Sinking Tuvalu Struggles to Maintain Maritime Boundaries Amid Rising Sea Levels, Reports Reuters

By Kirsty Needham

FONGAFALE, Tuvalu – Tuvalu, home to around 11,000 residents living on nine scattered atolls in the Pacific, is facing a critical situation as time runs out for its survival.

Fukanoe Laafai, a 29-year-old clerical worker, dreams of starting a family but struggles with the reality of rising sea levels threatening her home. "I think we are about to sink," she expresses, reflecting the fears of many in her community.

The tiny nation, with an average elevation of just 2 meters, has experienced a sea-level rise of 15 centimeters over the past thirty years, which is one-and-a-half times the global average. Scientists at NASA project that by 2050, daily tides will likely engulf half of Funafuti, the main atoll where 60% of Tuvalu’s population resides, with some areas only 20 meters wide.

Residents are already facing changes in their daily lives. With saltwater contaminating groundwater and ruining crops, Tuvaluans have turned to rainwater tanks and raised gardens for their food supply.

In a significant development this year, a climate and security agreement with Australia allows for 280 Tuvaluans to migrate to Australia annually starting next year. However, this has not alleviated the anxieties surrounding permanent relocation, which was evident in recent interviews conducted by media representatives with numerous residents and officials.

Some officials revealed an evolving diplomatic strategy aimed at securing Tuvalu’s status as a sovereign state, even as its land potentially vanishes beneath the ocean. The country is seeking to change international maritime law to retain control over a vast economic zone, which is highly valuable for fishing rights. They propose two options: a test case at an international maritime tribunal or a resolution from the United Nations.

Frustrated with the global response to their situation, Tuvalu’s diplomats have shifted their approach this year to focus on securing legal assurance for their maritime boundaries amid rising seas.

Although Tuvalu covers only 26 square kilometers, it boasts an exclusive economic zone of around 900,000 square kilometers, more than double the size of California. This expanse is crucial for maintaining the nation’s economic viability.

Concerns about cultural loss are prevalent among residents grappling with the potential of relocation. "Some will have to go, and some will want to stay here," said Maani Maani, a 32-year-old IT worker. Leaving their country would mean abandoning their culture, family, and heritage, which many feel is irreplaceable.

In the meantime, Tuvalu is attempting to buy time through the construction of sea walls and barriers designed to protect against increasingly severe storms. They have already created 7 hectares of artificial land in hopes it remains above water until at least 2100. By that time, projections indicate that sea levels could rise by a meter or more, potentially submerging 90% of Funafuti.

As Tuvalu seeks legal recognition of its existence, some residents plan to stay for as long as possible to affirm the country’s sovereignty. The requirement of dry land for statehood further complicates their situation, prompting a push to amend the law of the sea.

This week, a high-level United Nations meeting is set to address sea-level rise. Prime Minister Feleti Teo will appeal for support from member states for Tuvalu’s efforts to have its maritime boundaries recognized as permanent.

Teo wishes to emphasize that sea-level rise should be treated as a distinct issue rather than merely an extension of climate change discussions, which he views as a direct existential threat to Tuvalu’s identity and statehood.

The International Law Commission recently indicated support for the idea that sovereignty can persist even if a nation’s territory is partially or totally submerged due to climate change. However, the specifics of how to amend existing maritime conventions remain contentious.

Tuvalu’s rich fishing waters are exploited by foreign fleets, generating significant income for the nation. Recognizing its maritime boundaries as unchangeable would provide crucial economic support. Despite outreach efforts, not all diplomatic partners have formally supported Tuvalu’s position.

As Tuvalu’s neighbors back its stance regarding maritime boundaries, the nation continues to fight for legal assurances. Recent constitutional changes were made to cement the concept of perpetual statehood, recording the geographical coordinates of Tuvalu’s exclusive economic zone.

This legal groundwork is critical should Tuvalu need to seek a ruling regarding the impacts of climate change on its maritime boundaries.

As Jakofe Kofe, a lawmaker, pointed out, international recognition of their case could contribute to establishing customary international law favorable to small island nations affected by climate change.

While Tuvalu’s diplomats continue to advocate for international backing, local residents are confronting the immediate effects of climate change and the looming prospect of leaving their homeland. "Everyone is thinking about it," Maani noted, voicing fears about what might happen to the elderly if those of working age migrate first.

Laafai worries that her community will be fragmented just as she hopes to settle down, lamenting, "Tuvalu is very caring. Even if you don’t have much, you can share with relatives."