Catalog

	Table of Contents
p. 7 of 29 BACK | NEXT Executive Summary I. Introduction II. Development Challenges A. Economic Growth B. Poverty C. Private Sector Development D. Environmental Degradation E. Gender III. Key Variables Influencing Development IV. External Assistance V. Review of ADB Assistance and Strategy VI. The New Pacific Strategy

A Pacific Strategy for the New Millennium : II. Development Challenges

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D. Environmental Degradation

18. Environmental problems are increasing. Several factors such as high population growth, poverty, urbanization, economic growth and the use of imported inappropriate technologies are creating environmental problems. Partly as a result of these pressures, traditional ways of managing the environment are now disappearing. Some pressing concerns include rapid deforestation, unsustainable and destructive exploitation of marine and mineral resources, poor waste management, inadequate sanitation, and urban pollution. In addition, the PDMCs include many small-island countries with vast geographic, ecological, and sociocultural diversity. The smaller the islands, the more immediate and severe are the consequences of inadequate environmental management and the greater the risks of cumulative collapse or catastrophic damage from climatic events. The most crucial environmental issues are in the areas of (i) natural resource conservation, (ii) waste disposal/management and pollution prevention, and (iii) climate change and sea level rise.

19. Natural resource conservation must become a priority. Pacific island people rely on natural resources to meet their traditional needs and increasingly to generate cash income, e.g., tourism. Rising material expectations and, in many cases, high population growth are placing considerable pressure on the limited land and coastal marine ecosystems and the biodiversity they contain. The PDMCs have high levels of species diversity and endemism that is among the most threatened in the world. Poor natural resource management, and poorly planned and implemented development projects and programs, (including fishing, logging, and mining activities) are depleting and compromising the natural resource base.

20. Waste management and pollution prevention are becoming increasingly important priorities. Many PDMCs share the problems of waste disposal and urban pollution. High population growth, particularly in urban areas, combined with limited land area and specific programs to stimulate economic growth are exacerbating these problems. Disposal of solid waste is a particular problem in very small islands where there is no space or infrastructure for safe disposal. Even in the larger islands recycling is rare, and most disposal is done through landfill. Wastewater pollution is also increasing with negative impacts on freshwater systems, enclosed coastal waters, aquifers, and groundwater lenses. Human sewage disposal is also a major problem and poses serious risks to human health and inshore fisheries. Management of toxic substances such as pesticides, waste oil, and heavy metals, including their transboundary movement, and pollution from ships is a serious concern for the region.

21. Climate change and sea level rise remain major potential problems. The majority of the Pacific peoples live in low-lying coastal areas that are particularly vulnerable to climate change, climate variability, and sea-level rise. The increased frequency and intensity of storms and cyclones, combined with even minor increases in sea level may cause major disruption to economic and social life, and even threaten the very existence of these countries, particularly the atoll nations. One very serious effect of a rising sea level would be its impact on freshwater lenses underlying atolls. The risk of saltwater intrusion will rise as the sea level rises, lateral leakage will increase, the groundwater lenses will become thinner, and saltwater will move within reach of pump intakes. Limited freshwater resources will be lost or at grave risk. In addition, as the sea level rises, saltwater will reach the roots of pit-grown taro, coconut palms, and other tree crops with clear negative effects on their production.

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