Out in the Pacific Ocean exist the tiny nation of Tuvalu. It’s 11,000 population live on nice coral islands scattered across and area of 1/2 million square miles. Tuvalu may also be the first nation in modern times to become geographically non-existent.

Image: moyak.com

Climate change, Global Warming or just natural events – Whatever you may want to call it, the fate of the island nation is most likely sealed.

The highest point on the island is 4.6 meters with most of the land just 1 meter above seal level. That may seem like quite a large rise in seal level to cover the islands but long before that waves and tidal surges will make life impossible for the inhabitants. The daily high tided along with the storms already bring flooding and water bubbling up around the island.

The catastrophe is going to affect the whole nation and for the people it is not just as simple as driving to another town or state to clear the danger. Long before the end is near some of the population will have emigrated. Maybe those people will be integral parts of the community, like medical, education or just fishermen. Whatever their job and with the population being just 11 thousand, every person leaving will start to create fractures in the nation. Long before the water covers the island the life of the people will become unsustainable.

Ian Fry the is the Tuvalu delegate to the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark.

From: The Wonk Room – Tuvalu To Obama And The Senate

Island and low lying areas of countries around the world are at long term risk and what we do about it is up to you. Leaving the solution to the bickering and deal making of politicians may come up with a solution, but it will also be too late.

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