Home to just 10,000 people scattered across nine small coral islands, Tuvalu is one of the world's smallest countries. But it's facing an existential threat: rising sea levels are eating away at the land, making it a primary candidate to become uninhabitable due to climate change.
The impact is already devastating. Seawater is seeping into precious drinking-water wells. Experts predict that within a century, daily high tides alone could inundate over 90 per cent of Funafuti, Tuvalu’s capital where most of its people live. In a pioneering response, Australia has introduced a first-of-its-kind “climate visa” for Tuvaluan citizens.
This programme, part of the Falepili Union treaty, aims to provide a "pathway for mobility with dignity". It offers permanent residency and free movement to 280 Tuvaluans annually. However, at this rate, it would take around 40 years for the entire population to relocate.
Australia is also investing millions into coastal adaptation projects in Tuvalu. Tuvalu isn't just waiting; it's a powerful voice on the global stage, using its plight to highlight climate change's dramatic effects. Their former foreign minister, Simon Kofe, famously spoke from a lagoon to underscore their urgent message.
They’ve also called for a global fossil fuel nonproliferation treaty. This unique visa scheme highlights Tuvalu’s critical role as a test case for climate-induced displacement.