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.
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.
ReplyDeleteOne 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.
ReplyDeleteWith 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.
ReplyDeleteI 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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