It's leading to the disappearance of islands, loss of land, and the destruction of homes and infrastructure.

What role did historical surveillance photos play in Dr. Simon Talbot's research?

Dr. Simon Talbot used historical surveillance photos from World War II to compare the current state of the islands with their past. This comparison helped illustrate the extent of the islands' erosion and the impact of sea level rise.

What was the significance of the island of Sodor Mo in Dr. Talbot's study?

Sodor Mo was a significant case study for Dr. Talbot as it showed a drastic change in just 16 years, with half of the island being lost to sea level rise. This island was once intact and stable but is now largely underwater.

How have the local people of the Solomon Islands been affected by the sea level rise?

The local people have been directly impacted by the loss of land and homes. They are facing the loss of cultural assets and livelihoods, as their islands are shrinking and some have disappeared entirely.

What is the impact of sea level rise on the wildlife, specifically the Hawksbill turtles?

The rising sea levels are washing away the beaches that Hawksbill turtles use for nesting. This habitat loss is jeopardizing the future of the species, as their nesting grounds are shrinking dramatically.

What does the future hold for the Solomon Islands if the current trend of sea level rise continues?

If the trend continues, the Solomon Islands could face the complete disappearance of some islands, further loss of land, and significant impacts on the livelihoods of the people and the local ecosystem.

How does the script describe the attitude of the people living in the Solomon Islands towards their changing environment?

The script describes the people as strong and proud, not asking much from the planet and not being victims. They are hanging onto their land and trying to adapt to the changes, despite the challenges.

What is the significance of the seaweed islands in the context of the script?

The seaweed islands represent one of the most vulnerable areas in the Solomons archipelago, where the local people are facing the harsh reality of climate change, with their homes and livelihoods at risk due to sea level rise.

What is the role of the Anua Ure Island group as described in the script?

The Anua Ure Island group is the first and only National Park in the Solomon Islands. It is a critical nesting ground for Hawksbill turtles, and efforts are being made to document and protect it from the impacts of sea level rise.

What message does Dr. Simon Albert convey about the need for global action on climate change?

Dr. Simon Albert emphasizes the need to take climate pressures seriously and to move beyond political divisiveness. He calls for global leadership and action, recognizing that the impacts of inaction will be felt not just in the Solomons but worldwide.

Outlines

00:00

🌊 Vanishing Islands of the Solomons

The Solomon Islands, particularly the northwestern end, are facing the devastating effects of climate change, with sea levels rising at a rate three times the global average. Dr. Simon Talbot's research, initially focused on the impact of logging on coral reefs, expanded to include the study of disappearing islands. Utilizing wartime surveillance photos, he documented the rapid submersion of islands like Sodor Mo, which lost over half of its landmass in just 16 years. The loss of these islands, home to ancient trees and wildlife, is not only an environmental crisis but also a cultural and livelihood disaster for the local communities.

05:01

📈 Unprecedented Sea Level Rise in Solomon Islands

Over the past two decades, the Solomon Islands have experienced sea level rise rates exceeding the global average, with significant consequences for the islands' geography and inhabitants. The high tide has breached some islands, causing erosion from both sides and leading to the disappearance of entire landmasses. The increase in sea levels, attributed to climate change and the impact of trade winds, is a precursor to what the rest of the world may face in the coming century. Dr. Simon Albert's research indicates that 1/3 of the 33 studied islands have partially sunk or disappeared, underscoring the urgency of addressing climate change.

10:03

🏠 The Human Impact of Disappearing Land

The human cost of the Solomon Islands' vanishing land is profound, affecting the lives of residents who are witnessing their homes and livelihoods being washed away. Entire communities, such as the seaweed islands' inhabitants, are grappling with the reality of losing their land to the sea. The loss of land is not only a threat to their homes but also to their means of subsistence, such as fishing and seaweed farming. The narrative of the islanders, like Glarus Hibou, who has seen her family's island vanish, highlights the personal and cultural loss caused by climate change.

