Tuvalu is on the front line of climate change.

This unique country is made up of a series of nine islands and coral atolls totalling only 26 square kilometres in land area, spread out near the equator in the western Pacific Ocean.

With an average elevation of only one meter above sea level, the United Nations has predicted that it may be the first nation to disappear, as a result of rising sea levels.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change...
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  • An aerial view of Fongafale island, the home to the Tuvaluan capital of Funafuti. Located in the South West Pacific Ocean, Tuvalu is the world's 4th smallest country and is one of the most vulnerable to climate change impacts including sea level rise, drought and extreme weather events. Tuvalu - March, 2019.
  • A young boy swims in a flooded area near the airport runway, in downtown Funafuti. Parts of the island flood at this time of the year due to the 'king tides'. The king tides are seasonal and are characterised by very high water levels in the surrounding ocean. At this time of year the waves inundate the coastline but also water seeps up through the ground which is made of porous coral. This natural phenomenon is particularly serious for Tuvalu, a low-lying atoll island nation, whose highest point is only a few metres above sea level. As sea levels rise, the king tides regularly flood parts of the island and will likely increase in severity in the future, potentially making large parts of the nation uninhabitable. Funafuti, Tuvalu. March, 2019.
  • A young boy swims in a flooded area near the airport runway, in downtown Funafuti. Parts of the island flood at this time of the year due to the 'king tides'. The king tides are seasonal and are characterised by very high water levels in the surrounding ocean. At this time of year the waves inundate the coastline but also water seeps up through the ground which is made of porous coral. This natural phenomenon is particularly serious for Tuvalu, a low-lying atoll island nation, whose highest point is only a few metres above sea level. As sea levels rise, the king tides regularly flood parts of the island and will likely increase in severity in the future, potentially making large parts of the nation uninhabitable. Funafuti, Tuvalu. March, 2019.
  • A child plays in floodwaters near a water catchment tank in the Tuvaluan capital of Funafuti. Parts of the island flood at this time of the year due to the 'king tides'. The king tides are seasonal and are characterised by very high water levels in the surrounding ocean. At this time of year the waves inundate the coastline but also water seeps up through the ground which is made of porous coral. This natural phenomenon is particularly serious for Tuvalu, a low-lying atoll island nation, whose highest point is only a few metres above sea level. As sea levels rise, the king tides regularly flood parts of the island and will likely increase in severity in the future, potentially making large parts of the nation uninhabitable. March, 2019.
  • A young boy sits forlornly outside his home which is being flooded during the king tides in Funafuti, Tuvalu. The king tides are seasonal and are characterised by very high water levels in the surrounding ocean. At this time of year the waves inundate the coastline but also water seeps up through the ground which is made of porous coral. This natural phenomenon is particularly serious for Tuvalu, a low-lying atoll island nation, whose highest point is only a few metres above sea level. As sea levels rise, the king tides regularly flood parts of the island and will likely increase in severity in the future, potentially making large parts of the nation uninhabitable. March, 2019.
  • Just offshore one of Tuvalu's beaches, a piece of machinery has stood against the waves for more than 70 years. It is a piece of machinery left by American forces during their stationing on Tuvalu during World War 2. The island nation was a key position in the Pacific theatre and was home to some 6000 American troops who launched aerial raids against Japanese forces further north. Now, the rusting remains of equipment can occasionally be found on the islands, still standing where they were left seven deacdes previous. Vakai Tui, 24, stands near one of these pieces of equipment near a beach on the main island of Fongafale Funafuti, Tuvalu. March, 2019.
  • Cameron Isala, 25, a fisherman, stands near the shoreline in central Funafuti, the capital of the small Pacific nation of Tuvalu. Land poor micro-states in the region are some of the most vulnerable to climate change impacts. This has driven many to flee their homelands, in fear of the potential environmental catastophes their countries are vulnerable to, and also in search of higher incomes through better job opportunities provided by other larger countries. It is estimated nearly 20% of Tuvalu's population have left and reside in other countries such as New Zealand and Australia. Young adults are the most likely to leave, with the older generation most likely to stay. A recent report by The Australian National University estimates by 2050, "47% of Tuvaluan adults (4,900 people)...will want to migrate but [will] be unable to do so", with limiting factors being financial and available places on migration programs to other countries. Funafuti, Tuvalu. March, 2019.
  • A boy runs next to a flooded area near the airport runway, in downtown Funafuti. Parts of the island flood at this time of the year due to the 'king tides'. The king tides are seasonal and are characterised by very high water levels in the surrounding ocean. At this time of year the waves inundate the coastline but also water seeps up through the ground which is made of porous coral. This natural phenomenon is particularly serious for Tuvalu, a low-lying atoll island nation, whose highest point is only a few metres above sea level. As sea levels rise, the king tides regularly flood parts of the island and will likely increase in severity in the future, potentially making large parts of the nation uninhabitable. Funafuti, Tuvalu. March, 2019.
