By 2080 rising sea levels could cause seasonal waves to reach Ahu Tongariki, the iconic ceremonial platform that is part of the Rapa Nui National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site, according to a study published in the by a team of researchers from the University of Hawaiʻi
at Mānoa. This coastal flooding also threatens 51 cultural assets in the area, including Rapa Nui’s world-renowned moai statues.

“This research reveals a critical threat to the living culture and livelihood of Rapa Nui,” said Noah Paoa, lead author of the study and doctoral student in the in the ����Ӱҵ Mānoa (SOEST). “For the community, these sites are an essential part of reaffirming identity and support the revitalization of traditions. Economically, they are the backbone of the island’s tourism industry. Failure to address this threat could ultimately endanger the island’s UNESCO world heritage site status.”

“As we work to understand the impacts of future sea level rise, we provide information that not only enables us to maintain safe, functional spaces and infrastructure, but also to support thriving communities,” said Chip Fletcher, co-author of the study and dean of SOEST. “That means we must document threats to culturally significant places and assets, and develop plans to preserve and protect what matters to communities.”

Computer simulations reveal vulnerabilities

Paoa and his team built a detailed digital twin of the study site and used advanced computer models to simulate the wave environment along the coastline. They then mapped the projected flooding caused by waves under future sea level rise scenarios. The flood extent was then overlaid on geospatial layers containing the location of cultural assets provided to the team by local partners, which allowed the researchers to identify the cultural assets that will be flooded.

“Unfortunately, from a scientific standpoint, the findings are not surprising,” said Paoa. “We know that sea level rise poses a direct threat to coastlines globally. The critical question was not if the site would be impacted, but how soon and how severely. Our work aimed to set potential timelines by which we could expect the impacts to happen. Finding that waves could reach Ahu Tongariki by 2080 provides the specific, urgent data needed to incentivize community discussion and planning for the future.”

The challenges facing Rapa Nui mirror those in other coastal areas of the world, including Hawaiʻi.

“While Hawaiʻi is invested in protecting coastal infrastructure from sea level rise, the irreplaceable coastal cultural heritage sites in Hawaiʻi and across the Pacific face the same urgent threat,” Paoa added. “Our research in Rapa Nui serves as a vital blueprint, demonstrating how we can use science to forecast risks to sacred places, such as coastal heiau and ancestral burial sites. By developing and applying these methods we hope we can help protect what is precious to the people of Hawaiʻi—provided such work is guided by, and deemed appropriate by, the Native Hawaiian community.”

Paoa is now using available data on coastal flooding to examine potential sea level rise impacts on cultural assets in Hawaiʻi. In the future, he and the research team, in collaboration with local partners in Rapa Nui, plan to further investigate potential impacts of sea level rise on the island’s coastal cultural assets and examine adaptation and mitigation efforts to safeguard the cultural heritage.

Existing sea level rise models for coastal cities often overlook the impacts of rainfall on infrastructure. Researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� predicted that by 2050, large rain events combined with sea level rise could cause flooding severe enough to disrupt transportation and contaminate stormwater inlets (grate or curb opening in Waikīkī’s streets that collects rainwater and directs it into the storm drainage system) across 70% of Waikīkī, due to interactions with water in the Ala Wai Canal. Their study was .

“We’ve known that sea level rise will reduce the capacity for our drainage system to handle surface runoff, however, including rainfall events in our models showed that Waikīkī’s drainage infrastructure could fail sooner than we anticipated,” said Chloe Obara, lead author of the study who was a graduate student in the at the ����Ӱҵ ����ԴDz� (SOEST) at the time of this research. “This study highlights the importance of incorporating rainfall and drainage infrastructure into coastal flood models to better understand how drivers of coastal flooding change over time.”

“The many factors affecting flooding should be included in risk assessments and resiliency planning for Waikīkī and other coastal urban areas,” said Chip Fletcher, study co-author, director of the , and dean of SOEST. “Only with accurate information can we strategically mitigate urban flood risks in Honolulu’s tourism hub and other coastal areas.”

A similar example of this happened in early December 2021 when a storm system brought heavy rainfall to Oʻahu’s south shore, resulting in several feet of flooding along Kalākaua Avenue. The situation was worsened by a King Tide on the evening of December 6, which, combined with intense rainfall and onshore winds, overwhelmed the stormwater system and caused widespread drainage failure across Waikīkī.

