Pacific islands launch bold tactics to battle climate change

Pacific Islands Champion The Climate Fight

Coral reefs bleach as seas warm, leaving islands vulnerable. Despite isolation, Pacific nations lead the charge against the climate crisis.

Key Strategies Pacific Isles Are Using

• Digital Nation – Tuvalu is creating the world’s first 3D map of its islands, turning a vanished coastline into an interactive virtual world.
• Backup Territory – Kiribati bought land in Fiji for 100,000 climate‑threatened residents, turning the estate into a farm while securing a future sanctuary.
• Deep‑Sea Mining – Nauru and the Cook Islands plan to harvest polymetallic nodules rich in cobalt, nickel and manganese, a source crucial for green batteries. Fiji and Palau oppose the industry.
• Migration Pact – An 2024 Tuvalu–Australia agreement allows about 280 citizens per year to migrate under special climate visas, a first worldwide.
• Legal Landmark – Vanuatu swore the International Court of Justice to declare polluting states legally obligated to combat climate change, a non‑binding but powerful opinion guiding national courts.

Why Pacific Islands Matter

Rising seas threaten Tuvalu, Kiribati and others. Their innovative tactics—from digital mapping to legal appeals—set a global example for climate resilience.