AOSIS and the climate crisis

The Alliance of Small Island States - AOSIS - has a lot to say about climate change. And who could blame them? These are the islands and communities that will feel the most devastating impact climate change can bring. This isn't just about mild inconvenience. Entire islands are facing a future where they will be submerged by rising sea levels. It doesn't get more serious than that.

So who are the members of AOSIS? These are a coalition of 44 small islands and low lying coastal developing states, including five who have 'observer' status. You will find them throughout the African, Indian, and South China seas, in the Caribbean, and in the Pacific Ocean. Have you been on holiday recently to places like the Seychelles, Barbados, or Mauritius? Then you have visited one of the AOSIS!

Remember how beautiful these places looked? If we don't do something about our climate crisis, these beautiful views might be no more. Still not convinced we have a problem? Well, look at it this way. More than half the territory of the Maldives is less than a metre above sea level. If global temperatures rise by around 1.5 °C, the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) predicts that sea levels could rise by 26 to 77 centimetres by 2100.

It isn't just sea level rise that is a threat to AOSIS. The impact of flooding caused by increasingly powerful storms is also going to devastate these communities and the industries they are a part of, like farming and fishing. In short, anything we complain about in nations where we are inconvenienced by extreme weather could see the literal end of these small islands and low level coastal states.

So what is AOSIS trying to do to make a difference and protect their futures? AOSIS has implemented changes so their energy efficiency and sustainable development is as good as possible. Many have climate resilience projects in place to tackle the impact of climate change on their doorsteps. AOSIS also aims to help raise marginalised voices who fear for their lives and livelihoods if nothing is done to protect our planet.

The core focus of the AOSIS campaign is to raise awareness about climate change, sustainable development, and ocean conservation. These islands and communities are leading the way with action on climate change and these other concerns, while other, richer nations stall to do anything to change their ways. What is it going to take for the world to understand the real threat of this global crisis, and do what needs to be done?