Modeling Waikīkī’s storm drainage system

SOEST researchers developed a computer model of the Waikīkī storm drainage system. They also installed 10 sensors throughout the storm drainage system—including at street-level inlets and canal or oceanside outfalls—which recorded water depth during two rain events to calibrate and validate their model. They simulated various scenarios of sea level rise and rainfall to determine where and under what conditions the storm drainage system will experience failure.

They determined rainfall is the dominant driver of drainage backflow until sea level rises two feet. As sea levels rise further, tidal flooding becomes more influential. Once four feet of sea-level rise is reached, the dominant driver of drainage backflow was determined to be high tidal levels.

“Management practices aimed at reducing rainfall runoff will help minimize compound flooding in the short-term, but management to reduce tidal backflow, such as pumped drainage, is also urgent, as storm drains are presently impacted by high sea levels and will continue to fail as sea level rises,” said Obara.

More than 75% of the storm drainage system in Waikīkī is connected to the Ala Wai Canal, which is known to be heavily contaminated. Accounting for precipitation, the new study determined that 100% of the outfalls (end points where stormwater drains empty into the Ala Wai Canal or the ocean) of the Waikīkī storm drainage system will fail by 2050, causing backflow of potentially contaminated water.

“This research contributes to the growing body of knowledge warning of present and near future climate challenges that will affect transportation, recreation and accessibility in Waikīkī,” said Obara. “Additionally, it raises awareness of the potential health hazard posed by the presence of drainage backflow containing highly contaminated water from the Ala Wai Canal.”

With this research, the team aims to inform and prepare planners and managers so they can be better positioned to take action in Honolulu and across the state.

—By Marcie Grabowski

University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� students had the rare opportunity to learn from acclaimed environmental journalist Rosanna Xia during her visit in January. Xia, a Pulitzer Prize finalist and environmental reporter for the Los Angeles Times, shared her expertise on crafting compelling stories, connecting science and humanity and addressing critical climate change issues such as sea level rise.

Xia’s visit was organized by the university’s (ISR), where she met with PhD students researching sea level rise. The group toured sea level rise hotspots across the island, from the North Shore to Kahala, discussing sea level rise-related challenges and some of the strategies that are being utilized or considered for sea level rise response.

“I really enjoyed learning about her approach to journalism and storytelling about climate impacts and sea level rise in California, and how important it is to connect with and compassionately represent the stories of those who are experiencing the impacts of the climate crisis firsthand,” said Tanya Dreizin, PhD student in the .

Xia also led the workshop for journalism students “Crafting Compelling Stories: Lessons from a Pulitzer Prize Finalist.” Held in Associate Professor Youjeong Kim’s JOUR 330 class, the session focused on narrative-building techniques. Xia emphasized intention, ownership and responsibility in writing while guiding students through the process of integrating technical language with cinematic and sensory details.

“If writing is magic, Rosanna Xia is the magician who reveals her secrets behind the illusion. Not only did Xia expose the techniques but she also taught us how to apply them effectively,” said student Lauryn Johnson.

Xia concluded her visit with a public lecture, “Telling the Story of Sea Level Rise: Lessons from a Los Angeles Times Reporter.” As part of the , sponsored by SSFM International and co-hosted by ISR and the , the lecture drew an audience eager to hear Xia’s perspective on some of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time.

“Her talk was amazing and having the opportunity to spend the day with her was great—there’s so much more to learn from her and her knowledge of sea level rise cases in California,” said Renee Setter, PhD student in the .

A University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa-led project addressing for Waikīkī has received national recognition for its architectural innovation in pushing the boundaries of design. The project earned a design award from the Society of American Registered Architects (SARA) in New York City in October 2024.

“This national recognition from SARA underscores the widespread interest in using the latest science to inform the design of resilient buildings and communities that can change over time,” said Wendy Meguro, director of the ’s Environmental Research and Design Laboratory and the Hawaiʻi Sea Grant .

In Hawaiʻi, the team was among four nominees for the “Non-Profit or Government Climate Advocate” category at Climate �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s 2024 Climate Leadership Awards, recognizing its efforts in decarbonization and resilience, including research that suggests climate change will require more cooling for Honolulu multifamily buildings.

“It is an honor to contribute to this research, where design innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration are recognized for driving meaningful solutions that advance climate resilience and sustainability for �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s future,” said Josephine Briones, UH climate adaptation specialist.