  • Aloito Vaivasa, 26, a fisherman, stands near the shoreline in central Funafuti, the capital of the small Pacific nation of Tuvalu. Land poor micro-states in the region are some of the most vulnerable to climate change impacts. This has driven many to flee their homelands, in fear of the potential environmental catastophes their countries are vulnerable to, and also in search of higher incomes through better job opportunities provided by other larger countries. It is estimated nearly 20% of Tuvalu's population have left and reside in other countries such as New Zealand and Australia. Young adults are the most likely to leave, with the older generation most likely to stay. A recent report by The Australian National University estimates by 2050, "47% of Tuvaluan adults (4,900 people)...will want to migrate but [will] be unable to do so", with limiting factors being financial and available places on migration programs to other countries.
  • The bleached trucks of dead trees in the Funafuti atoll, Tuvalu. Erosion of land is an inevitable consequence of life in a coral atoll nation. As sea levels rise and increased threats from storm surges and extreme weather events occur, the land of Tuvalu will increasingly become fragile and prone to erosion. March, 2019.
  • A Tuvaluan woman looks out from a boat as it passes through the Funafuti atoll, Tuvalu. March, 2019.
  • "Unless the global community steps up our actions to significantly lower green house gas emissions...Tuvalu will dissapear completely within the next 30-50 years", said Tuvaluan Prime Minister Enele Sosene Sopoanga in his address to the United Nations General Assembly in 2017. As this young boy swung from a tree on one of Tuvalu's coral atoll islands, the danger and concern is not immediately evident but the slowly rising seas threaten this jewel in the Pacific. Funafuti, Tuvalu. March, 2019.
  • A boat speeds through the shallows of Funafuti atoll, Tuvalu. March, 2019.
  • The trucks of fallen trees (bottom) in the shallows of Funafuti atoll, Tuvalu. Erosion of land is an inevitable consequence of life in a coral atoll nation. As sea levels rise and increased threats from storm surges and extreme weather events occur, the land of Tuvalu will increasingly become fragile and prone to erosion. March, 2019.
  • The wreck of a boat left by American forces during their stationing on Tuvalu during World War 2. The island nation was a key position in the Pacific theatre and was home to some 6000 American troops who launched aerial raids against Japanese forces further north. Now, the rusting remains of equipment can occasionally be found on the islands, still standing where they were left seven decades previous. Funafuti atoll, Tuvalu. March, 2019.
  • Two women and a child sit on the Funafuti International airport runway. There are only 4 flights in and out of Tuvalu each week, allowing the locals to use to airfield for recreational purposes when there are no flights expected. Funafuti, Tuvalu. March, 2019.
  • A family sit on the Funafuti International airport runway. There are only 4 flights in and out of Tuvalu each week, allowing the locals to use to airfield for recreational purposes when there are no flights expected. Funafuti, Tuvalu. March, 2019.
  • An aerial view of an island in the Funafuti atoll, Tuvalu. March, 2019.
  • An aerial view of an island in the Funafuti atoll, Tuvalu. March, 2019.
  • A boy is seen from above as he rides a wave that is travelling in from the Pacific Ocean onto the Tuvaluan coastline. Funafuti, Tuvalu. March, 2019.
  • Fallen trees in the shallows of Funafuti atoll, Tuvalu. Erosion of land is an inevitable consequence of life in a coral atoll nation. As sea levels rise and increased threats from storm surges and extreme weather events occur, the land of Tuvalu will increasingly become fragile and prone to erosion. March, 2019.
  • Waves from the Pacific Ocean crash onto shore in Funafuti, Tuvalu. Seen from above, it's easy to see why the Southwest Pacific country of Tuvalu has been identified as one of the world's most vulnerable nations to climate change. The country is made up of a collection of small islands and coral atolls, totalling only 27 square kilometres, scattered over 500,000 square kilometres of ocean. The highest point throughout the country is only 5 metres above sea level, resulting in special vulnerability to sea level rise. According to the Tuvaluan government, "since 1993, sea level near Tuvalu has risen about 5mm per year; this is larger than the global average." Other challenges face the country including drought, ocean acidification and waste problems. Funafuti, Tuvalu. March, 2019.
  • A man lies on the ground during a football match being played on the Funafuti International airport runway. There are only 4 flights in and out of Tuvalu each week, allowing the locals to use to airfield for recreational purposes when there are no flights expected. Funafuti, Tuvalu. March, 2019.
  • Waves from the Pacific Ocean crash onto the shores of Funafuti, Tuvalu, during the king tides. March, 2019.
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