The problems of small state islands

1994/05/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Ekologia

For most of them the small islands of the world are images of dreams and holidays. However, for the inhabitants of these islands life is a subsistence struggle that, being partially marginalized by the world, becomes rougher.

In recent years, the way of life of the inhabitants of these islands has become increasingly endangered, as they will be the most affected by climate change and rising water levels in the oceans. For example, the Maldives islands of the Indian Ocean can be submerged by the middle of the following century. In addition, the natural resources, economy and ecosystems of small state islands are threatened by industrial exploitation, poorly developed development and their dependence on world markets.

The World Conference for the Sustainable Development of Small State Islands in Development will meet in Barbados from 25 April to 6 May.

This conference is the result of the Rio de Janeiro summit, which will feature nearly 150 UN member states and non-governmental organizations. Two previous meetings were held for the conference. In May 1993, the Pacific and Indian states were joined in Vanuatu and in July 1993, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean and the Atlantic in Port of Spain (Trinidad and Tobago).