Infrastructure relocation, utility elevation, stormwater management

In November 2024, the team’s research on “” was published in Technology/Architecture + Design. The research outlines a process to combine scientific data with stakeholder input to visualize future flood hazards and foster adaptation planning.

“Successful flood-resilience efforts will combine leading practices in planning, climate science, and architecture while remaining rooted in local perspectives,” said Melanie Lander, community planning and design extension agent.

Key strategies explored in the project include relocating critical infrastructure, elevating utilities and walkways, and integrating stormwater management systems. These solutions aim to address challenges such as coastal flooding and groundwater inundation while providing scalable models for other communities.

“In their most recent report, the IPCC stated that … sea level rise will continue for centuries to millennia after 2100,” said Chip Fletcher, interim dean of the . “Without policies that plan for and mitigate the impacts of sea level rise, Hawaiʻi risks becoming unsafe, uninsurable, and unaffordable. It is critically important that this type of architecture design work continues in order to build a future in which Hawaiʻi communities can thrive.”

The project involves ����Ӱҵ Mānoa’s School of Architecture, Hawaiʻi Sea Grant, and the Climate Resilience Collaborative.

The University of Hawaiʻi and the Department of the Navy (DoN) have signed a historic 10-year agreement to support the protection and management of natural and cultural resources on Navy and Marine Corps installations in Hawaiʻi. The agreement, which includes climate resilience support for bases and their surrounding areas, covers Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and Marine Corps Base Hawaiʻi on Oʻahu, and Pacific Missile Range Facility Barking Sands on Kauaʻi.

With increasing threats of extreme weather, defense programs throughout the U.S. are investing in collaborations that will allow them to better understand and address the ways severe weather and other hazards could impact military missions. The recently signed agreement enables the DoN to potentially fund ����Ӱҵ to conduct $10 million in projects and support services annually to enhance the Navy and Marine Corps’ resilience against environmental hazards.

The agreement, known as a renewable Intergovernmental Support Agreement, or IGSA, is the first in Hawaiʻi between an academic institution, Commander, Navy Region Hawaiʻi (CNRH), and Marine Corps Installations Pacific (MCIPAC).

Support services provided by ����Ӱҵ to CNRH and MCIPAC under this agreement may include, but are not limited to: biological assessment development, pest and predator control, marine debris removal, Integrated Natural Resource Management Plan implementation, curation services, Integrated Cultural Resource Management Plan implementation, engineering plans and implementation of Nature-based Solutions, floodplain analysis and mitigation, wildfire management and planning, hydrology/sea level rise mitigation, shoreline stabilization, Geographic Information System support, land/ocean/nearshore based surveys, and equipment and supply purchases.

The agreement, signed by Vassilis L. Syrmos and Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations and Environment Meredith Berger, provides the necessary framework for ����Ӱҵ to use its collective knowledge and resources—scientists, laboratories, students, and outreach programs—to help the DoN balance the critical needs and requirements of the nation’s defense with its ongoing natural and cultural resource responsibilities in Hawaiʻi.

“I am pleased that ����Ӱҵ was able to enter into this important agreement with the DoN,” said Syrmos. “Those who live and work in Hawaiʻi have a responsibility to be good stewards of the land and this partnership with the Navy signifies their willingness to fulfill their natural and cultural resource responsibilities by utilizing ����Ӱҵ’s knowledge and expertise in these areas.”

As a large part of its land-, sea-, space-grant mission, ����Ӱҵ works to leverage federal partnerships like the IGSA to provide meaningful impacts for the state in environmental and cultural management.

“We are proud to partner with the University of Hawaiʻi and will benefit tremendously from its world-class research, specialized training programs, and the traditional ecological knowledge that ����Ӱҵ incorporates into its educational program,” said Berger, who also serves as the DoN’s Chief Sustainability Officer. “As proud members of this community, we recognize our kuleana to protect Hawaiʻi’s environment and natural resources. When we care for this extraordinary place, we advance our diplomacy and reinforce our defense.”

Faculty in the University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz�’s (DURP), conducted a summer course in Indonesia designed to enable students to appreciate challenges of urbanization, climate change and resilience in the Global South. This is the third year ����Ӱҵ ����ԴDz� has offered a two-week immersive program in partnership with the urban and regional planning department at Diponegoro University (UNDIP) in Semarang.

