Email
Print
Tuvalu
Tuvalu , a small island nation in the Pacific, has in recent years lost about one metre of land around the circumference of its largest atoll due to changes in storm conditions and rising sea levels.
Tuvalu is one of the world’s lowest-lying countries, with its highest point standing a mere four and a half metres above sea level. Half of Tuvalu’s population of 11,000 people live just three metres above sea level.
“We live in constant fear of the adverse impacts of climate change. For a coral atoll nation, sea level rise and more severe weather events loom as a growing threat to our entire population. The threat is real and serious, and is of no difference to a slow and insidious form of terrorism against us.”
Saufatu Sopoanga, Prime Minister of Tuvalu, September 2003Salt-water intrusion reduces the land’s productive capabilities and has already affected communal crop gardens on six of Tuvalu’s eight islands. Some families have taken to growing Taro (root staple) in metal buckets to avoid the saline soils . In addition, the increased coral bleaching from rising ocean temperatures is depleting local fish stocks.
Tuvalu is the first country where residents have been forced to evacuate because of rising sea levels – with nearly 3,000 Tuvaluans already evacuated.
“Taking us as environmental refugees, is not what Tuvalu is after in the long run. We want the islands of Tuvalu and our nation to remain permanently and not be submerged as a result of greed and uncontrolled consumption of industrialized countries. We want our children to grow up the way we grew up in our own islands and in our own culture.”
Tuvaluan Governor-General Sir Tomasi Puapuas, September 2002- Hear Emeretta's story
- “Taking us as environmental refugees is not what [the Pacific nation of] Tuvalu is after. We want our children to grow up the way we grew up – on our own islands.”