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Tuvalu and Climate Change, a Risk to National Security

Shannon Hargitt
Professor Shirk
Global Security Studies
12 November 2017

Tuvalu and Climate Change, a Risk to National Security

         Tuvalu is a prime example of the permanent effects of climate change. In extreme situations like that of Tuvalu, climate change is too far gone to reverse so other methods of action are necessary. In the case of Tuvalu, these people are quickly losing their homes, their jobs, and land. Climate change is rapidly affecting their human, ontological, and national security. For those involved and those coming to Tuvalu’s aid, the priorities of help are not always as black and white as they should be. To protect and secure Tuvaluans, help should be provided to aid is a safe and effective transfer of people to a more stable country. Instead, aid is being offered through the creation and funding of buildings and structures to hopefully last another twenty to fifty years. This aid would be better off used to protect the human security of those who will be forced to relocate. Tuvalu is an example of exactly why climate change should be deemed a threat to national security along with human and ontological security in Tuvalu and eventually across the globe.
Climate change is quite the topic of conversation lately, with some still arguing that science is in fact myth, creating positive change is easier said than done. Declaring climate change a national threat to security would not only solidify it as a reality but it would also move to effect positive change and hopefully reverse or slow some of its effects. Global warming is a threat to the national security of any nation. The long-term effects of global warming vary geographically, but ultimately can lead to disastrous changes in environments and resources. While global warming is not as much of a present threat to a country such as the United States as it is to the Island of Tuvalu, the long-term effects of global warming can absolutely affect every nation on this planet. Unlike most threats to national security, climate change has no real correlation to military involvement. Therefore, climate change can be frustrating to combat with no real target or enemy and often difficult to change and reverse. Yet, if climate change is threatening the existence of a nation itself then it must be declared a threat to national security because without a nation there would be nothing to protect. While on paper this ideology seems straight forward, it is not always perceived as such and can often be overlooked due to the economic ontological aspects of security that are deemed more applicable.
For those of Tuvalu, climate change is not only affecting their location and land but it is also threatening their lives, their ways of living, and their culture. If their island were to disappear tomorrow, they would lose the place at which they grew and learned and connected to. Their culture, that is dependent on their situation and their location would be threatened because they would be forced to relocate and to adapt and change to the new culture of wherever they then are.  Some Tuvaluans have already relocated and have been forced to adapt to new people, places, and cultures just to maintain a safe and stable future. After losing land and ideals climate change has affected more than just the land upon which they used to live but also their way of living which can have long-lasting effects to their individual selves.

            The threats that the Tuvaluans face are not solely felt by the people living on the island, but also those around the island who must bear the weight of absorbing Tuvaluan refugees along with those funding it. Instead of spending money to try and maintain the Tuvaluan island for twenty to fifty years more, money should be re-allocated to focus on the safe and healthy transition of Tuvaluans into this new culture. The economic burden felt because of climate change is felt on all of those involved. For further protection of the culture and people, those who are affected should be supported. Tuvalu is a prime example of what could happen if climate change continues at such a dramatic pace. Using Tuvalu as an example, we should move to make climate change a real focus of our national and global security efforts and to help educate those around the world and create sanctions to help slow the effects of climate change globally. Without a nation, there is no need for security, and with climate change continuing many more nations will be at jeopardy to lose their national security as well as Tuvalu.

Comments

  1. UnknownNovember 13, 2017 at 9:50 AM

    As somebody living in New England, the harsh reality of climate change is not something that I really see or physically experience on a daily basis. That being said, as the years have passed I have been seeing different parts of the world greatly effected by the changing climate. Reading about Tuvalu for class and in your blog, it serves as a stark reminder that people are already suffering hardships from the rising temperatures and rising sea levels. How the world is supposed to handle a situation like Tuvalu, is most definitely not an easy problem with an easy solution, but as temperatures continue to rise problems like these will only multiply. How global powers handle the situation in Tuvalu may very well set the pattern for locations with similar circumstances, so leaders must act wisely.

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  2. UnknownNovember 14, 2017 at 4:17 PM

    One of the big problems that the readings all mentioned was the fact that the west has portrayed the events happening in Tuvalu much more drastically than the people of Tuvalu believe the threat to be. I wonder, if using Tuvalu as an example to spur the idea that climate change should be addressed as a national security threat would actually do more harm than hurt. The western answer to the threat that many Tuvaluan people are facing is forced migration, and ensuring that the Tuvaluan people are safe by declaring them climate refugee. However, the term climate refugee could actually hinder and harm the people of Tuvalu as it portrays them as a displaced nation without rights. Claiming that climate change is a national security threat and using Tuvalu as an example may expedite the forced migration of the Tuvaluan people and limit their ability to have control over their own lives, property, rights, and nation.

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  3. UnknownNovember 19, 2017 at 7:52 PM

    With respect to the Global warming effects on island countries this should be looked at to what is to come if the data that has been portrayed is to be true. I agree with your choice to use the funds that are allocated for the possible delay of the effects on Tuvalu since if the country is beyond repair we should focus on the after effects rather than delaying it. The point made in class that was discussed about the 'naming' of those leaving Tuvalu as climate refugees, I would have to say I am on the side that says it would only hinder their ability to move past this if they are constantly identified as a refugee. As for the national security threat point I would have to say it is hard to make the point across to some people if the threat does not relate to military which many people associate with national problems rather than a force that cannot be seen.

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  4. AnonymousNovember 19, 2017 at 10:01 PM

    I agree with your points that not only with the Tuvaluan case, but more generally with climate change in general, ontological and national security are threatened in regard to the livelihood of a nation and maintaining the culture of the location. Foreign aid is essential in building infrastructure like homes and shelter for the people who are effected in the location where they are displaced. for example, with Tuvalu, if civilians are displaced to Australia, assistance and foreign aid should help build necessary infrastructures in order to accommodate for these people. With the current pattern of the global warming trend, temperatures are getting hotter annually and by 2050, especially, more severe effects will be visible to all people globally. Unless change ensues, rebuilding and recreating homes and roads will essentially be "spinning its wheels" by foreign relief funds sort to speak. It is interesting, however, how many Tuvaluans do not want to leave their island for climate reasons. This was a key point in most readings that it seems the culture of Tuvalu is focused on the present and not the nearing dangers of the future.

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