Global warming threatens survival of ROC's Pacific allies: envoys

While Tuvalu also faces the threat of rising sea levels as a result of global warming, its government has not been as active as Kiribati's in seeking "national relocation."

"The Tuvalu government is reluctant to talk about 'national relocation' because it fears its people will panic, " Ambassador Tien said in a recent interview with CNA.

To date, Tien said, Tuvalu has not sought help from Australia or New Zealand on immigration matters, nor has it signed any accord with any country on related issues.

Still, he noted, many young Tuvalu people have emigrated to pursue careers and build new lives abroad in countries such as New Zealand where they seek jobs in its largest city of Auckland.

To help with Tuvalu's efforts to slow coastal erosion resulting from rising sea levels, the ROC embassy in collaboration with a Japanese non-profit organization Tuvalu Overview is working on a mangrove rehabilitation project along the country's coastlines.

"I'm very moved and gratified to see hundreds of Rhizophora stylosa seedlings and other mangrove plants grow and thrive in the wetlands," Tien said emotionally.

He also expressed the hope that the international community will show more concern and offer more assistance to help avert the possibly disastrous impact of climate change on South Pacific island nations.

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