Possible Solutions to Helping Tuvalu

            Over the past thirty years, there has been a clear rise in sea levels and temperatures across the globe, a clear indication of climate change. In the United States and other developed nations, we have not seen how threatening and devastating the rise in sea levels actually are. Island nations in the Pacific, like Tuvalu, have had their lives turned upside down due to the rise in sea levels. We are not blind to the effects of climate change, but we are not actually experiencing first-hand what is going. Developed nations across the world claim responsibility due to fossil fuel emissions and vow to decrease their emissions. Though this is an important step to take to combat climate change, it is too late of a step to help those in Tuvalu. In order to help island nations like Tuvalu, we need to focus on them as a case by case basis and offer solutions that will help them integrate into a different society as the nations will eventually be underwater.

            It is extremely difficult to leave one’s home let alone be forced to move out of their home. The reality is that Tuvaluans do not want to leave their homes. As we discussed in class, only 9 out of 28 Tuvaluans said they would be willing to move away. Though this is a very small sample size, it still gives a small idea that Tuvaluans do not want to move. One possible solution to extending their time on the island is to offer aid, such as more secure shelters, food, water, and such to improve their quality of life on the island for as long as they can hold out. Those opposed to a solution such as this would say that the U.N. should allocate money and resources to help placing Tuvaluans to a safer locations and to get them adjusted to a new society because eventually they would need to move off the island. To them, money would be better well spent in a long term fix than a short term solution.

            This brings us to a second possible solution, funding Tuvaluan relocation and providing them with a somewhat seamless transition to a different society, such as New Zealand or Australia. The funds can help Tuvaluans be placed in a safe home, be secured a job and provide support groups to those transitioning from their old home. This solution would be better in the long run because money would not be used to fix a problem that can’t really be fixed. I tend to agree with this solution as opposed to the first solution because though it would be hard for the Tuvaluans to relocate their whole lives, if they are given the resources and support to lead a better life, it would make the transition easier. If Tuvaluans know that they will not just be thrown into some random society and viewed as outcasts, I think they would be more willing to leave their homes. It would not be easy, but if places like Australia and New Zealand are prepared for Tuvaluans, then the transition for Tuvaluans would be easier because they would feel welcomed. The reason why these nations can prepare for Tuvaluans is because they wouldn’t be thrown into their societies tomorrow. The nation of Tuvalu still has between 50-100 years before it is predicted to be below sea level. Australia and New Zealand can take time to prepare for the influx of people to be relocated. The transition would not happen at once, either. The relocation of Tuvaluans would happen in waves. Even at that, the population of Tuvalu is just about 11,000, so Tuvaluans would not be infiltrating other societies. Tuvalu needs help and a positive outlook of what their lives could be like in a different society is how they will be more easily persuaded to relocated.

            Overall, the situation is Tuvalu cannot be fixed simply by decreasing fossil fuel emissions. The condition in Tuvalu needs to be evaluated as an individual and separate issue and be treated as such. Thousands of lives are at stake. The transitions of Tuvaluans will not be easy, but it is necessary their issues be viewed differently than the global issues due to climate change.