Sea level rising in South Pacific

Year level: Upper secondary Learning outcome Students will investigate the complexity of gathering accurate records about sea level changes and how the information is used to assist people living in the Pacific. Read South Pacific Sea Level and Climate Monitoring Project Explain How and why is climate changing? What are some of the ways Pacific Islanders might be affected by climate change? Why are the Pacific Islands particularly vulnerable to climate change? How are accurate records for sea level changes being gathered? What factors contribute to changing sea levels in Pacific Islands? Why are accurate long-term records necessary to gauge real change in sea levels? Examine a map of the Pacific Islands (AusAID has one available). Use the CIA fact Book https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html and the UNDP Human Development Report http://hdr.undp.org to fill out the information in the following table for Australia and selected Pacific Island countries. Country Terrain Elevation extremes GDP per capita % of population involved with agriculture Urban Population (% of total) Access to safe water Traditional fuel consumption Carbon Dioxide emissions per capita                                       Use the information from the table to discuss: What is the Pacific Islanders’ contribution to climate change? How might the characteristics of the selected Pacific Islands affect their ability to adapt to climate change? Find the trend rates for sea level changes from Australian sea-level monitoring station near where you live http://www.bom.gov.au/oceanography/projects/abslmp/abslmp.shtml Describe the likely impact of sea level change for 20 and 50 years into the future in the coastal area near where you live and a selected Pacific Island with reference to: The physical environment (landform and flora and fauna) The built environment (houses roads, industry, recreational facilities etc) The economic activity in the area Investigate some ways that the impact of sea level changes can be addressed. Assessment task Prepare a discussion paper outlining the responsibility Australia has to help address the impact of climate change on Pacific Islanders. Evaluate some of hte ways Australia might do this.