In western Micronesia, sea levels are rising at three to four times the global average, saltwater intrusion is impacting freshwater supplies and food production, and local cultures are being forced to respond. Yap State, Federated States of Micronesia (9.5N, 138E), consists of a cluster of four main islands (MI) and 14 coral atolls and smaller outer islands (OI) spread over 400,000 km2 of ocean. This paper examines three aspects of Yap State's adaptive capacity to climate change impacts: 1) differences in environmental conditions between the MI and OI; 2) relevant features of the MI's cultural heritage; and 3) relevant features of OI's cultural heritage, including values and practices surrounding the sawei system relationship. Cultural support networks in both the MI and OI will almost certainly be relied upon to lessen the severity of climate change impacts, perhaps especially as more OI residents relocate to the MI. More research is needed to document how features of intangible cultural heritage that create and maintain social resilience in Yap State will shape residents' adaptive capacity to climate change.
Perkins, RM; Krause, SM
Adapting to climate change impacts in Yap State, Federated States of Micronesia: the importance of environmental conditions and intangible cultural heritage
Island Studies Journal