Conclusion

The Caribbean and Pacific Islands that are affiliated with the US provide a unique setting for consideration of climate variability and change.  Islands contain diverse and productive ecosystems, and include many specialized and unique species.  After centuries of depending on subsistence agriculture and fishing, island economics are now based heavily on tourism, tuna processing and transshipment, and agricultural production for export, making them highly responsive to external economic forces.  The stability of these economies is also dependent on the health of the unique natural resources, all of which are sensitive to climate and climate changes.