3.5 - Marshall Islandds Flashcards
1
Q
How much sea level rise are the Marshall Islands expected to see?
A
- 60cm
- by 2100
- will inundate the entire country
2
Q
What is the Marshall Island’s economy dependant on?
A
- flags for convenience fishing
- fishing
3
Q
What is the population of the Marshall Islands?
A
- 54 000
- majority live on Majuro, capital island
4
Q
What happened at Bikini Atoll?
A
- Nuclear weapons testing in 1950s
- left behind large amounts of plutonium waste
5
Q
What risk is present at Runit Island?
A
- dome containing radioactive waste
- made from crater created during radioactive test
- crater was not lined at the bottom with concrete
6
Q
What problem is climate change causing on the Marshall Islands?
A
- rising sea levels mean water is infiltrating into Runit Dome
- due to coral structure of atolls
- radioactive material is being brought out
- Enewetak Island people cannot export fish as a result
- fish stock is decreasing as fish are moving north 26km/decade due to change in ocean temperature
- people miss out on income due to fishing
- also lose out on flag hopping royalties
7
Q
What affect does climate change have on coral reefs?
A
- increase in temperature expell zooanthellae (algae)
- vital for coral growth, provide nutrients
- coral bleaching occurs, weakens coral
8
Q
Why is coral important for Marshall Islanders?
A
- fish depend on coral reefs for habitat
- provide coastal protection against storm surges
- form of tourism for scuba diving
