Why Climate Change Matters for UKOTs
Climate change is
real
and considered to be the greatest threat facing humanity.
Though disparate, the UKOTs are all very vulnerable to the effects of climate
change. Several of the ecosystems found in the UKOTs, such as
mangroves and coral reefs in the Caribbean and Pacific, sea ice
biomes in the Antarctic, and Mediterranean-type ecosystems, are
among those that the IPCC has identified as “most vulnerable” and
“virtually certain to experience the most severe ecological
impacts” of climate change.
In addition, the UKOTs, with the exception of the British
Antarctic Territory and Gibraltar, are small islands, and small
islands are expected to experience some of the most severe impacts
of increasing temperatures.
The heightened vulnerability of the UKOTs to the effects of
climate change requires urgent action.
“…the UKOTs are very vulnerable to the effects
of climate change.”
For more information on the impacts of
climate change.