Impact on Ecosystems in Tuvalu and the Maldives - 2020s

Impact on Ecosystems in Tuvalu and the Maldives - 2020s

In the 2020s, the impact of global warming has become increasingly severe. In particular, sea level rise in Tuvalu in the South Pacific and the Maldives in the Indian Ocean has accelerated to an annual average of more than 4.0mm, worsening coastal erosion and saltwater intrusion. According to the UN IPCC report, some islands in Tuvalu may become uninhabitable by 2030. Saltwater damage to farmland and the contamination of drinking water continue to escalate, placing residents in a critical situation.

In the Maldives, the economy, which relies heavily on tourism, has been hit hard by sea level rise. Coastal erosion is advancing rapidly alongside resort development, increasing the cost of protecting coastal facilities. CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions have not shown a downward trend in the 2020s, with the United States and China still accounting for more than 40% of global emissions. The U.S.'s coal-fired power plants and China's industrial sectors contribute significantly, making the reduction of these emissions a top priority.

Corporations like BP and Shell have made significant shifts towards renewable energy projects, but remain heavily reliant on fossil fuels, limiting the effectiveness of greenhouse gas reduction efforts. On the other hand, companies such as Tesla in the electric vehicle (EV) sector and Vestas in wind energy have grown significantly, leading the way in the industrial shift towards decarbonization.

The Tuvalu government is once again moving to file a lawsuit against the U.S. and Australia in the International Court of Justice, particularly targeting Australia's continued coal exports. The EU has set a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 and is strengthening its emissions trading market and promoting the use of renewable energy. However, it remains uncertain whether these efforts will be in time to save the ecosystems of Tuvalu and the Maldives.

As of the 2020s, the pace of sea level rise due to global warming is accelerating, and the ecosystems of these countries are facing even more critical threats. Further global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are urgently needed.