The impacts of climate change on socioeconomically vulnerable island states: the issue of environmental refugees from the microstate of Tuvalu

Abstract

Climate change produces severe socio-environmental and socioeconomic externalities, including increased intra- and trans-border human displacement. Projections by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) indicate that, by 2050, approximately 216 million people may migrate internationally as a result of these impacts. In light of these considerations, this study examines the effects of climate change on vulnerable island states, with an emphasis on the microstate of Tuvalu and the issue of environmental refugees, adopting a systematic literature review and document analysis as its methodology. The study concludes that there is a risk of loss of Tuvaluan Polynesian cultural identity, a need to broaden the definition of "refugee" to encompass environmental refugees, and an urgent need to expand international cooperation to support Tuvalu.