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Laura Chandler
Model UN-General Assembly
April 19, 2016
ECUADOR
THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON SMALL ISLAND STATES AND MIGRATION
An study taken from 1901 to 2004 shows that Small Island Developing States (SIDS)
have characteristics that make them open to climate change. The 52 identified SIDS could have
to leave their towns due to rising sea levels and extreme events. These events are supposed to
cause problems such as extreme storms, erosion and other coastal problems which would cause
SIDS populations to leave and find new homes somewhere else. By 2050 the effects of climate
change may make less water resources in areas that will not be able to survive during low rainfall
periods. Beach erosion and the deteroration of coral life are expected to impact fisheries and
tourism. In order to help prevent these issues, many states are starting their own domestic
renewable energy markets. Although SIDS are responsible for only 1% of carbon dioxide
emissions around the world, it is an important step for them to make for their own sense of
control. Outside
organizations, like the UK’s Friends of the Earth and the development of The Kyoto Protocol are
working to help governments cut the amount of carbon dioxide released into the air. In addition,
The United Nations has taken the lead on climate change by holding global summits. The UN is
writing various international agreements that may help to get rid of not only SIDS money
problems
due to climate change, but would lower global greenhouse gas emissions.
Within the past forty years, Ecuador has seen some real changes in its location and
rugged Andes Mountains, due to climate change. It was recorded that between 1978 and 2008
the amount of fresh water available to residents of Quito had dropped 50%. The glacial coverage
went down 28% in the years
between 1996 and 2008, in only 12 years. At this time Ecuador is looking at changes in
temperature, rainfall and possible changes to ocean currents because of climate change. One
example of how Ecuadorians have been effected is present in the town of Ayaloma. Ayalomans
plant during the full moon for fall harvests. Weather changes have made the harvest short and
there has been more erosion from the harsh rains. While there haven’t been very many studies
dealing with slow moving climate change migration, it is unlikely that this population will not
migrate to either another area of Ecuador or out of the country because people do not want to
leave their towns or country. Due to these events and alarming numbers the country has
allocated/ 4.2 billion dollars to energy projects in order to double power generation capacity.
In 2007, Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa met with the UN and spoke of a plan which
would keep valuable oil in the ground at Yasuni National Park, if his country was paid half of
what the oil was worth. This payment would be made by the develop member states. President
Correa’s idea was that this would keep the park together and prevent the release of carbon
dioxide emissions into the atmosphere. Although the UN agreed with this request, only 6.5
million dollars of the 3.6 billion dollars needed to make the plan happen, was raised. The
project was then abandoned. At this time Ecuador is joining other countries in Central and South
America who are committing themselves to fight global warming
by identifying areas where forest conservation and restoration of destroyed rainforests are
needed.
The people of Ecuador believe in their people, their biodiversity and the land where they
live. Issues of poverty and the need to feed their families are real concerns. Even so, people
such as the Ecuarunari, the largest native group in Ecuador, have been speaking out against the
damaging practices within their own country as well as worldwide that have caused the
destruction of their land and their way of life.