Triple Inequality- Fiji

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The developing and middle income countries feel the affects of climate change the most. These countries face “triple inequality” they are less responsible for climate change, they are more impacted by it, and they have less capacity to adapt to problems that happen because of climate change. I am going to focus on one country Fiji. I read an article a couple of mouths ago about how Fiji, which is considered a middle income country, is going to have to spend billions of dollars to adapt to climate change. Yet it is clear that a tiny island country like Fiji does not have a big impact on climate change.

Fiji is already seeing affects of climate change, one of the major problems being worsening storms. It is said that the island will need to spend over $4 billion to strength it’s road systems and to protect it’s water supplies, healthcare, and education resources. Fiji is also expecting to have a significant sea level rise, as much as one meter by the end of the century. The physical effects that the people of Fiji will see are startling but there will also be massive economic affects to the country because of climate change. It is estimated that by 2050 the countries GDP will be down by 50%.

This means that for the people of Fiji there will be less money to spend on essentials like food and water. Will the country have enough money and resources to import more food if their agriculture sector reduces significantly? Countries like Fiji will see and feel the enormous impact that climate change will have. They will suffer greatly if they can’t strengthen their resources now. However, Fiji has added little to the problem of climate change.

Source:

Slezak, Michael. “Fiji Told it Must Spend Billions to Adapt to Climate Change.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 9 Nov. 2017, www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/nov/10/fiji-told-it-must-spend-billions-to-adapt-to-climate-change?CMP=share_btn_link.

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