12TH JULY, 2014 TAIPEI CITY, REPUBLIC OF CHINA (TAIWAN)
Transcript of 12TH JULY, 2014 TAIPEI CITY, REPUBLIC OF CHINA (TAIWAN)
12TH JULY, 2014
NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY
TAIPEI CITY, REPUBLIC OF CHINA (TAIWAN)
INTRODUCTION TO TUVALU
SIZE
Fourth smallest nation & second smallest developing nation
in the world
Landmass=26 square kilometres
Population=9,561 people
Landmass and population spread over 500,000 square
kilometres of sea territory
Funafuti is Tuvalu’s most populated island and holds 58% of
the population
ACCESSIBILITY
Travel between islands conducted by boat
Planes only travel to and from Tuvalu from
Fiji
Planes only depart for Tuvalu twice a week
and seat at most 40 people
Communications between islands
accomplished using telephones, postal
services and radiophones
Internet is available, but accessibility is
limited
ECONOMIC INFRASTRUCTURE
Strategies to Increase Revenues:
1. Tuvalu Maritime Training Institute trains seafarers
2. Marketing of national stamps and coins
3. Marketing of “.tv” domain name
4. Selling annual fishing licenses to foreign vessels
5. Establishment of Tuvalu Trust Fund and
Falekaupule Trust Fund
Limitations on Economic Growth:1. Limited exports and no land-based natural resources2. Infertile soil and limited water lead to restricted farming3. Reliance on imports and foreign development assistance
TOPOGRAPHY
All Tuvaluan land is “low-lying”
Tuvalu’s highest points are less than 5 metres above sea level
The majority of the population lives only 1 metre above sea level!
Tuvalu’s islands are extremely narrow
Construction during WWII has loosened soil and increased erosion
HOW CLIMATE CHANGE AFFECTS TUVALU
Max temperature in Funafuti has increased at 0.21°C per decade since 1950
From 1950-2009, Funafuti’s rate of sea-level rise was 3 times the global average
Ocean acidification levels near Tuvalu have been increasing since the 18th century
SEA LEVEL RISE
Sea levels will rise between ½ and 1 metre by 2100
The majority of Tuvalu’s populated land will disappear
Saltwater flooding will affect farming activities and water supplies
As sea levels rise, the people of Tuvalu will be displaced
SEVERE WEATHER EVENTS AND CORAL REEFS
Severe weather events, especially cyclones and droughts, are occurring more frequently
Corals are destroyed because of increases in water temperature and ocean acidification
Corals can no longer protect Tuvalu from severe weather events like cyclones
RISING TEMPERATURES
Annual air and sea surface temperatures will continue to increase
By 2030, temperature increases will amount to between 0.4°C and 1.0°C
Coral bleaching will increase, agricultural and marine resources will be reduced, fresh water will decline and Tuvaluan citizens will be affected by increased health risks
SUMMARY OF CLIMATE CHANGE EFFECTS
Sea level rise
Intense storms and tropical cyclones
Droughts
Increases in temperature
Increases in ocean acidification
TUVALU’S CURRENT CLIMATE CHANGE POLICIES
Tuvalu’s national strategy for sustainable development: Te Kakeega II (2005-2015)
Vision: “by 2015, guided by strong spiritual values enshrined in its motto—‘Tuvalu mo te Atua’—we will have achieved a healthy, educated, peaceful and prosperous Tuvalu.”
8 Strategic Areas:1. Good governance2. Macroeconomic growth and stability3. Social development4. Outer island and Falekaupule development5. Employment and private sector development6. Human resource development7. Natural resources development8. Development of infrastructure and support services
TUVALU’S CLIMATE CHANGE POLICIES
Te Kaniva, Tuvalu Climate Change Policy
2012 (TCCP)
1. Theory behind Tuvalu’s climate change policy
2. Includes a policy vision and 7 thematic goals
Tuvalu National Strategic Action Plan for Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management (NSAP)
1. TCCP’s implementation plan
2. Includes operational strategies, implementation arrangements, costing
and evaluation measures
TCCP VISION
“To protect Tuvalu’s status as a nation and its cultural identity and
to build its capacity to ensure a safe, resilient and prosperous
future.”
TCCP GOAL 1
Strengthening Adaptation Actions to Address Current and Future Vulnerabilities
TCCP Goal 2
Improving Understanding and Application of Climate Change Data, Information and
Site Specific Impacts Assessment to Inform Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction
Programmes
TCCP GOAL 3
Enhancing Tuvalu’s Governance Arrangements and Capacity to Access
and Manage Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management Finances
TCCP GOAL 4Developing and Maintaining Tuvalu’s Infrastructures to Withstand Climate Change Impacts, Climate Variability, Disaster Risks and Climate Change
Projection
TCCP GOAL 5
Ensuring Energy Security and a Low Carbon Future for Tuvalu
TCCP GOAL 6
Planning for Effective Disaster Preparedness, Response and
Recovery
TCCP GOAL 7
Guaranteeing the Security of the People of Tuvalu from the Impacts
of Climate Change and the Maintenance of National
Sovereignty
OPPORTUNITIES FOR TAIWANESE NPOS/NGOS
Implementing the TCCP and NSAP requires funding, expertise and manpower
Tuvalu engages in fruitful cooperation with TaiwanICDF
Monetary funding is necessary, but NPOs, NGOs and volunteer groups can provide assistance via professional knowledge and labour support
PLANNED RELOCATION—SOLUTION OR
PROCRASTINATION
If climate change and sea level rise are threatening Tuvalu, can’t the population just be relocated to a safer location?
Poses a threat to Tuvalu’s national sovereignty
Will allow major producers of greenhouse gas emissions to ignore the climate change problem
Conclusion