It is a matter of money, money Tuvalu doesn’t have | Klima Tuvalu

Photo Credit: Mr Sam on Flickr

Even if our contribution is small and that the impact of us making zero emissions will be close to nothing on climate change if nobody else does something, we should do our best and lead the way. Then everybody can look at us and say: look they are helping themselves first.

We meet Tataua Pese (37), the climate change and disaster management officer for the Red Cross on Tuvalu, in his office opposite the hospital. The Red Cross on Tuvalu is working mainly on climate change and health issues, with a community participatory approach.

Their climate change activities include a core team of volunteers trained in disaster response and as first aid trainers. The Red Cross runs ongoing awareness programs and has established a drama group working on both climate change and health.
Read his answers to our questions below.

Does climate change affect people on Tuvalu?

Climate change affects people, especially when it comes to food. A lot of families are dependent on fish. However, it has become harder to find fish the past years. The men have to go further out in the lagoon to find their daily fish. Climate change is one of several reasons for the decreasing fish stocks.

Local food production is also affected by saltwater intrusion. As many are unable to grow crops on their land anymore, they get more dependent on shops.

Our land is also eroding. The sea-level rise is eating the coast and makes people want to go inland. This is creating a lot of land issues that are taken to court.

Read more at Klima Tuvalu.

Tags: Tuvalu

Category: Fresh Air