15:03

🐢 The Ecological Consequences of Eroding Beaches

The ecological impact of the Solomon Islands' eroding beaches extends to the wildlife, including the Hawksbill turtle, whose nesting grounds are being washed away. The shrinking beaches, once wide enough to support a thriving turtle population, have dramatically reduced the available habitat for these creatures. Simon Albert's work with park rangers documents this beach loss, emphasizing the global significance of preserving these species. The Solomon Islands' situation serves as a stark warning of the broader implications of climate change on both human communities and the natural world.

Keywords

💡Solomon Islands

The Solomon Islands is an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, known for its stunning landscapes and cultural heritage. In the video, it is highlighted as a region severely affected by climate change, particularly sea level rise, which is causing islands to vanish and threatening the livelihoods of its inhabitants.

💡Climate Change

Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns, primarily as a result of human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation. The video emphasizes that climate change is not a distant threat but a pressing reality for the Solomon Islands, causing rapid sea level rise and the disappearance of islands.

💡Sea Level Rise

Sea level rise is the increase in the volume of water in the world's oceans, which can be caused by melting glaciers and thermal expansion of seawater due to warming. The video documents the accelerated rate of sea level rise in the Solomon Islands, which is significantly higher than the global average, leading to the loss of land and homes.

💡Island Disappearance

Island disappearance refers to the process where islands are submerged due to rising sea levels or other natural disasters. The script describes how several islands in the Solomons have shrunk or disappeared completely, illustrating the tangible effects of climate change on these communities.

💡Logging Runoff

Logging runoff is the waste material, including soil, chemicals, and debris, that flows into water bodies as a result of logging activities. Dr. Simon Talbot initially came to the Solomon Islands to study the impact of logging runoff on coral reefs, but his research expanded to include the broader effects of climate change.

💡Coral Reefs

Coral reefs are underwater ecosystems composed of coral polyps, which are sensitive to environmental changes. The health of coral reefs is crucial for the biodiversity and coastal protection they provide. In the video, Dr. Talbot's research into the impact of logging runoff on these ecosystems is mentioned, indicating their vulnerability to human activities.

💡Wartime Surveillance Photos

Wartime surveillance photos are images taken during times of conflict for intelligence purposes. Dr. Simon Talbot discovered an archive of such photos in Honiara, which he used to compare past and present landscapes of the islands, revealing the extent of land loss due to sea level rise.

💡Hawksbill Turtle

The Hawksbill turtle is a critically endangered marine species known for its beautiful shell patterns. The video mentions the impact of beach erosion on their nesting grounds, illustrating how climate change affects not only human communities but also wildlife.

💡National Park

A National Park is an area designated for the protection and enjoyment of natural landscapes and wildlife. The video refers to the Anua National Park in the Solomon Islands, which is the country's first and only National Park, highlighting the importance of conservation efforts in the face of climate change.

💡Cyclone

A cyclone is a large storm system characterized by low pressure, strong winds, and heavy rainfall. The video script mentions the vulnerability of the Solomon Islands to cyclones, which, combined with rising sea levels, pose a significant threat to the islands and their inhabitants.

💡Ecosystem Resilience

Ecosystem resilience refers to the ability of an ecosystem to withstand or recover from disturbances. The video discusses the impact of climate change on the resilience of the Solomon Islands' ecosystems, emphasizing the need for understanding and preserving the natural systems that support both human and wildlife communities.

Highlights

The northwestern end of the Solomon Islands is experiencing rapid sea level rise, with some areas seeing three times the global average.

Climate change is causing islands to disappear, with houses falling into the ocean.

Dr. Simon Talbot's research indicates that some islands have lost over half their landmass in just 16 years.

Ancient trees, which help stabilize islands, are being lost to the rising sea levels.

The Solomon Islands' sea level rise could be a preview of what the rest of the world will experience by the end of the century.

Simon discovered that six out of 33 studied islands have shrunk by up to half, and five have completely disappeared.

Locals have witnessed the rapid disappearance of islands that were once used for picnics and fishing.

The loss of islands is not just environmental; it also affects the cultural and livelihood assets of the people.

