Tuvalu, an islands country, is located in South Pacific. The tiny island nation was once home to Polynesians. The islands were home to migrants from the South Pacific during the 14th and 17th centuries. Prior to European contact, Tuvaluans lived as scattered communities, with a population of around 3,000. Most residents were descendants of immigrants.
Europeans explored the area in the 18th Century. Clvaro de Neyra a Spanish navigator was the first European to reach Tuvalu. Europeans began to forcibly employ plantation workers on the islands following the discovery. Many of these people were kidnapped by the Europeans and forced to work as plantation workers. Others fled to the larger Gilbert Islands.
Tuvalu was British colony until 1978, when it declared independence. Today, Tuvaluans constitute the majority population. There is also a sizable number of residents who are of other Pacific ethnic groups. People of other Pacific ethnicities often marry Tuvaluans.
Tuvalu's economic priority is to develop the economy without any foreign assistance. The government employs nearly 20 percent of the population. Tuvalu's economy may be small, but the country has never faced a strike or an economic crisis.
Tuvalu is part of the UN, UPU, and ACP Group. Tuvalu is also a member UNESCO and IMO, FAO, UNIDO and the Asian Development Bank. The government takes part in global efforts to stop pollution and reduce global warming. The Tuvalu government has been encouraging industrialized countries to ratify Kyoto Protocol.
Tuvalu's economy is based on fishing, agriculture, and subsistence farming. Copra is Tuvalu's only major cash crop. A lack of arable land means that there is little arable land. However, the farmers can still sell some of what they produce, and there are some exportable products. About 25 percent of GDP is made up by agricultural products.
Since 1986, Tuvalu's government has made a series of reforms. The population has risen. According to the United Nations in 2005, Tuvalu had a population of 10,000. This number is expected rise to 14,000 in 2025. About 6,000 Tuvaluans have reached 65 years or older.
The government of Tuvalu has not imposed any official political parties. Instead, 12 members make up the local parliament, which is generally organized into factions. The Tuvaluan constitution however allows for separation between the church and the state, contrary to other Polynesian countries. The government must also register religious organizations.
The Tuvalu Amateur Sport Association, Boy Scouts and Girl Guides are some of the most well-known organizations in Tuvalu. The Tuvalu Youth Fellowship and Pathfinders are two other organized youth groups. Secondary school graduates may be eligible to study at tertiary colleges abroad.
The Tuvaluan government does nothing to silence or censor the media. However, there are some restrictions on speech. While the law protects the press, the government doesn't have a television network or a commercial newspaper. The Tuvalu Broadcasting Service broadcasts local news in Tuvaluan. Internet access is also available through the Office of the Prime Minister and the Department of Telecommunications.
FAQ
How will climate change impact the world's oceans?
What are the impacts of climate changes on the oceans, and marine life worldwide?
Since its inception, climate changes have had significant impacts on the oceans of the world and the marine life that surrounds them. Constant oceanic warming due to the depleted ozone layer causes drastic disruptions in marine ecosystems resulting in a decrease in species and coral bleaching.
Climate change also causes unpredictable weather conditions and stronger storms. These extreme surges can be deadly for coastal areas. Furthermore, changes in temperature may reduce oxygen levels in water systems resulting in "dead zones" where abundant marine life becomes sparse.
Ocean acidification is also caused by carbon dioxide that is released into the air and then accumulates in the seas. Ocean acidification alters the pH balance, which makes it impossible for some animals, like oysters, crabs, and clams to adapt.
Higher temperatures can also cause changes in natural habitats. They may shrink or change their geographical location, making it unhabitable for species that depend on them. This increase in ocean stress accelerates already high extinction rates amongst many species worldwide causing a severe imbalance between predators and prey that might eventually lead to complete extinctions.
