April 18, 2021
“Tuvalu’s future at current warming, is already bleak, any further temperature increase will spell the total demise of Tuvalu…. For Small Island Developing States, Least Developed Countries, and many others, setting a global temperature goal of below 1.5 degrees Celsius relative to pre-industrial levels is critical. I call on the people of Europe to think carefully about their obsession with 2 degrees. Surely, we must aim for the best future we can deliver and not a weak compromise”10 -Enele S. Sopoaga, In his keynote speech in Paris, delivered on November 30th, 2015.His speech, along with the efforts of the High Ambition Coalition and AOSIS rallying major nations in Europe and securing the support of the United States of America behind their target, was able to convince them to accept the 1.5-degree threshold11. Tuvalu, Kiribati, and the rest of the small island nations rejoiced at this news. Though this victory took years to achieve, most recognize this, as one step forward on the path to a greener world, and for these small nations, a step towards securing the existence of the very land they are built upon. A problem with the Paris Climate Agreement is that there is no mechanism to enforce the agreements each nation has individually signed, meaning the adherence to the agreement is largely up to each individual nation’s discretion. A notable example of this is former U.S. President Donald J. Trump removing the United States from the Paris Climate Accord. Although leaving the agreement is a particularly drastic measure, a nation doesn’t necessarily have to withdraw from the agreement, however, with many nations across the globe failing to meet the goals that they set for themselves in 2020. In Europe, large nations such as Great Britain, Germany, and Poland have largely failed in their efforts to reduce carbon emissions. Germany for example is the largest economy in Europe and is usually seen as a role model for such international agreements in the region. Berlin has committed one hundred million dollars towards the forty eight least developed economies to assist them in meeting their Paris Climate goals. On the home front, however, the German government admitted that it is likely to fail at reaching its own goals for 2020. 12 It seems that in order to further reduce the risk of the thousands of islands disappear beneath the waves, as well as to curb more global effects of a warming climate, the Alliance – AOSIS and other international organizations must hold each other accountable on the international stage to ensure they stay below 1.5 degrees centigrade. Given the direction of current trends, developing nations such as the ones who comprise the AOSIS face a monumental task for sustainable development that can both improve the quality of life for its citizens, as well as developing in a sustainable, carbon-minimal manner for the future of their nation. Tuvalu as a sovereign nation has the smallest economy in the world, with a nominal GDP of 45 million dollars. Per capita, this is about 2,000 dollars. 13 Classified as a Least Developed Country (LDC) by the United Nations, the country’s small population is largely reliant on tourism, fishing, and is heavily dependent on international aid from international bodies such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Tuvalu’s small, ten-thousand strong population is also far too small to embrace a largely service-based economy like that of smaller nations such as Monaco, and is relatively isolated from global trade routes being in the center of the Pacific Ocean. Such challenges for the nation’s development will only become harder to overcome as the nation seeks to reduce carbon emissions. During the Covid-19 Pandemic, the tourism oriented economy of Tuvalu had been suffering greatly, slowing growth significantly, as most nations, including themselves, were forced to lock down in order to stem the spread of the disease worldwide. The nation’s single hospital in the capital of Funafuti was dangerously ill-equipped for a major outbreak, and with a lack of service outside of the main island’s immediate area. The food security of the nation was also heavily threatened due to the lack of any arable land, and negotiations were opened up with nearby nations to allow the shipping of food, fuel, and medical supplies beginning shortly after the shutdown. 14 As mentioned with Tuvalu’s unfortunately small health infrastructure, another issue with the sustainable development of the atolls is how unevenly portions of the nation are being developed, with the further outlying islands receiving less investments and and lagging behind to improve its infrastructure. This is particularly important given that these were the very islands that had to be evacuated after cyclone Pam. The nation’s islands are spread out over a large area of the South Pacific, despite having fewer than ten square miles of terrestrial land. Expanding and maximizing the use of the nation’s limited resources is key to allowing the nation to prosper in the coming century. Tuvalu has started the process by creating a sovereign trust fund in 1999 in order to achieve greater economic autonomy. As of 2018, the Tuvalu Trust Fund has 174 million Australian dollars worth of assets shored up, which is used to cover budget shortfalls and improve infrastructure. Such an investment may prove to be invaluable to the nation as it withstands mother nature’s onslaught at an ever-increasing severity and faster pace. Though Germany’s domestic approach to the Paris Accords is off to a rocky start, its method of offering international aid to less developed states is a strategy that may help greatly in the fight against rising seas. International cooperation between developing and developed nations can help greatly reduce their reliance on fossil fuels when seeking to industrialize. Even the Alliance of Small Island States has begun to take up a common role in assisting member nations, helping in the cleanup of natural disasters, organizing climate summits, and most recently, aiding in handling the 2019 Coronavirus global pandemic. Providing these states with the means to develop could disincentivize their governments from investing in coal, oil, and other fossil fuels. Going forward, It seems that the only way smaller nations such as Tuvalu, Kiribati, and other members of the Alliance of Small Island States can working towards slowing down climate change will be to work in tandem with larger nations together for a common goal. Given the dire situation, Tuvalu and many other low-lying nations are in, where most of their landmass would disappear before the end of 2100, even more aggressive measures are needed to prevent the widespread devastation of these island nations. Current solutions to the problem of climate change in small nations such as Tuvalu include fortifying the coastlines. This can be done with concrete or trees, which help reduce erosion and absorb Carbon Dioxide. Another method favored by Kiribati includes purchasing more land on neighboring Fiji, a much larger island nation that can be used as a relocation site should the entire nation of Kiribati become uninhabitable15. These options to fight off sea level rise, as well as relocating entire nations on foreign land are both costly measures that will drastically impact the lives of all citizens of Tuvalu. If necessary this will be the first ever time that an entire country must be evacuated for good. Perhaps the most unfortunate part of Tuvalu’s story is how unremarkable the disappearance of an entire country from the world map would be received internationally, far from any major shipping lands, seemingly of little importance, and being small in almost every other metric, none outside close neighbors in the South Pacific would even notice the country’s disappearance. Tuvalu’s peaceful corner of the world make it challenging to generate serious and sustained international concern about its impending fate. Other small nations who find themselves in Tuvalu’s position can take steps to secure their existence by following the lessons in leadership from former Prime Minister Sopoaga. Using international organizations such as the Alliance of Small Island States, Tuvalu and other smaller countries can build coalitions consisting of smaller states back by powerful ones committed to slowing the advance of climate change for future rounds of international talks and allow the rest of the world to hear the urgency of the unique threats climate change poses to the small, low-lying island nations and press for more international coordinated action.
