Coastal Protection at Tongatapu Island, Tonga
Coastal Protection
at
Tongatapu Island, Tonga:
A Report on Initiatives
Nuku 'alofa beach seawall (Wikimedia.org)
Prepared for Sylila Monteiro and Antoinette Wessels,
27 May 2011
By: Tattenai Katoanga (ID:1374937);
Mahlon Bonga (ID:1388118);
Pim Slagman (ID:1385439)
Contents
1.0Introduction 3
1.1 Terms of reference 3
1.2 Procedures 3
1.3 Background 3
3.0 Findings 4
3.1 General environmental threats 4
3.2 Situation in Nuku’alofa 4
3.3 Situations in other parts of the island 5
4.0 Conclusion 6
6 References 8
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Terms of reference
This report was requested by Sylila Monteiro and Antoinette Wessels, Engineering Communication lecturers at Unitec. It investigates measures taken to protect the coast of Tongatapu Island in Tonga. The report was requested on 6 May 2011, to be submitted by 20 May 2011, with recommendations.
1.2 Procedures
Research of literature and websites as well as documenting of personal observations is to be undertaken on predicted general climatic and environmental influences and on what initiatives in Tongatapu are currently undertaken.
1.3 Background
Tonga consists of a group of 172 low lying islands in the South Pacific Ocean (Lao, 2007). Tongatapu is the main island of the Tongan islands group, located at the southern end of this chain. The low-lying nature and size of Tongatapu means that people are living close to the coast which makes the island vulnerable to changes in sea water levels.
3.0 Findings
Below are described the findings in regards to general climate and the effects on Tongatapu’s coast.
3.1 General environmental threats
Due to global warming water levels are forecast to rise 38 cm from 1990 till 2080. Local measurement has found figures in the order of 10mm a year (Lao, 2007). Another forecast consequence of climate change is that the frequency and severity of cyclones will increase, as well as high sea levels. More than 50% of
at
Tongatapu Island, Tonga:
A Report on Initiatives
Nuku 'alofa beach seawall (Wikimedia.org)
Prepared for Sylila Monteiro and Antoinette Wessels,
27 May 2011
By: Tattenai Katoanga (ID:1374937);
Mahlon Bonga (ID:1388118);
Pim Slagman (ID:1385439)
Contents
1.0Introduction 3
1.1 Terms of reference 3
1.2 Procedures 3
1.3 Background 3
3.0 Findings 4
3.1 General environmental threats 4
3.2 Situation in Nuku’alofa 4
3.3 Situations in other parts of the island 5
4.0 Conclusion 6
6 References 8
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Terms of reference
This report was requested by Sylila Monteiro and Antoinette Wessels, Engineering Communication lecturers at Unitec. It investigates measures taken to protect the coast of Tongatapu Island in Tonga. The report was requested on 6 May 2011, to be submitted by 20 May 2011, with recommendations.
1.2 Procedures
Research of literature and websites as well as documenting of personal observations is to be undertaken on predicted general climatic and environmental influences and on what initiatives in Tongatapu are currently undertaken.
1.3 Background
Tonga consists of a group of 172 low lying islands in the South Pacific Ocean (Lao, 2007). Tongatapu is the main island of the Tongan islands group, located at the southern end of this chain. The low-lying nature and size of Tongatapu means that people are living close to the coast which makes the island vulnerable to changes in sea water levels.
3.0 Findings
Below are described the findings in regards to general climate and the effects on Tongatapu’s coast.
3.1 General environmental threats
Due to global warming water levels are forecast to rise 38 cm from 1990 till 2080. Local measurement has found figures in the order of 10mm a year (Lao, 2007). Another forecast consequence of climate change is that the frequency and severity of cyclones will increase, as well as high sea levels. More than 50% of
References: Effects of global warming, 2011. Retrieved 18 May 2011 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effects_of_global_warming Country Watch Tonga, 2011. Retrieved 19 May 2011 from http://www.countrywatch.com/country_profile.aspx?vcountry=172 Lao, F.F.T. (2007). The vulnerability of Tongatapu coastal zone to local impacts of climate and sea level rise related risks. Unpublished thesis. Waikato University, Hamilton, New Zealand. Tongan reef status, 2011. Retrieved 18 May 2011 from http://www.sprep.org/att/IRC/eCOPIES/Countries/Tonga/5.pdf Josephine. L., 2008. “Climate Change: A tough reality for Tongan villagers” Retrieved 14 May 2011 from http://www.taimionline.com/articles/117 Netatua, P.F. & others, 1992. Retrieved 18 May 2011 from “www.pacificdisaster.net/.../data/.../TON_assessment_vulnerability_sealevel.pdf”