Christopher Pesci
1. RAPID RISE IN SEA LEVEL
-Global warming causes ice-caps to melt. Many predict this will cause an increase of at least 1 meter in sea level. Many AOSIS countries are less that a meter above sea level. Such increase in sea level could wipe out entire islands. "The modest rise in sea level that is accepted in the scientific community will inundate at least four low-lying Pacific island countries, and damage many more."
(Davis, Asia-Pacific Magazine,1996)
2. TEMPERATURE RISE
-An increase in the earth,s temperature has a very heavy impact on member of AOSIS due to their high latitudes. Since these countries' economies depend so heavily on agriculture, drastic climate changes could ruin a country.
3. GROWING POPULATION
-With limited space, population growth has an adverse effect on small island states.More land being used for housing and such decreases that which can be used for cropsand other species.
4. CORAL BLEACHING
-Global warming and pollution can be linked to the "bleaching" of corals. Warm water is usually attributed to the breakdown of zooxanthellae, a one celled plants, which form the outer layer of coral. Without zooxanthellae, corals cannot survive.
5. CO2 Emissions
-Most of previously stated concerns center on CO2 emissions. Global warming is amajor contributes to these concerns. Global warming is the result of Greenhouse Gases, primarily CO2. There is such a concern, members of AOSIS have submitted a protocol whichcalls for a 20% reduction in CO2 emissions by the year