Environmental Overview: Environmental issues = Samoa Country Review

Abstract

Like so many small island nations in the world, Samoa is vulnerable to the threats posed by global warming and climate change, derived from carbon emissions, and resulting in the rise in sea level. Political policy in the country is often connected to ecological issues, which have over time morphed into an existential crisis of sorts. Please see the special section titled "Climate change talks in Qatar extend life of Kyoto Protocol" located in the entry titled "Global Environmental Agreements" in this Country Review for information on the December 2012 saw climate talks in the Qatari city of Doha. There, representatives from countries across the world gathered to discuss the fate of the Kyoto Protocol, which seeks to minimize greenhouse gas emissions. The summit yielded results with decisions made (1) to extend the Kyoto Protocol until 2020, and (2) for wealthier countries to compensate poorer countries for the losses and damage incurred as a result of climate change.