Rising sea levels are causing the loss of homes and threatening the very existence of some villages.

The human impact of climate change is evident in the Solomon Islands, with people facing the loss of their homes and livelihoods.

Wildlife, such as the Hawksbill turtle, is also threatened by the loss of nesting beaches due to sea level rise.

The Anua Island group, a national park, is seeing a dramatic reduction in beach size, affecting turtle nesting grounds.

The Solomon Islands serve as a natural laboratory for understanding the impacts of climate change on islands.

The people of the Solomon Islands are resilient and strong, despite the imminent threat of losing their homes.

The situation in the Solomon Islands is a call to action for the global community to address climate change.

Dr. Simon Albert emphasizes the need for global leadership and action to combat the effects of climate change.

Transcripts

the north western end of the Solomon

Islands is one of the most stunning and

remote parts of the Pacific Ocean but

its isolation offers little protection

the world is catching up with this place

very fast and in effect drowning it you

think the whole island will eventually

disappear yeah this iron will be

disappear climate change is not an

abstract notion for these islands these

houses are really falling into the ocean

aren't they yeah yeah these are swirling

falling to the ocean or the people who

call them home

whilst the global average sea level rise

rates are running at about

three-and-a-half millimeters a year here

in the Solomons the last two decades

have seen three times that rate so

between seven and ten millimeters a year

so this is way above the world average

that's right it gives us a unique

opportunity to provide this sort of

looking glass into the future of how we

expect the rest of the world to

experience sea level rise rates towards

the end of this century 39 year old dr.

Simon Talbot first came to the Solomon

Islands as a young PhD student from the

University of Queensland to study the

impact of logging runoff on coral reefs

then he started to hear stories of

islands that had simply vanished off the

map an elderly gentleman on the boat

with us he started explaining that there

were these these islands that he used to

camp on as a as a child and we'll just

out middle the ocean looking at a at a

coral reef with with no island in sight

[Music]

the battle for Guadalcanal in the heart

of the Solomon Islands was a critical

turning point in world war two for the

Allies we surprised the jam and the

landings were easy

Simon learnt there was an archive of

thousands of wartime surveillance photos

in the present-day capital of Honiara

and decided to investigate where they

kept well were they all catalogued

no archive is a very generous term I

mean this is we're talking about a room

which is fundamentally a dumping ground

of old moldy rat eating photographs in

no particular order so it's a enormous

job to start sifting through those

systematically and trying to put those

trends together Simon focused his

research on a group of islands in the

northwest of the Solomons just off Santa

Isabel

it's where we're motoring now towards

the island of sodor mo or what's left of

it

landable once on an island here now

we're driving a boat across it it's just

mind-blowing really and it wasn't for

that old imagery we would have no idea

that this in fact was quite intact

stable Island

by matching the old against the new

Simon was able to illustrate just how

much of this island is now underwater so

where we are here now Liam was an intact

island back in 2002 and since then half

of the island has been been lost to sea

level rise so it's only taken the last

16 in a bit years yeah that's right but

in fact these trees are quite ancient

trees we've dated them to at least 250

years old so these aren't just you know

small little shrubs that have come and

gone these are large stable trees that

occupied this this once

enormous island so it's not part of a

cycle or a trend no this is a very

distinct shift in what was a reasonably

stable baseline to a really sudden over

the last 20 years a sudden lawsuit of

the island the size of this tree yeah so

the mo Island has lost over 110,000

square metres in just two decades it's

not your average sort of palm tree

falling into the ocean that's right and

it's these these ancient massive trees

that provide that foundation that's

strength to really hold onto the islands

and stabilize the the island so once

these go it really makes the island a

lot more vulnerable to loss

[Music]

