Page 84 - The World About Us

Funafu atoll
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Why is Tuvalu in the front line against climate change?

Tuvalu is the world's fourth smallest na on with a land fig.220 Volleyball on the runway, threatened by rising
area of just 26km² (ten square miles). It comprises of just 9 sea levels.
islands (6 coral atolls and 3 reef islands) spread across five
degrees of la tude in the South Pacific.
Located just south of the Equator, and 3,000km north of
New Zealand, Tuvalu is one of the most isolated island
na ons on Earth. Tuvalu is also one of the poorest na ons on
the planet. In the last few years it has found itself in the front
line against climate change.
Rising sea levels as a result of warmer waters and mel ng
icecaps pose a threat to the na on's en re popula on of just
11,000 people. The highest point on Tuvalu is just 4.6 metres
above sea level with most of the country significantly lower.

Tuvalu's economy relies mostly on of the year) salt water bubbles up
selling copra (dried coconut), the sale through the porous coral rock. This
of tuna fishing licenses for its forces people to live on raised
900,000km² exclusive economic zone pla orms above the sea water.
and selling colourful postage stamps.
¤ The increasing frequency of tropical
A hoped-for bonanza from selling storms has caused significant damage
the country's .tv domain suffix to to the islands. Between 1970 and 1990,
television companies around the world Tuvalu was struck by 3 cyclones.
has not fully materialised. Much of the Between 1900 and 2005, the islands
riches from these sales have gone to were ba ered by thirteen.
the US-based Verisign internet ¤ During 2015's Cyclone Pam all fig.221 Sea walls no match for stormy seas.
company which manages the domain.
vegeta on on the Vasafua islet was
Tuvalu, which was formerly known swept away by the storm. Meanwhile, s ll be sufficient to see Tuvalu wiped
as the Ellice Islands, gained its inde- on Nui and Nukefetau islands, 90% of from the map by rising seas - much
greater ac on was needed and soon.
pendence from Britain in 1978. It now the crops were destroyed. Damage was
faces the greatest threat in its short es mated at US$92 million, three Tuvalu has ins gated its own
history as an independent na on. mes the na on's en re GDP. na onal strategic plan to cope with
climate change. The plan includes:
¤ Rising sea levels have polluted the ¤ The country's main runway (fig.220),
limited water supplies on the islands. built by the Americans during WWII ¤ Planning to increase resilience of
This threatens the few areas suitable (leaving huge holes in parts of the coastal areas.
for growing crops. With no rivers or capital island of Fongafale), is now ¤ Raising the salt tolerance of staple
lakes, Tuvaluans today rely on collected threatened with regular flooding. This crops.
rainwater for drinking. This puts the could cut the island off from flights. ¤ Greater efficiency in rainwater
popula on at grave risk during the very ¤ Coastal erosion threatens many of collec on and storage.
dry years associated with La Niña the islands. With parts of the capital's ¤ Improved planning to reduce health
events (see page 94).
Funafu atoll just a few metres wide, risks from high sea levels.
¤ During king des (the highest des sea defences are no match for strong ¤ Protec on of fragile ecosystems
pacific waves.
from the effects of climate change.
fig.222 Parts of Tuvalu are very narrow.
Where now for Tuvalu? ¤ Protec on of fisheries; the people
of Tuvalu eat an average of 500
The government of Tuvalu has been
grammes of fish each day.
a strong advocate of interna onal
ac on to halt climate change. At the ¤ Improved disaster alerts and be er
2015 Paris climate conference, Tuvalu planning for cyclones.
voted against the plan to cap emissions While the people of Tuvalu prepare
at a level which would restrict for the worst, it may be decisions taken
temperature rises to 2 C. The Tuvalu elsewhere, in the richest na ons on
delegates argued that such a rise would Earth, which will decide their fate.

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Climate change has consequences.