Tuvalu, an islands country, is located in South Pacific. This small nation of islands was once home to Polynesians. The islands were home to migrants from the South Pacific during the 14th and 17th centuries. The population of Tuvaluans was approximately 3,000 before European contact. Most Tuvaluans were descendants of migrants.
In the 18th century, Europeans began to explore the area. Clvaro de Neyra, a Spanish navigator from Spain, was the first European to visit Tuvalu. Europeans started to forcefully recruit workers for plantations after the discovery. Many of those living there were abducted and forced into plantations. Some others fled to Gilbert Islands.
Tuvalu was British colony until 1978, when it declared independence. Today, Tuvaluans constitute the majority population. The city also has significant numbers of residents of other Pacific countries. Tuvaluans often marry people who are from other Pacific ethnic groups.
Tuvalu's principal economic priority, according to the government, is to develop its economy without any foreign assistance. The government employs nearly 20 percent of the population. Tuvalu has a small economy but has not been hit by strikes or other economic problems.
Tuvalu is an ACP Group member, as well as the UPU and UN. 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 is urging industrialized nations to ratify Kyoto Protocol.
Tuvalu's economy depends on fishing, farming, and subsistence agriculture. Copra is the only major cash crop. A lack of arable land means that there is little arable land. However, some farmers are able sell some of the produce they grow, and some can be exported. About 25% of the GDP is generated by agricultural products.
The population has increased since 1986 when the Tuvalu government implemented a number of reforms. According to the United Nations, the population of Tuvalu reached 10,000 in 2005. This number will rise to approximately 14,000 by 2020. About 6,000 Tuvaluans live to 65 years old or older.
Tuvalu's government doesn't have any formal political parties. The local parliament is made up of 12 members who are generally divided into factions. The Tuvaluan constitution permits separation of state and church, as opposed to most Polynesian political systems. Additionally, religious organizations must register with the government.
Tuvalu Amateur Soccer Association, Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, and Boy Scouts are just a few of the prominent organizations. The Tuvalu Youth Fellowship and Pathfinders also have youth groups. Students who have completed secondary school can apply to tertiary schools abroad.
The Tuvaluan government doesn't censor or silence media but there are restrictions on speech. Although the law protects press freedom, the government does have no television or commercial newspaper. Tuvalu Broadcasting Service transmits local news to Tuvaluan. The Office of the Prime Minister, and the Department of Telecommunications provide internet access.
FAQ
How are developing countries and communities affected by climate change?
Because of their limited access and lack of technology and healthcare, the impact climate change has on developing countries and communities is particularly severe. Temperature, precipitation and sea level changes increase pressure on already finite resources. Already fragile ecosystems are being destroyed by floods or droughts. Rising temperatures can cause a drop in crop yields which will adversely impact the poorer communities that are struggling to feed their families. Extreme weather events like hurricanes or heatwaves can also cause destruction to infrastructure, causing further economic inequality.
Climate change will have long-term effects on resources, poverty, and health. This includes an increase in the number of vector-borne disease such as dengue fever or malaria. Additionally, flooding will become more common due to rising sea levels and extreme weather. These risks can put lives at high risk in coastal areas with a dearth of infrastructure or emergency services. To build resilience against these risks, mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions is necessary. Other measures include improved management and better access to water resources.
What impact does climate change have on food security and agriculture?
Global warming and climate change are having a direct effect on food security and agriculture. The changing climate can impact rainfall patterns and temperatures as well as soil moisture levels. Extreme weather is also possible. This can disrupt farming activities, reduce crop yields and lead to losses of agricultural biodiversity. Warmer temperatures can increase the spread of diseases or pests that can impact crops and can also lead to shifts in the areas suitable for agriculture production. This can lead to higher food costs and worsening nutrition.
Rising sea levels pose an additional threat, as they could inundate important agricultural land in many coastal regions, leading to increased salinity levels in wetlands where important crops are grown. The changing climate can also affect livestock production. High temperatures in summer months can decrease fertility rates in animals such as cattle, sheep, or goats. This can lead to lower milk yields that can increase food insecurity in communities.
The relationship between climate change and global warming is a complex one; however, efforts are being made to mitigate these results through adaptation strategies implemented by governments worldwide such as strategic investments in climate-smart agriculture (CSA). This includes promoting sustainable methods like crop rotation techniques and genetic diversity through conservation of native seed varieties. These help to protect against adverse impacts from extreme weather conditions and other environmental stressors due to the changing climate. In addition, CSA strategies call for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions through the use of renewable energy sources and the reduction of deforestation-related logging activities.