hard to believe but as recently as 20

years ago I would been walking in the

middle of this islands rainforest this

beautiful old cash arena was well and

truly in the heart of it as you can see

now sadly the ocean is lapping at its

roots and it will be most certainly the

next to go under it's the same story at

the nearby hitter hitter Island

where we're walking now this was island

in fact we had our lunch here about 18

months ago the shade of these these

trees that you can see around you so

it's quite dramatic 18 months ago

yeah it's lost about half its size in

the last couple of decades the high tide

broke through the island about here and

once that tidal motion could move

through it just slowly worked its way

from both sides and took out the rest of

the island

[Music]

in the past 20 years sea levels in the

Solomon Islands have risen over 15

centimeters partly through climate

change and partly because of trade winds

physically pushing water into this part

of the Pacific and these are the rates

that the entire globe is predicted to

experience over the next century so

what's happening here in the Solomons is

supposedly what's going out into the

rest of the world in the next 150 years

here was more than supposably now

unfortunately we've got irrefutable

evidence that the next hundred years is

going to see pushing towards a meter of

sea level rise globally what about

climate change deniers who most say to

you look hang on a minute this is just

all part of the natural cycle Islands

come and go sand shifts these things

happen that's certainly the case I mean

islands do come and go you know we see

small sandy K's that will you know

develop some very low-lying vegetation

for a few years and get washed away by

the next storm that's not what we're

talking about here these are large

islands that have been on these these

reef platforms for at least the last few

hundred years and the rates of change

we've seen over the last 20 years are

unprecedented in that history

of the 33 islands that Simon has studied

in the northern sector of the Solomons

six have shrunk by up to half their size

and five have disappeared altogether so

this is colleague Holly Island this is a

photo that I took in 2009 like this

pretty Island called Karli yeah it's one

of our favorite little islands for

picnics and fishing go out with my

family and just relax for the day Glarus

Hibou has just graduated from Monash

University with a pharmacy degree but

she grew up in this village called Kea

Carley Island was her family's

playground a short boat ride away have

you got any photos more recently yeah so

this is a photo I took in on 2014

exactly five years later

yeah just one day we decided to go for a

picnic and it's no longer there so yeah

it seems quite shocking that's how

quickly things are changing in this part

of the world

what has stood the test of time for

centuries has now been wiped off the map

so here we are where's the island gone

well unfortunately this is the endgame

you know the the wave energy and the sea

level rise has really just pushed this

island slowly off this deep edge and

it's been lost lost completely it's hard

to believe that Gladys and her family

had a barbecue on us every Christmas up

to 2012 these islands represent a lot

more than just a beautiful white sandy

beach and coconut palms you know these

are places that these local people use

on a daily basis for for family picnics

but also for fishing for feeding their

feeding their broader family so they're

critical to their their livelihood so

the the loss of these islands is the

loss of a cultural asset and a

livelihood asset for these people coming

up these are people that aren't asking a

lot of planet Earth

when waterfront real estate there's been

dozens of houses lost here to sea-level

rise is a life threatening curse the

beach near where each was over here so

here saving the Solomons how long has it

taken for this house to almost disappear

one year and the world has become so

political and so divisive and we need to

move beyond that we're smart enough

that's next on 60 minutes we're

traveling through rate a mile a passage

which is a very remote passage on the

western end of Isabel here in the

Solomons in one of the remotest parts

the western Pacific and this this place

is a there's a natural laboratory to try

and understand these climate pressures

on islands both in terms of sea level

rise but also the resilience and the

strength of the ecosystem

[Music]

it feels like we're in an inlet you have

to keep reminding yourself we're

actually in the ocean here we've got

2,000 kilometers of open ocean in that

direction and we're about to pop out

into the into the Solomon sea dr. Simon

Albert has devoted much of his

scientific career to the Solomon Islands

and its people this is a really pristine

part of the world it's a privilege to be

able to work and then and be here he's

taking me out to what the locals call

the seaweed islands on a beautiful day

such as this it's hard to fathom the

disturbing reality here these people are

on the frontline land and we talk a lot

about the impacts of sea level rise on

islands vegetation and environment but

the human element to it is so critical

and these people are literally facing it

on a day-to-day basis

[Music]

