Tuvalu and Impacts of Global Warming Essay -- Anthropology

Tuvalu is a nation that is hanging on the brink of extinction. The effects of global warming have had an enormous impact on the sustainability of life within the nation. Consisting of nine coral atolls, the highest point is five meters, and the average height is less than two meters above sea level. (UN) The lasting impacts that global warming has on Tuvalu include: rising sea levels, coral bleaching, ocean acidification and scarce amounts of fresh water. However while these factors are all directly environmental problems, global warming has the potential to destroy the rich cultural life in Tuvalu, where eleven thousand residents live. The land is disappearing and the lives of citizens are threatened. Realistic and radical approaches to these problems faced by Tuvalu include evacuation of all residents to a safe location (realistic), or the building of an Environmental Island known as Green Float (radical). Both solutions save the residents of Tuvalu, however there is no hope to sav e the land which has been doomed by the industrial endeavors that have caused global warming. Evacuation of the citizens of Tuvalu will save them from submerging with their nation, however the question of where they could evacuate comes to question. â€Å"After being rebuffed by Australia, the Tuvaluans asked New Zealand to accept its 11,000 citizens, but it has not agreed to do so.†(Brown) Tuvalu is â€Å"one-half of the way between Hawaii and Australia,† (CIA) which makes Australia a likely candidate for migration of Tuvaluans, likewise with New Zealand. However, both of these nations have denied Tuvalu accessible land for migration. â€Å"The idea of climate refugees is still something these Pacific islands are looking at, and the governments and organizations... ...Tuvalu: Flooding, Global Warming, and Media Coverage." Tuvalu: Flooding, Global Warming, and Media Coverage. Web. 19 Apr. 2012. . Matau, Robert. "PACNEWS." PACNEWS - Regional News. Pacific Islands News Association. Web. 08 May 2012. . Shimizu Corporation. "The Botanical City Concept." TRY2025 The Environmental Island -GREEN FLOAT. Web. 08 May 2012. . UN. "Tuvalu’s Views on the Possible Security Implications of Climate Change to Be Included in the Report of the UN Secretary General to the UN General Assembly 64th Session." Web. 19 Apr. 2012. .