TOKU TIA: Tuvalu and the impacts of climate change (2025)

Contrasted views on environmental change and migration: the case of Tuvaluan migration to New Zealand

2011

Edited by Elzbieta Gozdziak, Georgetown University all responsible for the creation of environmental change in which some Tuvaluans have sought to respond through emigration to New Zealand.

Tuvalu, climate change and culture

Climate Migrants and New Identities? The geopolitics of rejecting or embracing mobility

New evidence is emerging to suggest that climate change mobility is giving effect to changing forms of island identity among Tuvaluans and i-Kiribati. This nascent shift prompts a number of questions addressed in this paper. What, for example, does climate change migration mean for island identity and its geographic performance? How does the spatialization of identity inform shared experiences of climate change, and how does identity assist in the formation of shared positions from which to advocate for change? Drawing on discourses of sedentarism and mobilization among Tuvaluan and i-Kiribati, we explore performances of identity related to climate change being fashioned and refashioned in different contexts.

Tuvalu: Issues and Events, 1 July 2005 to 30 June 2006

2007

On Being a Tuvaluan Tino Tusitala Reporting from the Frontlines of Global Warming

South Pacific Islands Communication, 2008

As Polynesian journalists grapple with the many issues which impact upon their daily work in their respective countries, they do so in environments in which their professional and cultural status is highly problematic and sometimes vigorously contested. While their governments give assent to Western principles of good governance, including the role of the journalistic media as a pillar of any good governance regime and accept donor funding to improve media capacity and performance, and their own media relations, when a crisis erupts caused by a journalist doing his job rather well, governments tend to selectively invoke "tradition" or "the Pacific Way" to criticise, and even silence, the media. Drawing on the first detailed study of Tuvaluan journalism ever undertaken as a case study, and taking account of emerging Oceanic philosophy, this chapter argues that a way forward for Polynesian journalists is to carefully re-frame their professional activities by reference to the cultural roles performed by their respective traditional heralds, orators and messengers. The implications for this careful re-framing of Polynesian journalism for journalists, their employers, governments, NGOs, regional journalism educators and overseas donors will also be considered. This chapter, and the theorising and research it describes, started out to address two issues. Why are Tuvaluan journalists so reluctant to send their stories overseas? Can resurgent Oceanic epistemologies be deployed to assist in improving the mana (status) of Pacific journalists?

MIGRATION IS A DEFINITE NO, BUT RATHER A MATTER OF CHOICE | Voices from the margin

This analysis attempts to examine as to why the Government and the people of Tuvalu continue to argue that migration should not be an option for Tuvalu. To establish the case, it is necessary to do a brief analysis of the socio-cultural context that informs the Government’s stance. Subsequently, I will discuss the possible remedies available for Tuvalu should the worst-case scenario arise and the indigenous population has no option but to leave. The matter is sensitive on many counts. There are legal implications for Tuvalu as a sovereign state, its citizens, as well as for the receiving country(ies) faced with the transboundary movement of people. What is more important to show is how research can establish the nexus between the problems Tuvaluans face and the reaction from the international community. What are the merits of existing options for Tuvaluans like the Nansen Climate Passport scheme and the purchasing of lands within the Pacific region? In this research, I intend to outline several possible options (B, C, D) that are now to be examined and evaluated by our policy- makers - mindful that time is of the essence.

Sea Research Society's Expanded UNDEF Grant Application to Study Polynesian Pleistocene (Palaeolithic) Occupation History at the Caves of Nanumanga

This expanded UNDEF grant application re-emphasizes that the recognition of Tuvaluan oral history is a very important avenue to enhance cultural and social empowerment of Tuvaluans and the other nations of Polynesia. The project offers broadened recognition of the indigenous people utilizing their unique histories to raise people's self-esteem, self-respect, and to improve their inclusion and contribution to the world's decision-making on the risk of sea level rise. The Palaeolithic Site of the Caves of Nanumanga is extremely important site for understanding the Oceanian population history, the Ice Ages period, and the past sea level rises with implications to the present day situation. The ancient Tuvaluan nation’s experience becomes the new starting point for ALL Pacific island nations’ future and policy-making that is tied to destabilization of world’s remaining ice sheets. The people of Nanumanga have seen sea rising over 46 metres since they first occupied their home island. In the past the West has ignored Tuvalu due to its remoteness and insignificant population size. Tuvalu’s very old history is the main concern to the nation's citizens: “The caves are currently submerged underneath the ocean, highlighting the profound change in sea level over time. Public controversies regarding sea level changes in contemporary Tuvalu are thus set against this background.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caves_of_Nanumanga Project results are to guide other islands of the region to check out their paleocoastlines for further cues when the Pacific Ocean’s human conquest had reached them. Thus, the results from the Fire Caves of Nanumanga will be amplified by further discoveries in the region. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_Research_Society

Water Scarcity and its Negative Impact on Health: Case Study of Funafuti, Tuvalu

2015

Acknowledgements I would like to take this opportunity to firstly thank the Lord who is the source of my strength and life. Even though I falter many times and my faith seldom seem to dwindle, I knew that He has never forsaken me and always guided me. My heartfelt gratefulness and utmost appreciation goes to my supervisor, Professor Ana Maria Rodrigues Monteiro Sousa for her tireless assistance and guidance throughout this research process and also for being an inspiration and an exceptional mentor. Also Luis Fonseca, your friendly and technical assistance is really appreciated. I thank the European Union for the scholarship opportunity enabling me to further my studies. I am also very thankful and forever be appreciative to the contribution, assistance and friendliness of the following professors who educated me at the University of Porto: Prof.

The Big Smallness of Tuvalu

Climate change and migration from atolls? No evidence yet

Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, 2023

People living on low-lying coral atolls are highly exposed to climate change and there is much discussion that climate change is and will increasingly force their migration. This article presents findings from a systematic literature review on climatechange migration in atolls. We found an implicit (if not explicit) assumption in the literature that migration driven by climate change is already happening, yet the literature shows no empirical evidence of this to date. The prevailing assumption that outmigration is the only option has meant there is little consideration of local adaptation options in the literature, with little attention to how people living in these places may want to adapt, nor scrutiny of the enabling policies and institutions necessary for them to secure their futures.