<
https://theconversation.com/what-will-happen-to-the-legal-status-of-sinking-nations-when-their-land-is-gone-263559>
"Small island nations such as Tuvalu, Kiribati, the Maldives and Marshall
Islands are particularly vulnerable to climate change. Rising seas, stronger
storms, freshwater shortages and damaged infrastructure all threaten their
ability to support life.
Some islands even face the grim possibility of being abandoned or sinking
beneath the ocean. This raises an unprecedented legal question: can these small
island nations still be considered states if their land disappears?
The future status of these nations as “states” matters immensely. Should the
worst happen, their populations will lose their homes and sources of income.
They will also lose their way of life, identity, culture, heritage and
communities.
At the same time, the loss of statehood could strip these nations of control
over valuable natural resources and even cost them their place in international
organisations such as the UN. Understandably, they are working hard to make
sure this outcome is avoided.
Tuvalu, for example, has signed a treaty with Australia to ensure it will be
recognised as a state, regardless of the impact climate change has on the
islands.
Beyond affirming that “the statehood and sovereignty of Tuvalu will continue …
notwithstanding the impact of climate change-related sea-level rise”, Australia
has committed to accepting Tuvaluan citizens who seek to emigrate and start
their lives afresh on safer ground.
Facing the threat of physical disappearance, Tuvalu has also begun digitising
itself. This has involved moving its government services online, as well as
recreating its land and archiving its culture virtually.
The aim is for Tuvalu to continue existing as a state even when climate change
has forced its population into exile and rising seas have done away with its
land. It says it will be the world’s first digital nation.
Elsewhere, in the Maldives, engineering solutions are being tested. These
include raising island heights artificially to withstand the disappearance of
territory. Other initiatives, such as the Rising Nations Initiative, are
seeking to safeguard the sovereignty of Pacific island nations in the face of
climate threats.
But how will the future statehood of small island nations be determined
legally?"
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
