Climate change versus livelihoods, heritage and ecosystems in small Island states of the Pacific: a case study on Tuvalu

Shafi Noor Islam (), Sandra Reinstädtler (), Md Sumon Reza (), Shammya Afroze () and Abul Kalam Azad ()
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Shafi Noor Islam: Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Jalan Tungku Link
Sandra Reinstädtler: Independent Scientist as University of Technology Dresden - Alumna
Md Sumon Reza: East-West University
Shammya Afroze: Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Jalan Tungku Link
Abul Kalam Azad: Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Jalan Tungku Link

Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, 2023, vol. 25, issue 8, No 13, 7669-7712

Abstract: Abstract Global warming and climate change represent current threats for island states in the Pacific Ocean region. Next to global warming and the effects of Sea Level Rise, the resulting vulnerability of coastal offshore, shoreline, and oceanic ecosystems are additional factors that need to be considered urgently. As a coastal atoll area and part of the Pacific Small Island States, Tuvalu is now under threat with its cultural landscapes due to climate change impacts. The country and its landscapes surround an area of only 26 km2, where 11,810 people live in hostile climatic conditions. The Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change projected that Tuvalu would probably be the first country to sink underwater. The question arises about sustainable solutions for ongoing security and a habitable situation for people, culture, landscapes, and ecosystems. Unstable agricultural crop production, fishing, and coconuts cultivation are some of the challenges on the island. The exemplary derived polynomial curve of nine different islands and their islands' population displacement behavior shows up results of hostile conditions with six islands having lost their inhabitants, and only three islands’ populations have increased. This study aims to analyze the overall situation of Tuvalu and find an alternative solution to safeguard Tuvaluan people, the island ecosystems and heritage, and cultural landscapes. Specific objectives of this study are the following: (1.) Understanding the theoretical concept of climate change impacts, sea-level rise impacts, the protection of Tuvaluan people, and the islands' unique biodiversity; (2.) Analyzing the socio-economic condition, livelihoods, culture, heritage, and environmental scenarios of Tuvalu; (3.) Giving potential recommendations for creating an international network, applied research, and training for the future development of ecosystems and cultural landscapes of Tuvalu in the Pacific Ocean. This paper analyzed the present affected situation of Tuvalu; it also highlighted socio-economic and livelihoods sustainability, future scenarios, and alternative suggestion to mitigate this hostile environment of Tuvalu. GIS applications for visualizing and analyzing environmental data were one of the appropriate tools for decision-makers to support long-term planning for Tuvalu.

Keywords: Tuvalu; Climate change impacts; Livelihood; Heritage; Ecosystems; Adaptation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1007/s10668-022-02367-7

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