“The courses offered faculty and students from both universities an opportunity to share their knowledge and creativity in responding to urban environmental problems,” said Priyam Das, an associate professor in DURP who co-designed the co-led joint course in Indonesia. “����Ӱҵ ����ԴDz� students learned about resilience and informality—of settlements, services and solutions—by engaging with local communities in Semarang.”

Neighborhood visits

During the course, students attended lectures, conducted field research, and visited local neighborhoods facing unique and significant challenges. Studio-style group work enabled students to collaboratively analyze problems and propose potential solutions. They shared their findings and ideas at public presentations that concluded the program.

“Immersive and collaborative international learning experiences are essential to equip future professionals with the skills and sensitivity needed to tackle the urban challenges of a globalized world,” said Ashok Das, an associate professor in DURP, who conceived the collaborative program and led its design.

Critical learning

����Ӱҵ ����ԴDz� graduate student Lahela Mattos took her first trip outside the U.S. to Indonesia. The kānaka ʻōiwi (Native Hawaiian) scholar is part of the program at DURP. She aspires to become a professional planner and create spaces that allow Indigenous peoples to reclaim and flourish their cultural identities.

“Being able to see the effects of SLR [sea level rise] really helped me to understand what we will be facing as urban planners…we realized that planning interventions are limited for places that have already been inundated,” Mattos said.

These courses have been partly supported by the LuceSEA Transitions: Environment, Society and Change grant awarded to ����Ӱҵ ����ԴDz�’s and .

DURP is housed in the ����Ӱҵ ����ԴDz� .

Nearly 100 undergraduate students from University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� and Leeward Community College, as well as other universities across the nation, showcased their projects at the 2024 (SURE) Symposium on August 2. Hosted annually by the ����Ӱҵ ����ԴDz� (UROP), the nine-week summer research and creative work program culminated with hybrid oral presentations and poster presentations at the Hawaiʻi Imin International Conference Center.

“����Ӱҵ ����ԴDz� undergraduates conduct mature research and creative projects that tackle some of the most pressing issues we face in Hawaiʻi and beyond,” said UROP Program Coordinator Noah Perales-Estoesta. “The Symposium reflects the university’s commitment to advancing such research and creative work opportunities for students across all disciplines, and UROP is proud to play the role that we have in doing so.”

Sea level rise policy database

Kimberly Ortiz and Iokepa Frederick presented their project called “Sea Level Rise Policy Matrix,” which consisted of a report on a new inventory of sea level rise mitigation strategies, policies, laws, studies, tools, and documents that the state and counties of Hawaiʻi have produced in preparation for sea level rise. Their findings will be developed into a public-facing database that is user-friendly, publicly accessible, and can be used for future community education and input into sea level rise planning.

In addition to the inventory, Ortiz and Frederick reported on an initial analysis of specific actions and indicators that the state and counties have created to measure progress on sea level rise adaptation. Future research will continue with a larger gap analysis of what actions may be missing at a larger scale.

“The SURE Symposium was a wonderful experience and gave my research partner and I a platform to share what we have learned with others,” Ortiz said. “Not only educating ourselves but also having the opportunity to share our knowledge with others in terms of combating climate change, specifically sea level rise, we couldn’t have done it without SURE, UROP, ISR (����Ӱҵ ����ԴDz� ) and Dr. Ketty Loeb.”

Loeb, a faculty member with ISR, served as the team’s mentor.

Marine ecology research

MeiLin Precourt presented two research projects at the SURE Symposium, focusing on marine invasive species in the Galápagos Islands, and global fish extinction risk. Precourt’s first study modeled habitat suitability for Caulerpa algae species in the Galápagos, examining their potential to spread beyond known ranges and threaten native biodiversity. Her second project used machine learning to predict extinction risk for ray-finned fish species not yet assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The model, which shows over 85% accuracy, identifies length, trophic level, and salinity, as key predictors of extinction risk.

“While presenting two projects at the SURE Symposium was a bit nerve-wracking, I enjoyed the opportunity to share my ongoing research,” Precourt said. “I also found it exciting and inspiring to watch the other presenters in my sessions showcase their work.”

Precourt was mentored by ����Ӱҵ ����ԴDz� PhD candidate McLean Worsham and Professor Megan Porter (extinction risk for ray-finned fishes), and ����Ӱҵ ����ԴDz� PhD candidate James Fumo (Caulerpa habitat suitability).

