Niue
Climate change impacts
It takes only 36 days for the average Canadian to produce as much greenhouse gases as the average Niuean will produce over the course of the entire year. Therefore, February 5th (36 days into the year) is "Climate Change Impacts in Niue Day."
Niue is a small island state situated in the Southwest Pacific Ocean consisting of a single uplifted coral atoll with a unique rugged coastline. With limited natural, human and economic resources, and a high dependence on marine resources for livelihood needs, Niue is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
For example, under a business as usual climate change scenario, “Niue's agricultural sector “is expected to experience drought conditions more frequently, especially in relation to the expected more frequent occurrence of El Niño." In addition, “variations in rainfall and soil moisture can affect agricultural production, an activity most Niuens rely on for subsistence.”
For more information on how climate change will impact Niue see: http://www.sprep.org/att/irc/ecopies/countries/niue/33.pdf
Story
Although individual weather events cannot be directly attributed to climate change it is predicted that the frequency of devastating weather events like Cyclone Heta will increase due to climate change.
“Nearly three years after Cyclone Heta struck Niue on January 5, 2004 the island is still recovering. Cyclone Heta caused peak wind gusts of 296 kms/hour, and waves in excess of 50 meters in height. These waves washed away whole buildings situated on the Alofi terrace, more than 25 metres above sea level....Included among these losses are the complete destruction of the Huanaki cultural centre, where people would regularly congregate for the cultural displays and dances which are so integral to Niuean culture, and which also included the national museum, which lost 90% of its collection.”
For more information, read the following report: Niue after Cyclone Heta.
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