The island nation of Tuvalu in the Pacific Ocean wants the bigger countries of the world to do something about climate change. And it's not just for the good of the planet: Tuvalu could be swallowed up by the sea in less than 50 years if the planet gets much hotter.
With an average elevation of 6 feet above sea level, Tuvalu doesn't have far to go. That's why the Deputy Prime Minister is so worried about the future of his country:
We'll try and maintain our own way of living on the island as long as we can. If the time comes we should leave the islands, there is no other choice but to leave.
That may soon be the fate of other Pacific Islanders as well. Besides Tuvalu, Kiribati, Vanuatu and the Marshall Islands are considered at risk, though true disaster is still at least decades away.
Related Stories:
· Tuvalu About to Disappear [Reuters]
· Sinking States [Guardian]
· South Pacific coverage [Jaunted]
[Photo: L0M1]]]>