In the report titled "Database on Climate Related Risks June 2023," the Ministry of the Environment has brought attention to a concerning reality for Mauritius, which faces the impacts of climate disruption. Despite Mauritius having minimal greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the effects of global warming on natural ecosystems are inevitable and already being felt.
More and more cyclones
Torrential rains currently affect the country regularly, but Mauritius will have to face even greater risks in the coming years. The report highlights a worrisome increase in the number of cyclones striking the island. Over the past decade, almost every season has witnessed the intensification of at least one cyclone. This rise in the number of intense storms significantly increases the risk of cyclonic strikes, even if they are not imminent or frequent. Between 1981 and 1990, the average number of cyclones surpassing tropical cyclone intensity was 3.9 per year, whereas it rose to 4.7 between 1991 and 2020. The report's forecasts indicate an 18% per decade increase in the probability of major tropical cyclones developing in the southern Indian Ocean region. This alarming trend emphasizes the growing risks Mauritius and the rest of the Mascarene Islands will face in terms of high-intensity cyclonic events in the future.
Severe droughts
Furthermore, climate change has resulted in more frequent drought periods. The island has experienced a significant decrease in average annual rainfall of 104 mm over a 70-year period from 1951 to 2020, leading to increasingly severe drought episodes. The central plateau, northern, and western regions are the most affected, experiencing a 7.7% reduction in rainfall between 2011 and 2020 compared to 1951 and 1960.
More frequent landslides
The report also draws attention to the escalating frequency of landslides. In 2011, the government identified 37 vulnerable sites on the island, including seven areas at high risk: Palma, Curepipe, Rivière-des-Créoles, Batellage, Olivia, Kewal-Nagar, and Signal Mountain. Other areas such as Chitrakoot, Quatre-Sœurs, Vallée-Pitot, La Butte, Chamarel, and the Corps de Garde ridge also present a significant landslide risk, resulting in the destruction of homes and infrastructure.
Biodiversity loss
Mauritius harbors one of the world's most endangered island floras, with 89% of its endemic flora now considered threatened. Currently, 61 native species in the country have already gone extinct. Deforestation, invasive species, habitat modification, pollution, and the adverse effects of climate change pose the main threats to Mauritian biodiversity. Only 2% of the island is currently covered by primary forest, increasing the risk of species extinction. Mauritius' coral reefs have been severely impacted by warming marine waters, leading to recurring instances of coral bleaching, affecting up to 60% of corals.
Coral bleaching will not get any better
Coral bleaching occurs when corals lose their symbiotic relationship with the microalgae living inside them, caused by stress from unfavorable environmental conditions such as high water temperatures. Bleached corals become vulnerable to disease and death, resulting in serious consequences for marine biodiversity. Corals provide habitats for various species of fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and other marine organisms. When corals die due to bleaching, this valuable habitat is destroyed, leading to a reduction in species diversity and ecological imbalance. Moreover, corals act as natural barriers against waves, protecting coastlines from erosion and storms. With coral death, this natural protection is lost, increasing the risk of coastal erosion and storm damage.
Beach erosion
Erosion poses a significant problem in Mauritius, with local authorities concerned that beaches could disappear entirely within 50 years. According to the United Nations Office for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR), sea levels in Mauritius are rising at a rate of 5.6 millimeters per year, which is twice the global average. This poses a major challenge for a country heavily dependent on tourism, with approximately 20% of the population residing in coastal areas. In response to this imminent danger, significant construction work on protective walls was initiated three years ago at 21 vulnerable sites. However, almost half a hectare of beach is eroded every year, gradually depriving Mauritians of the picturesque landscapes that have been popular with tourists for the past four decades.
To address this critical situation, the Mauritian government has taken measures to enhance preparedness and response capabilities for natural disasters, particularly those linked to climate change. The 2023/24 budget has allocated Rs 890 million to the departments of the Mauritius Fire & Rescue Service, the Mauritius Meteorological Service, and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Centre. These investments aim to improve emergency forecasting, preparedness, and climate risk management. Although Mauritius has made progress in its preparedness for climate risks, moving up from the 14th to 107th position among the most vulnerable countries, numerous challenges remain in safeguarding the island's fragile environment and coping with the escalating consequences of climate disruption.