vegetation is one thing but when you see

that homes actually falling into the

ocean it's it's something else there's

been dozens of houses lost here to

sea-level rise just in the last 10 years

really and and that causes an enormous

impact on these people's livelihoods

this is Beniamino part of the seaweed

islands the most vulnerable of the

Solomons archipelago there's almost 200

men women and children who call this

tiny plot of land home and for them

climate change is not an academic debate

for a dinner party discussion it's the

reality of seeing their homes and

livelihoods washed away and the bleak

prospect of an uncertain future at best

this house is the next to go yes yeah

this house is next to go

this meant only sauce already go to the

village he's had to leave yeah have to

live been katoa lives here with his wife

and small son like everyone by scratch

out a meager existence selling dried

seaweed for about 70 cents a kilo he's

lived here six years but questions how

much longer they can last as I was

feeling falling to the ocean and where

was the beach before whereabouts what's

the sand sorry yeah yeah just before

this house the beach there when each was

over here it's over here down there and

how long is it taken for the beach to

come back here for this house to to

almost disappear one year waterfront

real estate has a whole new meaning out

here

rising sea levels make survival more

precarious by the day the fact is this

village is one cyclone away from

oblivion living with such uncertainty is

the awful reality for women like Jean

Taraka and Natalie Andrew I feel very

sorry about my islands getting small I

don't know where where I'm gonna moving

ladies you tell me I mean what's the

what's the future we don't who don't

think we have future but we just fight

for our own life we don't know what is

the future you don't think there is a

future Jane I'm king of the real future

that's that isn't it do you mean by that

you think the whole island will

eventually disappear yeah without doing

anything this island will be disappeared

and this has been your heart yes I don't

know where to move

[Music]

these are people that aren't asking a

lot of planet Earth you know they've got

a fairly small footprint on our planet

they're not asking much when we see

these people hanging onto sand and trees

and shrubs it makes what we have

insignificant doesn't it yeah it makes

our problems insignificant I'm

constantly in order of these people that

that they're not jumping up and down and

whinging and and being victims they're

they're strong proud people that have

lived here for thousands of years

of course it's not just people and

islands at risk from rising sea levels

it's also the wildlife ironically the

future of a marine creature such as the

Hawksbill turtle is in jeopardy too

because the beaches they nest in are

being washed away we talked to the

elders here and they estimate the

beaches were we're up to 100 metres wide

through the the 60s 70s and into the 80s

100 metres that's that's what led to

this area being such a critical you know

it's one of the major Hawksbill

rookeries in the western Pacific because

of those wide beaches Simon this is

hardly a hundred meters that's right

we've seen this quite dramatic recession

down to the beach size of you know more

in the order of ten to fifteen meters

now so obviously the real estate the

habitat available for these Turtles has

decreased dramatically

the nearby an of an island group is the

first and indeed only National Park in

the Solomon Islands

Simon Albert has been working here

documenting the beach loss with Park

Rangers like Frances root owners before

it was a sanctuary his people used to

hunt the turtles here now he's their

number one protector and it's important

for the rest of the world too isn't it

for preserving species like the turtle

yeah I really want all their world - I

do know that the turtle is very

important for us to buffer it yes so

you'll say your success is our success

yeah and as we all know that Hanan is

one of the nesting ground for all

settled so it's a setting for for the

animal nesting beaches gone

[Music]

of the 33 islands Simon has studied 1/3

have either partially sunk or

disappeared altogether

he says if we continue to ignore this

disturbing trend then it's not just the

Solomons but the whole world that's in

deep water we need to start to take

these climate pressures seriously it's

become so political and so divisive and

we need to move beyond that you know

we're smarter than that you know as

Australians as global citizens we've

we've got a great proud history of of

you know taking leadership in in these

issues and and for a range of reasons

climate change has really led us into a

vicious cycle of blame and trying to

pass the buck well when you hear in the

Solomons on an island that's

disappearing you can't pass the buck

very well can you yeah these people

they've gotten home to pass it to so I

think there's a little bit more we can

do to try and help not only these people

but eventually ourselves

[Music]

hello I'm Liam bartlett thanks for

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