Climate change
Enele S. Sopoaga
Pacific Islanders
Paris Agreement
Paris Climate Agreement
Paris Talks
Prime Minister of Tuvalu
Courtney Mcclellan
The fact that the larger developed countries were not willing to help bring down the temp. increase to 1.5 says a lot about how much they care about small islands. This article really highlights how small nations are punished for the actions of larger, more developed nations that refuse to accept their role and change.It’s heartbreaking to me that this happened and that so many people would not even care if these peoples home was destroyed because of the actions of others.
14/09/2022
3:27 pm
Kayla Braxton-Young
This article was filled with lots of information. It was very lengthy and provided a lot of facts about what happened. The visuals were great, especially the first one at the top of the page. That actually grabbed my attention and I wanted to read about what happened. This article talked about climate change and how islands are highly current and pertinent because one of the major risks to humanity at the moment is global warming. This article was a good article to read and I learned a lot from this. I really enjoyed tis well written article.
14/09/2022
3:27 pm
Carolina
This topic is extremely relevant, especially in light of our current climate and the rise of climate change. As the temperature rises around the globe, the severity of El Nino and El Nina storms increases. We are currently in an El Nino era with extreme heat and massive amounts of humidity causing more room for storms. Especially in tropical areas which are already prone to high humidity content. With increased amounts of poverty in these island areas it is harder for communities to recover without the help of outside sources. As the Article mentions it is very important to include larger countries with more resources to help those who cannot help themselves to keep our world beautiful.
15/01/2023
3:27 pm
Carolina Wieman
This topic is extremely relevant, especially in light of our current climate and the rise of climate change. As the temperature rises around the globe, the severity of El Nino and El Nina storms increases. We are currently in an El Nino era with extreme heat and massive amounts of humidity causing more room for storms. Especially in tropical areas which are already prone to high humidity content. With increased amounts of poverty in these island areas it is harder for communities to recover without the help of outside sources. As the Article mentions it is very important to include larger countries with more resources to help those who cannot help themselves to keep out world beautiful.
15/01/2023
3:27 pm
Lauren Sahadi
This article sheds light on climate change and what it does to small nations. It shows what leaders have done to help and the importance of international cooperation and what it takes to help decrease climate change and rising sea levels. The article was very interesting and it was nice to see something as important as climate change be integrated with the subject of international affairs. Great job.
11/02/2024
3:27 pm
Esmeralda Gomez
Exploring Cyclone Pam’s impact on Tuvalu was truly enlightening. As someone who is fascinated by natural disasters, witnessing Mother Nature’s destructive force is both captivating and heart-wrenching. Tuvalu’s vulnerability highlights the stark reality of climate change’s toll on low-lying nations. It’s a poignant reminder of the urgent need for global action to mitigate and adapt to these devastating events.
18/02/2024
3:27 pm
Nicole Estrada
The article exposes the under-appreciated situation of small island states, such as Tuvalu, which are disproportionately affected by climate change despite making modest contributions to it. It reveals the bigger, wealthier nations’ unwillingness to limit temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, revealing a concerning disrespect for the weak. Such disregard highlights the critical need for global solidarity and action to safeguard these people from the environmental destruction caused by others’ activities. Personally this past year I participated in the ESMOAS and learned more about island nations and can appreciate how this article advocates for small island states and how they are impacted by climate change.
18/02/2024
3:27 pm
A’marie Pollard
The devastation wrought by Cyclone Pam on the Vanuatu archipelago and the subsequent impact on the people of Tuvalu is truly heart-wrenching. It’s a stark reminder of the immense power and destructive force of natural disasters, and the disproportionate burden they often place on vulnerable communities.
20/02/2024
3:27 pm
Martin Martinez
I’ve never heard of small islands joining to fight for something that the international community has recognized as substantial. Apathy and a concern for only prosperity is an unfortunate concomitant of having established a sizeable nation, and it is not easy to reconcile the ideas of first-world countries with those whose populations most people will never hear of in their lifetime. At least one story gets to be shared.
28/02/2024
3:27 pm
Trenton Boudreaux
It’s a disturbing trend how, despite us in the developed world producing the most pollution, the ones who will suffer most from a climate disaster would be the smaller nations who barely contributed anything. A very well written, if slightly depressing article. I hope that we can get our act together in time to prevent such a crisis from destroying several island nations in the pacific or Caribbean.
19/09/2021
3:27 pm