Enhancing SIDS resilience and the sustainability of human interactions with ecological, freshwater and ocean systems
Priority 2
SIDS are big ocean sustainable States (BOSS). Protecting their terrestrial, aquatic and marine biodiversity, as well as their heritage, and securing equitable access to land and ocean resources are essential for their sustainable development. In terms of natural resources, SIDS face numerous challenges due to their biophysical settings, which leave them vulnerable not only to extreme climatological and seismic events but also other adverse environmental impacts, including pollution of groundwater and surface water resources, sustainable energy access, saline intrusion, soil and coastal erosion, biodiversity loss and coral bleaching, among others. For instance, in many SIDS groundwater quality and quantity are threatened by population growth, urbanization and climate change. Supporting SIDS to overcome these challenges is a priority which can be advanced through capacity enhancement of biodiversity, marine, natural and social sciences, engineering education, as well as through research and technology transfer and the application of traditional and non-traditional knowledge, tools and approaches.
Four priority areas in the natural sciences are particularly relevant to address sustainable development in SIDS:
- Science, technology and innovation;
- Environmental science;
- Resilience and adaptation;
- Human and institutional capacity-building.