Global farmers must adapt to climate change in order to ensure food security. There must be improvements made to existing infrastructure in order to take the appropriate actions when critical crop thresholds fall. This includes installing stable irrigation networks that provide adequate access water at times when it is difficult for farmers to grow crops. To truly create lasting solutions that ensure continued adherence to international dietary guidelines regarding quality nutrition within our increasingly variable climates all over the globe - cohesive collaboration between stakeholders ranging from various government administrations at an international level right down to NGOs at local community sites is required.
What is the potential impact of land-use change and deforestation upon climate change?
The climate is directly affected when land use and deforestation are both occurring. The trees that have been cut down or burned can no longer absorb carbon dioxide, one of Earth's most important greenhouse gases. Carbon dioxide is therefore less removed from the atmosphere when trees are deforested or burned for agricultural purposes.
Changes in land usage can also cause more greenhouse gasses to be released into the atmosphere. The use of fertilizer and pesticides can also increase the emissions of methane and nitrogen oxide when forests are replaced by agricultural lands. Additionally, clearing soils rich in carbon can increase the exposure; soils that are disturbed by farming activities or turned over can release more carbon dioxide into our atmosphere.
Deforestation and land-use changes can have a significant impact on regional air quality. As an example, deforestation smoke has been shown to reduce visibility and cause respiratory illnesses such asthma and other conditions. Because of the reduced amount of aerosol particles in our atmosphere, which scatter sunlight off the Earth's surface, these changes can have a cumulative impact on global climate.
Conclusion: Deforestation, land-use changes and other factors have significantly contributed to global warming. If serious efforts to mitigate climate change are to be made, it is important that these practices are reduced.
How does climate change politics impact global efforts?
Climate change is a highly politicized issue that has created a great deal of division among nations, governments, and individuals. Politicians of many actors influence the implementation of actions to address climate change. It has become increasingly difficult to come to an agreement on how to address this urgent environmental crisis globally.
Scientific consensus is unanimous that human-caused climate change is real and needs to be addressed. Politics surrounding these issues can often hinder global cooperation, which is required to make effective progress in implementing sustainability energy practices and upholding regulations protecting natural environments, researching viable technological options, and other climate-change interventions.
Many governments in the world want to protect their economic interests, and enforce measures that limit business activities. This often conflicts with the regulations that experts recommend to address climate change efficiently. Without strong commitments from all participating countries and wide-scale international action, it becomes very difficult for any single state or group of states to adequately address climate change through legislation or otherwise.
Differences in power dynamics among countries further complicate gaining full consensus on how best to tackle climate change. Countries with more economic power may appoint themselves to be represented on international bodies for negotiations about the environment. This can lead the to divisive discussions between the countries' interests and the collective interest. The potential side effects of radical change like geoengineering, have been extensively discussed at both the national level and internationally.
At a grassroots level too, grassroots movements have struggled against powerful opponents including corporate ownerships and well-funded lobbies trying to maintain politically favorable positions for their industries especially when it comes to funding research into alternative forms of energy production or enforcing renewable energy technology mandates such as low emissions targets for vehicles etcetera - meaning individual governments must remain clearheaded about potential rewards and outcomes if they are going actively try to make valid progress on the matter in the question itself instead seeking public favor through short-term gains or even spectacles.
If we are to achieve a coordinated effort to address our current environmental crisis, it is crucial to properly distribute resources and be aware of political divisions among nations.
Statistics
- The 100 least-emitting countries generate 3 per cent of total emissions. (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)
- 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 10 countries with the largest emissions contribute 68 percent. (un.org)
- 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)
External Links
How To
How to make your house more energy efficient and combat climate change
It is possible to make your home more energy efficient, reduce your carbon footprint and save money on your utility bills.
First, ensure your home has proper insulation and sealing. Check that windows and doors are properly fitted. Add weather stripping to any drafts and seal any gaps between the window frames and door frames.
Insulate your ceilings, floors, and walls to increase energy efficiency. Check for air leaks in the attic or other areas of your home that are not well-insulated.
Lighting can account up to 18% for household electricity consumption. Switch to LED light bulbs to save up to 80 percent over traditional incandescent bulbs. Additional money can be saved by installing motion sensors, timers, and turning off lights only when needed.
The cost of replacing an old furnace or boiler can be reduced dramatically by using newer models that are more efficient. A programmable thermostat can be used to set temperature settings based on the time people are at home and away.
Switch out all old windows with new double-glazed ones which provide better insulation and don't allow heat to escape through them. Low-flow showerheads are a great option, as they reduce water consumption but maintain adequate pressure.
ENERGY STAR rated devices use 50 % less energy than non-certified appliances. You can save a lot of energy by not plugging in electronic devices such as TV boxes or phone chargers when they are not being used.
These simple steps can reduce your impact on the climate and help you live more efficiently at home.