UROP funding support

Ortiz and Frederick’s research was funded through a UROP grant to their mentor. Precourt’s extinction-prediction project was funded with UROP , and her algae-habitat assessment was funded through an National Science Foundation International Research Experience for Students grant made to ����Ӱҵ ����ԴDz� faculty.

Each year, UROP awards more than $500,000 in merit-based scholarships directly to students to support mentored undergraduate research and creative work projects and presentations. An additional $125,000 is awarded directly to mentors to support undergraduate research and creative work during the summer. The SURE Symposium is one of several regular on-campus presentation venues organized/co-organized by UROP. During the fall and spring semesters, UROP co-organizes the Undergraduate Showcase with the Honors Program.

Nearly $1 million was appropriated to the (Hawaiʻi Sea Grant) for the development of a beach and dune management plan for the North Shore of Oʻahu, specifically focusing on the area between Sunset Beach and Sharks Cove.

An important component of the project is community engagement and outreach so that the outcomes and pilot demonstration projects are aligned with community values, concerns and needs. In addition to developing the beach and dune management plan, pilot projects focusing on public infrastructure such as beach access stairs and decks will be discussed.

“This effort serves as a significant coastal management action plan reflecting the values and priorities of the North Shore community,” said Dolan Eversole, Hawaiʻi Sea Grant’s coastal management specialist and project lead. “In addition to the development of recommendations for site-specific beach and dune management practices, the plan will establish the scientific, environmental, and economic foundation for future evaluation of appropriate adaptation strategies for this critically important resource.”

Gov. Josh Green signed , which provided the funding in a ceremony held at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol on July 8. The ceremony included 16 bills that expand the state’s efforts to preserve �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s natural resources and foster sustainable tourism. While HB2248 focuses on ��ʻ�����’s North Shore, the bill serves as an important coastal management, adaptation planning, and community engagement model for coastal communities within and outside of Hawaiʻi struggling with sea-level rise and other coastal hazards.

“These bills represent significant steps forward in safeguarding �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s environment and promoting responsible tourism,” said Green.

Hawaiʻi Sea Grant will have 1.5 years to develop the recommendations for increased conservation of the beach and dune area. It will draw on similar community-based beach and dune management plans that it developed for Maui County, Kailua Beach Park on Oʻahu, Windward Oahu Tourism Assessment and the Hawaiʻi Dune Restoration Manual.

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—By Cindy Knapman

Scientists and kiaʻi loko (fishpond practitioners) have a new tool to aid their efforts to restore and ensure the resilience of Native Hawaiian fishponds. Researchers from the University of Hawaiʻi and fishpond stewards in Hilo, are using uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, to support integrated coastal zone management, including at cultural heritage sites. The study was published in the .

“We discovered that drones are effective and cost-efficient tools for mapping loko iʻa at the community level, providing kiaʻi loko iʻa with better insights into the timing and locations of flooding and future sea level rise impacts on their fishponds,” said Kainalu Steward, lead author of the study and doctoral student in the ����Ӱҵ Mānoa (SOEST).

Loko iʻa, traditional Hawaiian fishponds located along the coastline, have historically provided sustainable seafood sources. These culturally important sites are undergoing revitalization through community-driven restoration efforts. However, as sea-level rise poses a significant climate-induced threat to coastal areas, loko iʻa managers are seeking adaptive strategies to address related concerns such as flooding, water quality, and the viability of native fish species.

King Tides as estimate of future sea level

The researchers’ surveys determined that by 2060, the average sea level along the Keaukaha coastline in Hilo will be similar to the extreme tidal events, known as King Tides, during summer 2023. Steward and Brianna Ninomoto, a master’s student in at , devised a plan to investigate how future sea-level rise will affect loko iʻa by assessing the impacts of the summer 2023 King Tides.

Throughout the summer, including during the extreme high tide events, researchers collected drone imagery in real time and monitored water levels using sensors submerged at each loko iʻa. They compared flooding predicted from drone-derived topography models and more commonly used Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR)-derived models to the observed flooding documented by drone imagery.

The team found that digital elevation models derived from drone surveys accurately estimated observed flooding during extreme high tide events, whereas LiDAR flood models, which are nearly 20 years old for the Hilo region, significantly overestimated observed flooding by 2–5 times. Loko iʻa practitioners, however, reported that occasionally during severe weather and large swell events, these particular areas modeled from LiDAR data do flood. This suggests that data collected by LiDAR offers a more conservative and cautious understanding of coastal flooding, emphasizing that data collected by drone and LiDAR are important components when forecasting and managing the areas.

