Lesson Four:

The Case of Tuvalu

Tuvalu

Geography = 10 Square Miles (9 islands; 80% the size of Manhattan)

Population = 11,783 (one of the most densely populated countries in the world)

Average elevation = 1.83 meters

Simone Kofe

Tuvalu Minister of Justice, Communication and Foreign Affairs

How does sea level rise threaten the existence of the nation of Tuvalu?

Sea level rise projections by 2100 for two scenarios with the amount of rise in meters indicated (mild = 2m; extreme = 4m). Population displacement indicated bottom right.

Tuvalu - Islands on the frontline of Climate Change

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Video: https://vimeo.com/4997847

Tuvalu Projected Sea Level Rise Under Different Scenarios

(click on image)

Tuvalu Coastal Adaptation Project (TCAP)

TCAP Team

https://tcap.tv/bios

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Coastal Engineering

Coastal engineering is a type of civil engineering responsible for the preservation of shorelines.

This involves:

• management of shoreline erosion
• improvement of navigation channels and harbors
• protection against flooding brought on by storms, tides and tsunamis
• improvement of coastal recreation
• management of pollution in nearby marine environments

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Coastal engineering typically includes the development of structures, in addition to the transportation and probable stabilization of beach sand along with other coastal sediments.

The Work of Coastal Engineers

The Work of the TPAC Coastal Engineers

Engineering Design Notebook

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Topic: The Case of Tuvalu

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Answer the reflection questions below:

• What issue is Tuvalu facing? What is causing the issue?
• Why is the issue so much more urgent for Tuvalu than other countries?
• What is a coastal engineer? What do they do?
• How might a coastal engineer help the people of Tuvalu?
• What is something you could do to help Tuvalu?

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