Tuvalu, an islands country, is located in South Pacific. The small, island nation was first inhabited by Polynesians. The islands were colonized by migrants from the South Pacific between the 14th to 17th century. Tuvaluans were a scattered people, and their population was about 3,000 at the time of European contact. Most inhabitants were descendants immigrants.
Europeans explored the area in the 18th Century. Clvaro de Neyra a Spanish navigator made the first European tour to Tuvalu. After the discovery, Europeans began to forcibly recruit plantation workers for the islands. Many of the residents were forced to work in plantations and kidnapped. Others emigrated to larger Gilbert Islands.
Tuvalu was British colony until 1978, when it declared independence. Today, the majority of its population is ethnic Tuvaluans. It also has a significant number of residents from other Pacific ethnicities. Tuvaluans are often married to people of other Pacific ethnicities.
The Tuvalu government's main economic priority is developing the economy without foreign assistance. As a result, the government employs almost 20 percent of the workforce. Although Tuvalu has a relatively small economy, the country has never experienced strikes or an economic crisis.
Tuvalu is an ACP Group member, as well as the UPU and UN. It is also a UNESCO member, IMO FAO, UNIDO (United Nations Economic and Social Council), and the Asian Development Bank. The government participates in global efforts to fight pollution and global warming. The Tuvalu government has been urging industrialized countries to ratify the Kyoto Protocol.
Tuvalu's economy is based primarily on fishing, agriculture, subsistence farming. Copra is Tuvalu's only major cash crop. Arable land is hard to come by because of the poor soil. However, farmers are able to sell some of their produce, and some manufacture is available for export. About 25% of the GDP is generated by agricultural products.
Since 1986, Tuvalu's government has made a series of reforms. The population has risen. The United Nations estimates that Tuvalu's population reached 10,000 in 2005. This number is projected to rise to around 14,000 in 2025. About 6,000 Tuvaluans live to 65 years old or older.
Tuvalu's government doesn't have any formal political parties. Instead, 12 members make up the local parliament, which is generally organized into factions. However, the Tuvaluan constitution allows for the separation between church and state, which is not possible in most Polynesian polities. Religions must also register with the government.
Tuvalu Amateur Athletic Association, Boy Scouts, Girl Guides and Girl Scouts are three of the most important organizations in Tuvalu. The Tuvalu Youth Fellowship and Pathfinders are two other organized youth groups. Students who have completed secondary school can apply to tertiary schools abroad.
While the Tuvaluan government does not censor or silence the media, there are restrictions on speech. While the law protects the press, the government doesn't have a television network or a commercial newspaper. Tuvalu Broadcasting Service provides local news transmission in Tuvaluan. Access to the Internet is also possible through the Office of the Premier Minister and the Department of Telecommunications.
FAQ
What are the causes of climate change?
Climate change is a global phenomenon that has been driven by an increase in human-generated greenhouse gases emitted into our atmosphere, primarily due to fossil fuel burning for electricity and transportation. These emissions cause more of the sun's warmth to be trapped in Earth's atmosphere, leading to rising global temperatures.
Other contributing factors to climate change are population growth, land clearance and destruction of ecosystems as well as deforestation, energy use, over-grazing and energy consumption. This further decreases the number natural carbon sinks that absorb CO2 in the atmosphere. Changes in solar radiation and other natural forces can also contribute to climate changes.
The combined human activities have led to an increase in Earth's energy budget that has resulted in a global average temperature rise of 1 degree Celsius since preindustrial times. As the oceans absorb most heat energy, glaciers melt more quickly than they form. Other adverse consequences include water shortages and droughts as well as extreme weather events, such as flooding and hurricanes, which are often caused by heavy rains on soils.
We must reduce our carbon footprint, and begin reducing our emissions immediately to protect ourselves from the increasing impacts of climate change. It is essential to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels in order to produce electricity. This can be done alongside investing in renewable energy sources such as wind turbines and solar panels, which emit no harmful pollutants into the atmosphere. Also, reforestation is a sustainable practice that can restore balance to the delicate planetary cycles which are essential for our survival.
What role can the energy sector play in climate changes?
The importance of the energy industry in climate change mitigation is enormous. Global warming is caused by the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This traps heat and causes an increase in Earth's average temperature.
