Dr Tommy Fellowes of the University of Sydney recently led a study of 56 low-lying Australian coral islands. They were assessed based on how susceptible they are to sea level rise and marine heatwaves that can kill reefs that supply sediment to keep the islands stable.
There are hundreds of coral islands, but the researches chose to study 56 because of their strategic importance and as enough information was available to make assessments. The islands were put into 5 categories from low risk to very high risk.
Fate Of Multiple Islands Now Hanging In The Balance
It has been found that more than a dozen Australian coral islands that help to extend the country’s maritime jurisdiction are at risk of disappearing due to climate change. The fate of the low-lying islands is known to now be hanging in the balance.
Rising sea levels, marine heatwaves, ocean acidification and intensifying disasters are compounding the risk. How international law will deal with islands that extend the jurisdiction of countries, but could soon disappear, has become a problematic issue.
The risk assessments are based on current conditions. But Fellowes said factors such as storms and rising oceans are likely to exacerbate due to climate change. No time frames have been put on when areas could disappear for good.
Island territories grant rights to the countries that own them. Highlighting sea level rise as “probably the most notable threat” facing the islands, Fellowes said the resilience of these entities was “a matter of strategic importance for … coastal management.”
Sovereignty Lost When Low-Lying Reefs Disappear
Maritime territories grant sovereign rights over critical resources. Within a maritime zone, Australia applies its own laws and regulations about rights to explore for resources such as oil and gas, or to apply environmental protections such as creating marine parks.
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The study put three islands on North West Shelf – Scott, Clerke and Imperieuse reefs – under the “very high risk” category and the most vulnerable. In addition, 11 islands – all in the Coral Sea off the Queensland coast, are being considered high risk.
