Ecosystem Impacts in Tuvalu and the Maldives - 2020s

Ecosystem Impacts in Tuvalu and the Maldives - 2020s

As we enter the 2020s, the effects of global warming are becoming increasingly severe. In particular, in Tuvalu in the South Pacific and the Maldives in the Indian Ocean, sea level is rising at an average rate of more than 4.0 mm per year, which is exacerbating coastal erosion and salt water intrusion. In Tuvalu, the UN IPCC report indicates that some islands may become uninhabitable by 2030. Residents are facing serious changes in their living conditions due to progressive salinization of agricultural lands and contamination of drinking water.

In the Maldives, the economy, which depends on the tourism industry, has also been hit hard by this sea level rise. Emissions of greenhouse gases such as CO2 are not decreasing in the 2020s, and the United States and China remain the major emitters, accounting for more than 40% of the world's emissions. In particular, coal-fired power plants in the U.S. and the industrial sector in China account for the majority of emissions, and there is an urgent need to reduce these emissions.

In terms of corporate activity, energy giants such as BP and Shell are shifting substantially to renewable energy projects, but they remain highly dependent on fossil fuels and have yet to effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In contrast, electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers such as Tesla and wind power companies such as Vestas are experiencing significant growth in the 2020s, transforming the industry toward decarbonization.

The Tuvalu government is once again taking the US and Australia to the International Court of Justice, particularly because of Australia's continued coal exports. In addition, the EU has set a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030, and is strengthening the emissions trading market and promoting the use of renewable energy. However, it is unclear whether these efforts will be sufficient in time for the Tuvalu and Maldives ecosystems.

As it stands in the 2020s, the pace of sea level rise due to global warming is accelerating, putting the ecosystems of these countries in an even more critical situation. In the future, more efforts will be required to reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout the world.