Supporting Native Hawaiian scientists, community

Funding for this research was awarded through NASA’s Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) for the project, “,” led by co-author and SOEST Assistant Professor of Earth Sciences Haunani Kane. The program engages underrepresented populations through a wide variety of initiatives. Multiyear grants are awarded to assist Minority Institution faculty and students in research related to pertinent missions.

“One of the goals of this project is to increase the capacity of Native Hawaiian students in assessing and evaluating impacts of sea level rise upon cultural resource sites,” said Kane. “This project supports five undergraduate students and three local Native Hawaiian students as they work towards obtaining their master’s and doctorate degrees in science at the University of Hawaiʻi.”

“This research is important for enhancing coastal community adaptation, resilience, and food security in the face of climate change,” said Ninomoto. “This work was ultimately done to support loko iʻa practitioners along Keaukaha and the future management of their ʻāina as the impacts of flooding become more severe.”

Another component of the NASA-funded project is storytelling and outreach to the community. John Burns, study co-author and ����Ӱҵ Hilo associate professor in and , and the have a community lab space at Mokupāpapa Discovery Center in Downtown Hilo where the research team uses virtual reality and short films to share stories and engage the community in discussions of how climate change is impacting coastal resources in Hawaiʻi.

����Ӱҵ researchers plan to continue working with the kiaʻi loko iʻa in Keaukaha, to provide up-to-date aerial imagery of their fishpond to support restoration efforts.

“Loko iʻa are examples of how our kūpuna have adapted to changes in climate for generations, and we want to contribute towards their resilience and perpetuation by integrating modern technology,” said Steward.

–By Marcie Grabowski

Climate change in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific Islands worsens inequities and threatens unique island ecosystems, cultural resources, human health, livelihoods, the built environment, and access to clean water and healthy food. These are among the findings of the U.S. National Climate Assessment, released by the Biden Administration which involved five University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa researchers. The assessment concluded that adaptation actions centered on local and Indigenous knowledge can improve the resilience of Pacific Island communities.

����Ӱҵ Mānoa researchers involved in this work include: Haunani Kane, Gina Malia Nobrega, Kirsten Oleson, Chris Shuler, Richard Wallsgrove, Makena Coffman and several other ����Ӱҵ affiliates, including Chapter Lead Abby Frazier.

The chapter on Hawaiʻi and the U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islands appears in the Fifth National Climate Assessment, the most up-to-date and comprehensive U.S. report to evaluate climate change risks, impacts and responses. The assessment demonstrates that efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit climate change impacts are underway in every U.S. region, including the Pacific Islands.

“Climate change continues to threaten things we care about,” said Frazier, a ����Ӱҵ affiliate faculty member, an assistant professor at Clark University, and the chapter’s lead author. “As the devastating hurricane-fueled wildfires on Maui and Typhoon Mawar in Guam made clear, when communities are already hurting from stressors like COVID-19, extreme weather can multiply harms. The sooner we scale up global action to curb threats from climate change, the better. Fortunately, cutting emissions or preparing for new extremes also creates immediate local benefits—improved health, a stronger economy, and more resilient communities.”

The chapter’s key takeaways for the region include:

• Climate change impairs access to healthy food and water. Increasing temperatures, altered rainfall, flooding, pollution and fisheries decline will further affect food and water availability.
• Climate change undermines human health. Climate shocks and stressors compromise healthcare and worsen long-standing social and economic inequities that contribute to illness, but community strengths and adaptation measures can boost resilience.
• Rising sea levels harm infrastructure and islands’ economies. Sea-level rise intensifies loss of territory and disrupts livelihoods, however, governments and communities are innovating through renewable energy, green infrastructure and sustainable economic growth.
• Responses help to safeguard tropical ecosystems and biodiversity. Increased fire risk, severe droughts, and ocean changes have broad negative impacts on native plants and wildlife and ocean ecosystems. Effective adaptation strategies include ecosystem protection and restoration, invasive species measures and fire prevention.
• Indigenous Peoples and their knowledge systems are central to the resilience of island communities amidst the changing climate.

Since the Fourth National Climate Assessment, published in 2018, a new component is the chapter’s inclusion of a key message on human health and its emphasis on food security, integration of Indigenous knowledge, and recognition of data inequities for the Pacific Islands and U.S. Caribbean.

The full National Climate Assessment is published as an and .