The Negative Secondary Impacts of Climate Change on Pacific Islanders’ Mental Health

Climate change is recognized as one of the most serious global crises, creating worldwide health threats, including to mental health. Among the areas most affected by climate change are the Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS), particularly atoll nations, which have been internationally recognized as “sinking islands”. Atolls nations Kiribati, Marshall Islands, and Tuvalu, are facing extreme socio-cultural challenges as they experience sea level rise and shrinking land mass. The mental health concerns resulting from the socio-cultural impacts of climate change have not been fully researched at the community level, leaving gaps in policy planning and adaptation strategies. In particular, forced migration raises many concerns over sovereignty, statehood, and national and cultural identity, creating an intrinsically complicated scenario for both migrants and host countries. This chapter will analyse the multiple ways in which the impending threat of climate change can impact individual and community mental health through: (i) first-hand experience of more severe and frequent climate-related disasters; (ii) “solastalgic” feelings of sadness when reflecting on the changing environment; and (iii) eco-anxiety over future outcomes. These intertwining mental health impacts should be considered in future decision-making when preparing for climate change mitigation.