To address this issue, energy sources must transition away from carbon-emitting fuels like coal and natural gaz and instead turn to renewable energy sources like solar, geothermal, wind, and other renewable sources. This shift can be made possible by both government policy and incentives as well investments in innovative technology like hydrogen-fuel cells. Businesses and households can reduce their carbon emissions by investing in infrastructure to support the use of renewable energy sources.
Other methods include transitioning away from polluting transportation options like petroleum-fueled cars and moving towards electric vehicles or public transport. Governments can help lead society's transition from oil-based infrastructures to cleaner alternatives by funding research into battery technologies and encouraging consumers to make investments in cleaner modes.
Companies must also adopt green business practices to reduce their carbon footprint. This includes installing better insulation in offices and implementing energy efficiency plans at production plants. This can dramatically reduce operational costs, while improving environmental performance metrics.
These initiatives should be championed at all levels, not just at company level but also at government. Raising taxes on pollution products encourages individuals and businesses to stop using harmful practices. While this may be a financial outlay for polluters, providing vouchers for or subsidy for low-carbon products can create a continuing market to support sustainability efforts. The private and public sector must work together to combat climate change. Providing vouchers or subsidies for low-carbon products and switching to cleaner energy sources will create a market that supports sustainability efforts.
How will climate change impact the world's oceans?
What is the effect of climate change upon the world's oceans?
Since its inception, climate change has had a significant impact on the oceans and marine life of the world. The depletion of the ozone layer, which causes constant oceanic warming, has caused major disruptions to marine ecosystems. This has led to coral bleaching and a decline in species.
Climate change is also responsible for unpredictable weather patterns and stronger storms, which can lead to dangerously high sea levels. Temperature changes can also cause water levels to drop, causing "dead zones", areas where there is less marine life.
Ocean acidification can also be caused by climate change. Excess carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere and accumulates in the oceans. Ocean acidification raises the pH balance which disrupts essential functions of animals unable to adapt such as oysters, clams, and crabs as their shells become weakened.
Higher temperatures can also alter natural habitats by changing their geographic locations or shrinking them together, thus becoming uninhabitable for certain species that depend on them. Ocean stress increases already high extinction rates worldwide, creating a severe imbalance of predators and prey which might lead eventually to complete extinction.
All ecosystems are affected by climate change. This can be directly or indirectly via evaporation, water volume reductions or sharp temperature shifts. These changes could have a devastating effect on sustainable development of marine activities and fisheries. Global climate change continues to wipe out entire species of life on Earth, transforming our future lives not only on the land but also deep below the oceans' surface.
Statistics
- Fossil fuel production must decline by roughly 6 percent per year between 2020 and 2030. (un.org)
- 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)
- Indigenous peoples and local communities receive less than 1% of all climate funding despite scoring wins for people and nature Africa's broken food markets must be fixed to tackle hunger (climatechangenews.com)
- The 100 least-emitting countries generate 3 per cent of total emissions. (un.org)
- 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 educate Your Community about Climate Change, and Mobilize Action
Climate change education can be in many forms, from online resources and interactive educational tool to classroom activities, simulations, experiential learning programs, and classroom activities. The key elements of effective climate change education are:
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People are equipped with practical knowledge
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Demonstrating that people can make a real difference.
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Participants are invited to engage in an open conversation about possible solutions
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Sharing experiences can inspire action
Teachers will be able help their communities reduce their environmental footprint by providing comprehensive lessons on climate change for students and adults.
It is also possible to connect scientific research with real-world examples, which can be a unique way of engaging audiences in meaningful dialogue. Participants also have the opportunity to observe positive outcomes and learn from them, which can lead to further innovation or replication within their organizations.
Participants are empowered by incorporating action-oriented activities in educational curriculums. This gives them the mental tools needed to create campaigns, petitions, and take local actions. It also allows them to be agents for social and political change or sustainability improvement initiatives. A focus on individual agency emphasizes the importance and benefits of participation in reducing carbon emissions. However, it also highlights participants' collective contribution to a larger end result. Participating early in policy-making helps to encourage active participation. This allows for more equitable outcomes. We might be able, together, to increase public awareness of the effects of climate change and take appropriate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.