Tuvalu is sinking: its population is already asking to be relocated

An exodus is happening in real time

Climate change has altered our world forever and promises more changes to come. However, nowhere is the threat of our changing world more real than in Tuvalu, where the situation has become critical.

A small South Pacific archipelago

The small island nation of Tuvalu is an archipelago located in the South Pacific. It sounds like an idyllic paradise, but research suggests that the entire nation of Tuvalu could be submerged under water this century.

Tuvalu is facing an existential crisis

Faced with the existential threat of no longer having any landmass, more than a third of Tuvalu's population has already applied for a visa to move to Australia, seeking a future away from the advancing waters.

Tuvalu, underwater in 2050

With just over 10,000 inhabitants and a maximum altitude of just five meters above sea level, Tuvalu is one of the nations most exposed to the effects of climate change. NASA scientists estimate that much of its territory will be submerged below the current high tide level by 2050.

Expecting hundreds of flooding days a year

By the end of the century, Tuvalu is expected to experience more than 100 days of flooding per year, which not only threatens the nation's population but could also make the entire archipelago uninhabitable.

Climate Visa: the exodus from Tuvalu

More than 4,000 Tuvaluans have applied for a special visa to migrate to Australia. This 'climate visa,' a world first, allows the relocation of citizens threatened by the effects of climate change.

Looking at mass relocation

Tuvalu has become the first country to implement a mass relocation plan due to the environmental crisis. However, it may not be the only country to do so if some of the world's worst climate predictions come true.

A pact for survival

In 2024, Tuvalu and Australia signed a bilateral agreement to facilitate migration for Tuvaluans affected by climate change, guaranteeing the country's sovereignty even if its physical territory disappears.

Australia opened its doors to Tuvalu

Australia is offering 280 visas annually to Tuvaluan citizens through a lottery that will take place between July 2025 and January 2026, according to CNN. Those selected will receive permanent residency and access to key services such as employment, healthcare, and education.

Australia is investing in Tuvalu's defense

In addition to facilitating humanitarian visas, Australia has pledged nearly €209 million (roughly $246 million) to fund coastal adaptation projects in Tuvalu. The investment seeks to strengthen the archipelago's defenses against advancing seas, in an attempt to buy time in the face of the existential threat of climate change.

Nowhere to relocate in Tuvalu

Tuvalu's Prime Minister, Feleti Teo, has stated that internal relocation is not a viable option due to the low elevation of the land and the lack of habitable space. Given this reality, the government considers migration as the only way to ensure the survival of its population.

Tuvalu wants to save its culture and identity

The migration of Tuvaluans poses a crucial challenge: how to preserve their culture and identity in exile. The country seeks to maintain its sovereignty and protect its heritage, even if its population is forced to move. The struggle is no longer just against climate change, but for the continued existence of a nation without a territory.

Tuvalu prepares to go online

Faced with the threat of physical extinction, Tuvalu has announced a pioneering measure: the creation of a 'digital nation'. This online space will preserve the country's history, administration, and culture, ensuring Tuvalu's continuity even if its territory is submerged, a report from the Spanish-language news outlet Infobae explained.

Creating the world's first online nation

Tuvalu will be the first nation in the world to move online as a form of existential resistance, but as we previously noted, it may not be the last. According to Live Science, the Maldives, Kiribati, and Marshall Islands, alongside Tuvalu, have the highest percentage of their land area at risk as a result of climate change.

Tuvalu, a precedent for the world

Furthermore, Australia has formally recognized Tuvalu's sovereignty and maritime boundaries, even in the extreme scenario of its physical territory disappearing beneath the sea. This commitment sets an unprecedented precedent in international law, recognizing the continuity of a state without a territory, according to The Guardian.

Tuvalu will not give up

Despite the progressive exodus of its population, Tuvalu remains committed to its continued existence. The country is exploring climate change adaptation measures, such as coastal protection, land reclamation, and improved environmental management. While preparing its population for possible displacement, it is also fighting to buy time in the face of advancing seas.