Climate 101

Climate change refers to significant, long-term shifts in global weather patterns and temperatures, primarily driven by increased concentrations of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. These changes result from human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes. These greenhouse gases trap heat in the earth’s atmosphere resulting in the rise of global average temperature, melting polar ice, sea-level rise, and more frequent extreme weather events, all of which pose substantial risks to ecosystems and human societies.

In the context of Palau, these global changes manifest as higher temperatures, stronger typhoons, coral reef loss, and coastal flooding, presenting significant challenges to Palau’s economy, environment, and communities. For information on climate variability, observed changes, and projected impacts in the Pacific region, please visit the Pacific Climate Change Monitor. For a country-specific look at the impacts of climate change across sectors in Palau, please visit the Pacific Islands Regional Climate Assessment (PIRCA) for Palau.

Climate & Kukau

Root crops are generally limited by disease and pets which are expected to increase activity with the predicted rise in temperature. Many traditional taro patches are also in low-lying areas vulnerable to saltwater intrusion due to sea level rise. Several taro patches on Babeldaob are currently affected by this, especially during high tides. Salt water in taro patches can result in crop loss as high as 75-100%. A 2014 study to evaluate varietals for salt tolerance in Ngimis, Ngatpang, Ollei, and Ngarchelong, found that the Kirang, Dirrubong and Dungersuul varietals were most salt tolerant (Del Rosario et al. 2014). Efforts to preserve taro varieties and to conduct research to determine which varietals are salt-tolerant are led by institutions like Palau Community College’s Cooperative Research & Extension, which maintains 68 varieties. For more information on Climate & Kukau, see Additional Resources, below.