Pragmatic discourses and alternative resistance: responses to climate change in the Pacific
McNamara, Karen Elizabeth (2008) Pragmatic discourses and alternative resistance: responses to climate change in the Pacific. Graduate Journal of Asia-Pacific Studies, 6 (2). pp. 33-54.
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Abstract
This paper explores the portrayals of climate change by United Nations diplomats, ambassadors and representatives from intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Counter discourses are also revealed through interviews conducted with ambassadors representing small Pacific states at the United Nations. Among the literatures that posit climate change is occurring, there has been a broad consensus that the impacts of climate change threaten the long‐term capacity for people to continue living in small island states such as Tuvalu or Kiribati.1 Pacific island states are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change as their fresh water reserves are limited to a shallow subsurface lens which is susceptible to depletion in drought and contamination from salt water. Further, the height of these atoll states above sea‐level rarely exceeds two metres, which makes them highly susceptible to wave damage. The ecological balance of these systems is in threat even due to minor alterations to global climate. Even by the most conservative estimates of climate change, major alterations in the response of the hydrologic behaviour of these islands will ensue.2
| Item ID: | 6368 |
|---|---|
| Item Type: | Article (Research - C1) |
| ISSN: | 1176-2152 |
| Keywords: | climate change; Pacific countries; Asia-Pacific; small island communitites |
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| Additional Information: | This publication does not have an abstract, the first paragraph is displayed as abstract. |
| Date Deposited: | 10 Mar 2010 23:05 |
| FoR Codes: | 15 COMMERCE, MANAGEMENT, TOURISM AND SERVICES > 1506 Tourism > 150601 Impacts of Tourism @ 100% |
| SEO Codes: | 94 LAW, POLITICS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES > 9403 International Relations > 940303 International Organisations @ 40% 94 LAW, POLITICS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES > 9403 International Relations > 940399 International Relations not elsewhere classified @ 60% |
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