Atoll islands and climate change: disappearing States? -

Climatologists admit that the meteorological effects of climate change cannot be adequately predicted for many areas. There is a general consensus, however, that any further global warming will bring with it a further sea-level rise. As a result, some island States might lose one of the basic requirements to be a State: their own territory. This potential problem raises a number of questions regarding the sovereignty of these islands and the future status of their current inhabitants