Committee: Ecology
Session: 30th Annual EAMUN
Sponsor: Palau
Advisor: Mr. Richard Walls
Ambassador: Louise Oftedal
Page 1 of 2
THE QUESTION OF MITIGATING THE EFFECTS OF RISING SEA LEVELS IN
THE PACIFIC
The General Assembly,
Noting with grave concern that global sea levels are rising, which lead to:
a.
Coastal flooding,
b.
Coastal erosion,
Aware that saline intrusion and pollution of groundwater as well as reduced
rainfall strains the already limited sources of freshwater on smaller Pacific Islands,
Having devoted attention to the issues arising from the intensification of the El
Niño-phenomenon1:
a.
Drought or extreme rainfall in different regions,
b.
Changes in sea surface temperatures,
Noting with regret that entire eco-systems and the unique biodiversity of many
islands are threatened by irregularities of the Southern Oscillation, as well as changes in
precipitation and temperature,
Noting further the difficulties in determining the relationship between the
Southern Oscillation and human impact on the environment,
Observing effects of a global rise in sea temperatures, including:
a.
Threatened ecosystems,
b.
Endangered species,
c.
Weakened fish stocks,
1.
Urges UNDP to support Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) to adjust
and fortify infrastructure and human settlements in coastal areas exposed to the effects of
rising sea levels;
2.
Suggests that UNDP reserves 800 million USD for financing desalination
plants in Pacific islands with limited freshwater supplies;
1
The quasi-periodic Southern Oscillation-El Niño/La Niña, also called ENSO, is a climate
pattern occurring approximately every five years across the tropical Pacific Ocean. It results in
surface temperature variations in the Pacific and extreme weather conditions.
Committee: Ecology
Session: 30th Annual EAMUN
Sponsor: Palau
Advisor: Mr. Richard Walls
Ambassador: Louise Oftedal
Page 2 of 2
3.
Supports the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), UNESCO’s
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) and Global Ocean Observing
System (GOOS) in further research of the Southern Oscillation and the relationship
between human impact on the environment and ENSO;
4.
Requests UNESCO to prepare and educate inhabitants in areas exposed to
the extreme effects of the El Niño-phenomenon in hazard mitigation;
5.
Expresses its conviction that operative clauses 3 and 4 will further
increase the understanding of the effects of the global rise in sea temperatures;
6.
resolution.
Welcomes any constructive suggestions to further strengthen this