A Brief on the intersection between climate change impacts and asylum and refugee seekers' incarceration on Manus Island, Papua New Guinea

Abstract

Human displacement within Manus Province due to sea-level rise is an ongoing concern. However, since Manus Province has many high islands, this could be resolved internally as long as the institutional and governmental structures in place respect and uphold the basic human rights of those being resettled (Gonzales 2018, 396). Saltwater intrusion is another issue that threatens Manus communities as a result of sea-level rise. Potable water issues have been addressed in some of the islands through the establishment of desalination plants. The challenge of failing crop production is difficult to remedy; however, the traditional exchange system may be a survival strategy for communities to consider.