Delta Life 12

Climate-change-related problems on small islands solutions Solutions we work on. Focusing on: - long-term - large-scale - integral Legend ! Coastal erosion ! Flooding ! IMPROVING BUILDING CODES Making homes flood-resilient (better construction, elevated houses). WASTE MANAGEMENT Reduction and reuse of waste, for example for coastal protection. CREATING RESILIENT INFRASTRUCTURE Reduce cascading eects (in for example transport network, electricity and hospitals). ... Major challenges, innovative solutions Small island states are threatened by the eects of the anthropogenic overexploitation of natural resources and climate change. Heavy rainfall, storms and rising sea levels are causing flooding, salinisation of freshwater lenses and eroding shorelines. Flooding, the contami- nation of groundwater and surface water and coastal erosion are oen exacerbated by human activities. Many small island states are now taking steps to adapt to climate change, and to reduce and mitigate human interference on the natural system. With the right, cost-eective, measures based on good research, it is possible to preserve islands and their coastal ecosystem. But time is running out… This infographic shows the challenges small islands are facing and the solutions Deltares is developing in collaboration with knowledge partners and clients.