Global Warming Threat: Maluku Islands

By Barrie | March 30th, 2008 | No Comments

An increase of three degrees Celsius in the sea water temperature as a consequence of global warming will cause the sea surface to rise by seven meters and the submersion, sinking or disappearance of large swathes of coastal area on Maluku`s 1,340 islands, a marine research official said.

Dr Ir Victor Nikijuluw, head of the Marine Resources and Fisheries Ministry`s training, education and fish-catch research center, said here Saturday a rise of just one meter in the sea-level would spell the disappearance of Natsea beach in Suli village on Ambon Island and Namalatu in Latulahat village as well as areas in Lease and Central Maluku district according to the Antara News article.

Also to be gobbled up by the sea would be the Lucipara Islands group in West Seram district, small islands on the border between Aru Islands and West Maluku Tenggara, Geser and Garogos islands in East Seram as well as Teon, Nila in the Serua Island group and in Central Maluku.

If the sea level rose two meters, Ambon Island was likely to be split into two and its Passo village would disappear.

Then also Ambon`s beach-line would move southward to what were now Batugajah and Batugantong sub districts.

Nikijuluw said the sea level rise would also annihilate Rumahtiga, Poka and Wayame villages and cause the inundation of Pattimura International airport in Laha village, Masohi, Central Maluku district, as well as mangrove forests in the Aru Island group.

A rise of three meters in the sea-level would wipe out coastal parts and islands in Gorom as well as Bula sub districts in addition to small islands in Southeast Maluku, SMM, the northern coastal areas of South Seram Island.

Also to vanish from the map would be islands in Tanimbar, Babar, Moa, Lakor, Leti Selaru and Yamdena as well as Masela.

The higher sea level would result in sea water intrusions, drought and clean water shortages in many areas and thus affect farming or crop harvests.

To help curb the global warming process, Nukijuluw said the community should nourish the ecosystem, coastal forests and avoid the over-exploitation of natural resources.

“Maluku whose territory mainly consists of seas should also reject investment or economic activity that cause changes in the ecosystem of small islands,” Nukijuluw said.

The public and government in the province should also anticipate the rise in the sea level by developing coastal areas in ways that allow sea water to flow freely, build walls to prevent inundation by sea water and set up buildings at a safe distance from the coastlines.