More than a third of Tuvalu residents apply for climate visas in Australia due to sinking land.

In the small Pacific nation of Tuvalu, a concerning trend has emerged as scientists warn of the country’s imminent submersion due to rising sea levels. Official figures reveal that over one-third of Tuvalu’s population has applied for a groundbreaking climate visa to migrate to Australia.

This move reflects the urgency that many residents feel regarding climate change’s impact on their homeland. Tapugao Falefou, Tuvalu’s ambassador to the United Nations, expressed surprise at the number of people seeking this opportunity.

The community is eager to see who will be among the first to migrate under this initiative. Tuvalu is considered one of the most vulnerable nations to climate change, with a population of approximately 11,000 living across nine atolls located between Australia and Hawaii.

Since the climate visa lottery opened in early July, 1,124 individuals have registered, leading to a total of 4,052 applicants when family members are included. The applications, which close on July 18, come under a bilateral climate and security treaty that limits the number of visas issued annually to 280.

This cap is intended to prevent brain drain from Tuvalu and ensure the community remains viable. The climate visa will allow Tuvaluan residents to live, work, and study in Australia with access to health benefits and education similar to that of Australian citizens.

Falefou noted that this migration could also provide additional financial support, or remittance, to families who choose to stay behind. The situation is critical, as NASA scientists predict that, by 2050, daily tides could inundate half of Funafuti, the country’s largest atoll, where 60% of the population resides.

With a mean elevation of just over six feet, Tuvalu has already witnessed sea levels rise by six inches over the past thirty years, which is significantly higher than the global average. In response, the nation has created 17 acres of artificial land and is planning further developments to keep its land above water until 2100.