Climate Change: A Long-Term Threat with Immediate and Widespread Impact

As with many of the Pacific’s low-lying islands, negative impacts from Climate Change pose a challenge for Palau. Rising sea temperatures cause widespread coral bleaching, threatening Palau’s tourism industry and fisheries livelihoods. Sea level rise threatens outer island atolls and coastal habitats, as well as the communities and animal populations that rely on them. Droughts threaten the high island of Babeldaob and vulnerable outer islands, reducing water availability for people and ecosystems. Increased storm intensity and frequency threaten homes and habitats. However, Palau’s communities and ecosystems are both strong and flexible, and adaptation offers a way to reduce vulnerability to predicted climate change impacts.

Help Palau’s communities adapt to Climate Change. Donate now!

PCS Works to Increase Community and Ecosystem Resilience

PCS has developed a Climate Change Strategy to complement our 2010-2015 Strategic Plan. Learn more.

PCS works with communities to reduce sensitivity, exposure, and vulnerability to Climate Change. PCS works with communities and state governments to identify and protect resilient areas for biodiversity, particularly those with decreased sensitivity or exposure to increased sea temperatures and bleaching. Management planning for protected areas builds in long-term adaptive capacity for sites, such as through the extension of boundaries to include buffer zones.

Learn more about our Conservation and Protected Areas Program and our efforts to increase natural adaptive capacity through comprehensive management planning.

PCS also advocates for comprehensive Land Use Planning that incorporates community-based adaptation, such as high elevation taro patches and access to multiple water sources, into long-term development plans.

Learn more about our Policy and Planning Program and our efforts to build adaptive capacity in our communities.

As a full partner to BirdLife International, PCS has adopted a global position on Climate Change. Learn more.