Tuvalu Citizens Apply for Climate Visas to Migrate to Australia
According to Australian official data, nearly one-third of the citizens of the South Pacific island nation of Tuvalu have applied for climate visas to migrate to Australia due to the threat of rising sea levels. Since the application opened last week, 3,125 Tuvaluans have submitted applications. Australia and Tuvalu signed the groundbreaking 'Falepili Union Agreement' last year, which provides for 280 new visas for Tuvaluans to study, work, or live in Australia each year. Tuvalu's Prime Minister stated that this is the first time a country has legally committed to recognizing Tuvalu's future national status and sovereignty in the face of devastating impacts from sea level rise and other climate change events.