Explore historical and projected climate data, climate data by sector, impacts, key vulnerabilities and what adaptation measures are being taken. Explore the overview for a general context of how climate change is affecting Samoa.
Despite experiencing less frequent disasters compared to other Pacific Island Countries (PICs), Samoa experiences a high degree of economic and social shock during disaster years: over 40 percent of the population of Samoa is affected and Samoa''s economic losses have averaged 46 percent of their gross domestic product (GDP). In the capital city of Apia, a cyclone with a 100-year return period, or with a 50 percent chance of occurring within the current generation, could likely inflict damage equivalent to 60 percent of GDP. Samoa is at risk to tropical cyclones, tsunamis, droughts, and floods.
This section provides a summary of key natural hazards and their associated socioeconomic impacts in a given country. It allows for a quick assessment of most vulnerable areas through the spatial comparison of natural hazard data with development data, thereby identifying exposed livelihoods and natural systems.
The charts provide overview of the most frequent natural disaster in a given country and understand the impacts of those disasters on human populations.
Climate change is now recognized to have a significant impact on disaster management efforts and pose a significant threat to the efforts to meet the growing needs of the most vulnerable populations. The demands of disaster risk management are such that concise, clear, and reliable information is crucial. The information presented here offers insight into the frequency, impact and occurrence of natural hazards. Source (PDF)
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The capital, Apia, is located on the second largest island Upolu and has a population of approximately 40,000 people. The islands are of volcanic origin clearly visible in the form of several dormant volcanoes and lava fields. Approximately 70% of Samoa''s population and infrastructure are located in low-lying coastal areas. Projected sea level rise could exacerbate coastal erosion, loss of land and property and dislocation of the island inhabitants. The extreme events of tropical cyclones Ofa (1990) and Val (1991)caused damage with costs estimates of approximately four times the gross domestic product (GDP) of Samoa.
This WHO UNFCCC health and climate change country profile forSamoaprovides a summary of available evidence on climate hazards, health vulnerabilities, health impacts and progress to date in health sector efforts to realize a climate-resilient health system.
The WHO and UNFCCC Health and Climate Change Country Profile Project monitors the health impacts of climate change and progress in building climate resilient health systems. By publishing updated country profiles every four years, the project not only provides a snapshot on a range of national health and climate change indicators, but also creates a mechanism to track climate-related health impacts and responses over time. During the first cycle of the project in 2015, nearly 50 country profiles were published. The number of country profiles is being significantly expanded in the second cycle, with around 100 country profiles expected to be published by the end of 2021.
The country profiles are developed in close collaboration with regional and country level WHO offices, national health authorities, and health stakeholders. The overall aims of the WHO and UNFCCC Health and Climate Change Country Profile Project are to:
All Health and Climate Change Country Profile
The newly-released paper is co-authored by Dr Anita Latai-Niusulu from the National University of Samoa, and University of Otago Professors Tony Binns and Etienne Nel, both from the School of Geography.
The study, based on Dr Latai-Niusulu''s PhD thesis, interviewed 165 residents in villages across Samoa''s main islands Upolu and Savaii, including in coastal, inland, urban and rural areas.
More than 70 per cent of Samoa''s population lives in 330 rural villages across Upolu and Savaii, and most of the country''s infrastructure, population and development is near the coastline.
The researchers found villagers had a heightened awareness of climate change and noticed hotter days and longer dry spells, shorter periods of rainfall, stronger damaging winds, and sea level rise.
However rather than despairing at the prospect, villagers have developed a pragmatic and positive approach to impending climate changes.
Past natural disasters such as Cyclones Ofa and Val in the 1990s had a devastating effect on many communities, but the recovery period also brought opportunities for developing tighter social connections, new food supplies and infrastructural development and, in some cases, village relocation.
Professor Binns says the Samoan approach challenges general Western perceptions about Pacific nations'' ability to respond to climate change.
He says exposure to serious environmental challenges has not made villagers ''fatalistic'' or ''helpless'', but instead has given them a more optimistic outlook on life.
Communities also regularly meet together at evening prayers to share information and strengthen social networks.
This, along with the fact that more than 80 per cent of Samoa''s land and resources are still collectively owned, means Samoans can engage in collaborative action against climate change.
Common strategies in all villages include diversifying food and water sources, being geographically mobile, having more than one place to live, and developing mental and spiritual strength.
"Such diverse livelihood portfolios and close community collaboration have generated an impressive level of resilience which communities elsewhere in the Pacific and beyond could well emulate," Professor Binns says.
However, the study found climate change decisions in Samoa are primarily occurring at a national level, and are dominated by the views of government workers, consultancy firms and civil society workers.
Officials need to listen to community expertise and develop a more nuanced understanding of each village''s key concerns -- which vary according each village''s unique geographical challenges, Professor Binns says.
"Governments need to carefully reconsider their expenditure in relation to climate change adaptation, with perhaps less spending directed towards building seawalls and coastal roads.
"More support should be given to other climate change adaptation initiatives such as village, church and family activities that strengthen social networks and build social memory."
Materials provided by University of Otago. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
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