Climate change and geopolitics in the Blue Pacific

• Main Author: Goh, Danielle Lynn
• Other Authors: S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies
• Format: Commentary
• Language: English
• Published: 2024
• Subjects: Social sciences::Political science; Country and Region Studies; International Politics and Security
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/173051
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Climate change has consistently been articulated as the greatest threat to the region by the leaders of Pacific Island countries. Atoll nations face the possibility of forced displacement due to rising sea levels and extreme weather events. At the same time, these countries risk being drawn into the China-US competition for geopolitical influence even though this rivalry provides opportunities for them to engage with the big powers to deal with climate change. The Pacific island countries have also been strengthening their regional security through a more unified approach, established in their 2050 Blue Pacific Strategy.