Canaries in a Coal Mine: Island Nations of Vanuatu and Tuvalu
By Scott Hill, Theo Papademetriou, and Robyn Wardell
Vanuatu is an archipelago made up of 83 islands. It is located 1,750 Tuvalu- Formerly known as The Ellice Islands, Tuvalu gained km east of Australia in the South Pacific. The nation’s two larges independence from English governance in 1978. Tuvalu has a islands, Espiritu Santo and Lalakula account for half of the country’s subtropical climate with tradewinds occurring from May to total land area. The population of Vanuatu is 94% indigenous October. The region is warm, humid, and wet between Melanesian. Vanuatu became a sovereign nation in 1980 when they November and April. There is a mean annual temperature of 86 were granted autonomy by their former colonial ruler, the British degrees with little seasonal variation. It rains fifty percent more government. Between May and October, daytime temperatures are often during the wetter season than during the drier one. generally in the 70s-80s F, with nights in the 60s-70s F. Southeast trade winds keep the climate nearly ideal. Rain can occur throughout the year, but it's heaviest January-April, which is also hurricane Local Effects of Global Climate Change season. What Can Be Done? Sea level rise is related to the increase in global atmospheric Ramifications of Global Warming on Society In an effort to raise global awareness about the effects of climate temperature as a result of anthropogenic climate change. The change and dependence on fossil fuels, Tuvalu is leading the global Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) links this Displacement: Climate change threatens the existence of the initiative to utilize sustainable energy and the government has increase in sea level due to a number of different factors including, people and cultures of Vanuatu and Tuvalu, as many inhabitants have committed the nation to being powered 100% by renewable energy but not limited to, the thermal expansion of water as a result of been forced to migrate to avoid the effects of rising seas. They must sources by 2020. atmospheric temperature and melt off of land-locked glaciers and migrate to places where their traditions and beliefs may erode and Aided by the e8 (“a consortium of G8 country electricity firms”), floating Antarctic ice. The following graphs outline some of the disappear when it comes in contact with the dominant culture. Tuvalu is currently laying the infrastructure of an extensive solar local effects of climate change as recorded on Tuvalu since 1990: The three mainstays of Vanuatu’s economy are heavily reliant on power grid to further reduce their dependence on fossil fuels. Both the weather. They include agriculture, fishing, and tourism. e8 and Tuvalu hope that the nation’s movement toward carbon Agriculture: Agriculture is vulnerable to changes in weather As seen here, there are two “peaks” in neutrality will deliver a message on the world forum that global patterns. Vanuatu’s economy is heavily reliant on the production of the measurements, one around warming poses a very real threat and that there needs to be a strong copra, kava, beef, cocoa, and timber. The industry provides a living for 1995-1996 and the second around global response to the current addiction to fossil fuels, especially 65% of the country’s population. 2004-2006. The second peak records considering the upcoming Copenhagen climate talks occurring in Fishing: This is another mainstay of economies of most Pacific higher temperatures than the first, December, 2009. Islands. It is predicted that by 2050, large numbers of marine species suggesting a general trend of Currently there are several instances of litigation addressing the will migrate from warm seas toward cooler waters. The migration of increasing atmospheric temperatures. issues of specific culpability in regards to climate change. The Journal certain fish species out of their natural habitats could cause food of International Law and Wildlife Policy has filed an amicus curiae shortages for the people of Tuvalu and Vanuatu who depend on local brief, suing in regards to the slow (drowning/flooding/disappearance) seafood as a staple of their diet. of Vanuatu, Kiribati and Nauru. Water temperature shows two Tourism: Vanuatu and Tuvalu attract a large amount of tourists In addition, the Nation of Tuvalu is preparing to sue the United apparent peaks along with much due to their slow lifestyle, beautiful beaches, and balmy weather. States and Australia in the International Court of Justice for their more seasonal variation than air Changes is climate will impact the experience of tourists negatively. culpability in contributing to global warming. temperature, most likely due to Vanuatu is also surrounded by the beautiful Bokissa Coral Tuvalu is also suing U.S. companies in domestic courts for their role the region’s sensitivity to the Reef, which reels in many tourists. Slight changes in conditions have in global warming. effects of El Niño. Again a profound effects on coral, so this natural wonder is gradually Future? general upward trend is seen with diminishing, threatening the tourist industry that relies upon it. fluctuating rates over time. Damage to Infrastructure: These islands have most of their If sea levels continue to rise at their current rate, the government infrastructure, industry, and residences concentrated in coastal zones. will have no other option except to order the evacuation of all As a result, they must alter housing construction and design, and the residents of Tuvalu. Vanuatu will be faced with severe flooding and The increase in sea level is a local location of settlements, water supply, agriculture and fisheries in order erosion and will be faced with a massive citizen relocation project. effect of what the previous two to adapt to the changes brought by rising sea levels. Distant Cousins In Desperation graphs mean globally. The general Though Tuvalu and Vanuatu are separated by nearly 1500km of trend of increase is best seen in the Pacific Ocean, the future of both nations is threatened by the effects “maximum” plot, but more realistically of (climate change/global warming). plotted under the “mean” as this is a long-term process with many variables.
References: Buckens, Marie M. "Pacific Islands face up to global warming." The Courier Feb. 2008. Print. "Climate Change and the Pacific Islands." Ministerial Conference on Environment and Development in Asia and the Pacific. 5 Sept. 2000. Web. "Climate Change and the Pacific Islands." United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. Web. 07 Dec. 2009.