Tuvalu, one of the Pacific Ocean’s small island developing states (SID), is not a stranger to the threats of extreme natural disasters. The effects of climate change – rising sea levels and warming oceans- make extreme natural events more frequent and severe.
Tuvalu is also comprised of low-lying atoll islands, and most of its population is no more than two meters above sea level. Â Coastal erosion, saltwater intrusion, and storm-hazard threaten its land, crops, livelihood, and people.
Tuvaluan’s dependence on natural resources, inadequate infrastructure and human resources, low socioeconomic status, and lack of institutional capacities are why they are vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
At international conferences on climate change, Tuvaluan has been very vocal about the challenges they face, creating global awareness of the impacts of climate change on these low-lying atoll nations (Stop Tuvalu, 2019).
When Cyclone Pam hit Tuvalu in March 2015, almost half its population was displaced, destroying their homes, crops, and livelihood. Their total losses were equivalent to one-third of its GDP at the time.
Climate models’ projections suggest that Tuvalu will experience more extreme rainfall and tropical cyclones will become less, but those that will occur will be more powerful and destructive. At the same time, sea-level rise will increase every year.
Tuvalu’s existing coastal protection measures are inadequate and would require urgent action if the low-lying atoll nation is to survive higher sea levels, storm surges, and seawater intrusion.
With the assistance from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) of US$36 million and the Tuvalu government’s counterpart of US$2.9 million, the country set up the Tuvalu Coastal Adaptation Project (TCAP) to protect itself from coastal hazards.
The TCAP will implement measures to reduce coastal hazards in the three target islands, develop a long-term coastal adaptation strategy, build the capacity of its national and local authorities, and invest in their youth as future stewards of Tuvalu.
Tuvalu and other low-lying atoll nations in the Pacific Ocean are certainly not alone in their fight against climate change. Through the GCF, the global community can extend assistance through funds and capacity building through skills and knowledge to help countries adapt to climate change and thrive in their regions.
Hopefully, the assistance through funding, skills, and technology sharing will produce long-term and enduring learning for vulnerable countries, resulting in self-reliance and self-sufficiency.
To learn more about the Tuvalu Coastal Adaptation Project, click on the button below:
Source
Climate Change and Tuvalu. (2018). TCAP. Retrieved from https://tcap.tv/climate-change.
Stop Tuvalu and ‘the word from sinking’ UN chief tells island nation facing existential threat from rising seas. (2019, May 17). UN News. Retrieved from https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/05/1038661
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