This paper discusses future prospects for climate change, impacts
and adaptation of three small islands in Solomon Islands. Based on
a review of literature a climate change scenario is suggested and
with point of departure in a survey of three characteristics of the
islands – bio-physical conditions, economic base and social organization
– the exposure, sensitivity and adaptation options of island
populations are analyzed. It is argued that the three islands are
likely to be very differently affected for reasons related to all three
categories of characteristics. Local adaptive capacity is likely to be
insufficient, especially in the case of Ontong Java (which is an atoll),
and economic, social, institutional and political factors, external to
the islands, will be of increasing importance.