Climate change has ripple effects on entire ecosystems, affecting multiple species directly and indirectly. Evaporation, lowering water volumes, or temperature shifts can all impact sustainable development of fisheries and other maritime activities. Overall climate change continues one by one wiping out entire species from our planet transforming future lives on land but most importantly deep below the surface of our oceans.
What role does climate change play in greenhouse gas emissions?
Greenhouse gasses are key to climate change. They act like an invisible blanket surrounding the Earth, trapping the infrared radiation that warms it and keeping it from getting too hot. Without them, the Earth would be much colder today than it is today.
These greenhouse gases are created by human activity such as burning fossil fuels. As these activities continue to increase, more heat gets trapped in the atmosphere, leading to rising temperatures and extreme weather events.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the most common greenhouse gas. It is produced when fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas are burned. Methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and fluorinated gases (F-gases) are also major contributors to climate change.
Human activities have caused a significant increase in greenhouse gas concentrations since preindustrial times. This has led to global warming and an increase in temperatures all over the world, as well as in our oceans. It is also causing major changes such as stronger storms and more droughts, melting of glaciers, rising sea levels, and increased flooding.
To avoid more damage from climate changes, humans must reduce their emissions by switching away from fossil energy to increase their use of renewable energy like solar and wind power. There are also ways to reduce CO2 emissions, such as by planting trees and using agricultural techniques that absorb more of the gas. These actions will help reduce atmospheric concentrations in greenhouse gases and create a healthier ecosystem for all life.
How does climate change affect extreme weather events?
Extreme weather events, such as heat waves, floods, droughts, cyclones, storms, and hurricanes are directly linked to global warming. Global warming has caused an increase of atmospheric temperatures.
Climate scientists claim that the frequency of extreme weather related disasters has more then doubled since 1980. The sea level rises due to rising ocean temperatures and changing wind patterns. This impacts the normal distribution of storms or hurricanes in different areas across the globe.
2015 El Nino brought warm water towards South America. This led to increasing temperatures at an alarming pace and heavy rains that caused floods and displacement in Peru, Bolivia and other countries. Several places including Antarctica have recorded their highest-ever temperatures indicating a definite relation between global warming trends and the occurrence or frequency of extreme weather events around the world.
Another example is Hurricane Irma in 2017. It caused $50 billion economic loss to Florida and other states, as well as Puerto Rico and Cuba. This is yet another proof that climate change is responsible.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC) concluded, "Human activities are increasing the severity current climate change." This naturally leads worldwide to more severe, intense, and frequent natural disasters. There is strong evidence of humans' involvement with extreme weather events occurring frequently around us all.
Statistics
- According to the 2014 report on Climate Change Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability (page 8) from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, governments at various levels are also getting better at adaptation. (climate.nasa.gov)
- The 100 least-emitting countries generate 3 per cent of total emissions. (un.org)
- features Earth's average surface temperature in 2022 tied with 2015 as the fifth warmest on record, according to an analysis by NASA. (climate.nasa.gov)
- features Earth's average surface temperature in 2022 tied with 2015 as the fifth warmest on record, according to an analysis by NASA. (climate.nasa.gov)
- This source accounts for about 10% of all the water that enters this highly productive farmland, including rivers and rain. (climate.nasa.gov)
External Links
How To
How to Incorporate Sustainable Practices Into Your Daily Life To Fight Climate Change
You can implement sustainable practices in your daily life by reducing your consumption. Don't buy new items every single day. Instead, shop secondhand. Eating vegetarian meals at least once a week can reduce methane emissions from livestock production. To conserve energy, it is a good idea to turn off all lights when you leave a room.
One way to combat climate change, is to decrease emissions from transportation sources like planes and cars by carpooling. Renewable power sources, such as solar panels, can be used to replace traditional fossil fuels. In order to take effective action against climate change, it is vital that policy makers support clean air regulations. Engaging with others on issues such as plastic pollution and deforestation can be hugely beneficial, since it makes citizens more aware of the issue and encourages them to act.