The understanding of the implications of climate change has broadened in recent years, covering a complex web of development and security issues. In the meanwhile, Pacific island countries remain on the frontline, vulnerable not only to rising seas but also the global responses to the emerging climate security threats. This paper finds that:

climate change amplifies many of the Pacific existing development challenges beyond the obvious environmental concerns - addressing climate change is about securing Pacific future
migration, both internally and externally, is likely to be the biggest consequence of climate change in the Pacific region
in this context, the movement of people from coastal homelands to urban centers because of climate-induced impacts will put increasing pressure on already over-taxed physical and social infrastructure
ongoing geopolitical competition in the Pacific will also play into climate change security scenarios, particularly as aid and resettlement programs may be used as leverage to gain influence

The author notes that the prevailing adaptation approach in the Pacific islands doesn’t meet the threat of climate change to these islands. However, factoring in a holistic approach to climate change to the post-Millennium Development Agendas has the potential to bring real benefits for Pacific islands security and wellbeing. Recommendations include:

investing in education, health care and poverty alleviation measures is encouraged to be seen through the lens of climate change adaptation
Pacific leaders should be more pointed in their criticism of major industrial powers who continue to feed the problem of carbon emissions regardless of its impact on the rest of the world
Pacific islands should move away from the rhetoric of vulnerability to emphasise the value they offer to the world (e.g. they have 60% of global tuna stocks)
climate changes implications should be adequately discussed when formulating the new global development goals