Tuvalu: A Struggle to Preserve Maritime Boundaries Amid Rising Sea Levels

A small island nation in the Pacific Ocean, is in a race against time as rising sea levels threaten its very existence. The country, comprising nine coral atolls, is home to about 11,000 people, who are increasingly facing the harsh realities of climate change. With its average elevation barely 2 meters above sea level, Tuvalu has experienced a sea-level rise of 15 cm in the last three decades, which is significantly higher than the global average. This situation poses an existential threat, not only to the nation’s land but also to its culture, economy, and sovereignty.

Rising Sea Levels and Their Impact

For many Tuvaluans, the reality of sinking beneath the ocean waves is no longer a distant possibility but an imminent threat. According to projections by NASA, by 2050, daily tides will inundate half of the main atoll, Funafuti, home to 60% of the population. The atoll’s narrow strip of land, in some places as slim as 20 meters, is already witnessing significant damage from saltwater intrusion, which has destroyed freshwater supplies and rendered the soil unfit for agriculture.

Tuvaluans are now relying on rainwater tanks and raised central gardens to grow vegetables, as the once fertile land has been ruined by saltwater. This gradual submersion of their land raises deep concerns about the future, as the country continues to battle the impact of climate change.

A Family’s Dilemma: To Stay or Leave?

Many residents, like 29-year-old Fukanoe Laafai, face the dilemma of whether to start families in a land that might no longer exist by the time their children reach adulthood. “I think we are about to sink,” Laafai says, encapsulating the anxiety that grips the Tuvaluan people.

The looming threat of permanent relocation is a difficult prospect. As Maani Maani, an IT worker from Fongafale, remarks, “To leave a country means leaving behind culture, family, and identity. It’s a very hard decision to make.” These sentiments reflect the emotional and cultural costs that come with the possibility of displacement, which many Tuvaluans find hard to accept.

Diplomatic Efforts to Preserve Sovereignty

Faced with this existential crisis, Tuvalu is fighting for more than just land—it is fighting for its continued existence as a sovereign nation. In recent years, Islands diplomats have shifted their approach toward establishing legal safeguards to ensure the nation’s maritime boundaries and sovereignty remain intact, even if the land itself is submerged. They are pursuing two potential pathways: a test case in the international maritime tribunal or a United Nations resolution to recognize Tuvalu’s maritime zone and sovereignty as permanent, regardless of sea-level changes.

This strategy seeks to preserve control over the vast maritime area around Tuvalu, rich in fishing resources, which remains a critical component of the country’s economy. Fishing licenses generate approximately $30 million annually, and the island also benefits from the sale of its .tv internet domain. Tuvalu would have a vital economic lifeline if it could maintain control over its maritime borders in the face of an uncertain future.

Frustration with Global Response

Despite the diplomatic efforts, Tuvaluan officials express frustration with the global response. Although some progress has been made, including the signing of treaties and communiqués with neighboring Pacific nations and other global partners, many of Tuvalu’s diplomatic overtures have gone unanswered. If Island’s marine borders are not acknowledged internationally, officials fear more illicit fishing and income loss.

In 2023, a landmark climate and migration treaty was signed between Tuvalu and Australia. The agreement provides a pathway for 280 Tuvaluans annually to migrate to Australia, offering some relief for those who choose to leave. Australia has committed to providing $11 million to support coastal adaptation projects in Tuvalu, a critical investment to help the country buy more time as it continues its battle against rising seas.

Sea Walls and Artificial Islands: A Temporary Solution

To stave off the immediate threat, Tuvalu has embarked on ambitious construction projects, including the building of sea walls and the creation of artificial land. These initiatives aim to protect the nation from storm surges and tides while buying time for residents to decide their future. Funafuti, Tuvalu’s main atoll, now has seven hectares of artificial land, and more projects are planned to keep the islands above water until at least 2100.

However, these measures are only temporary. Projections suggest that by 2100, sea levels around Island’s could rise by as much as 1 meter, which would place 90% of Funafuti underwater. The question remains: Can Tuvalu hold on long enough for a global solution to climate change to take hold?

Legal and Diplomatic Maneuvers to Ensure Statehood

In addition to constructing physical defenses, Tuvalu is working to ensure its statehood remains recognized, even in the event of total submersion. Under international law, the existence of dry land is a key requirement for maintaining sovereignty. Therefore, Tuvalu has begun advocating for changes to the law of the sea, arguing that maritime boundaries and statehood should remain intact, even if an island nation’s land is submerged.

Prime minister, Feleti Teo, spoke to the UN General Assembly at a high-level gathering to rally support for this initiative. In order to maintain its economic zone and statehood, Tuvalu intends to get international recognition of its maritime borders as unchangeable. As Tuvalu’s permanent secretary for foreign affairs, Pasuna Tuaga, stated, “It is an existential threat to Tuvalu’s statehood and survival of its identity.”

The International Community’s Role

The international community has taken notice of Tuvalu’s plight, and in 2021, the United Nations International Law Commission signaled its support for the continued recognition of statehood for nations whose land is partially or fully submerged. Nevertheless, some members remain reluctant to amend the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, preferring alternative routes to achieve similar goals.

Tuvalu has found support from neighboring Pacific Island nations, with 18 members of the Pacific Islands Forum declaring that their maritime boundaries are fixed, regardless of sea-level changes. Additionally, Tuvalu has signed bilateral agreements with 15 governments across Asia and Europe affirming that its boundaries will not be altered by rising sea levels.

However, among the major fishing fleets that operate in Tuvalu’s waters, only Taiwan and Fiji have signed such agreements, raising concerns about the future of Tuvalu’s fishing revenue and sovereignty.

International Legal Efforts: A Step Forward

Tuvalu’s push for international legal recognition of its sovereignty recently received a boost. As a co-chair of the Commission of Small Island States (COSIS) on Climate Change and International Law, Island has played a pivotal role in advancing the legal framework for small island nations affected by climate change. In May 2023, COSIS won an advisory opinion from the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea, which affirmed that states have an obligation to protect the sea from the effects of climate change. This ruling, though not addressing maritime boundaries directly, sets a significant precedent for Tuvalu and other island nations fighting for their future.

Conclusion: The Fight to Save Tuvalu’s Identity

The fate of the island is a stark reminder of the interconnectedness of climate change and the survival of vulnerable nations. As the island continues its diplomatic and legal efforts to secure its sovereignty and maritime boundaries, its people are left grappling with the daily realities of climate change. For now, Island is buying time with sea walls, artificial islands, and migration agreements, but the clock is ticking.

The story of Island is not just one of a sinking island but a global wake-up call. As small island nations like its disappear beneath the rising seas, the international community must take immediate action to combat climate change. If the world fails to act, it may serve as a tragic prelude to the fate awaiting other low-lying nations. The battle for the islands survival is not just about preserving its land but its culture, economy, and identity—an identity that could be lost forever if urgent climate action is not taken.

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