Tuvalu Under Threat From Climate Change

 

Climate change is becoming a security risk for nations of Oceania and the Pacific Ocean region. Tuvalu's concern relates to the increase in water levels. Tuvalu seeing the increase water levels of the Pacific Ocean means certain islands could go under. Flooding become a danger to people, property, and the economic conditions of the country. Realizing climate change is not slowing down, one solution involved an agreement with Australia. A climate change visa has been proposed. This allows Tuvaluans  to relocate to Australia due to environmental challenges. The climate change visa is not a permanent method to address climate induced disasters. Residence of Tuvalu might not want to move to another country. Australia cannot be expected to take all people from various Pacific Ocean states. Environmental protection needs to be a priority for governments across the world. The dependence on fossil fuel undermines efforts to address climate concerns. Rising sea levels are also going to effect Australia. Those living on the coast or close by the ocean makes it unsafe for residence. The climate change related visa is the first of its kind. Some Tuvaluans  applied for the new visa. Adjusting to a new country can be difficult. Australians might not want to see more  immigration . Tuvalu's population is smaller than Australia's. According to Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Tuvalu's population is 11,204 people. Tuvalu gained independence in 1978 and since has strived for economic development. Tuvalu has tourism potential, yet climate change remains a hinderance. Tuvalu and other members of the Pacific Islands Forum must develop new innovations to combat the effects of climate change.      

Jacinda Adern Set To Resign

 

Prime Minister Jacinda Adern has announced she will resign. New Zealand will be getting a new leader in February . What this hints to is the fall out from the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions. Lockdowns and vaccine mandates caused division in New Zealand. The lockdowns in New Zealand did negatively impact the economy. New Zealand also closed its borders. The damage done from restrictions can still be felt. Prime Minister Jacinda Adern even suggested postponing elections due to the pandemic. The criticism of her policies has nothing to do with her sex. Some supporters claim that the anger felt is based on misogynistic  sentiments. Frustration over public health policy and crisis management are legitimate concerns.  Very little was done to address the racism after the Christchurch shooting. Effort to reduce anti-Muslim sentiment was not shown in any policy. The promises regarding healthcare and affordable housing were not met. A combination of these failed policies would mean she would fact defeat in an election. The Labour Party faces a challenge from the National Party. Jacinda Adern's  leadership might not be remembered fondly by the New Zealanders. The self induced economic strain has made citizens question the governments competence. 

Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa and Samoa's New Political Era

Fiame Naomi Mata' afa  became prime minister of Samoa in may of 2021. She is the first woman to do so and this marks a significant change in the island's politics. Since 1998, Tuilaepa Sa' ilele Maleiegaoi had been prime minister. The Human Rights Protection Party held dominance for close to 40 years. Then a wave of change occurred. Prime Minister Maleiegoi refused to accept election results. That triggered a constitutional crisis. Once resolved, Mata' afa was able to take office. She is not new to politics. Her career as a politician started back in 1985 serving in parliament. Her family  has a history of being active in politics. Fiame's father Mata' afa  Faumunia Mulinu' u was Samoa's first prime minister. There may not be any radical change with a longtime establishment figure in power. Unpopular bills that were introduced that undermined the  independence of the judiciary. This caused the formation of a new political party known as Fa' atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi  Party.  Tuilaepa Sa' ilele Maleiegaoi has vowed to maintain staunch opposition to the  FAST  Party. The challenges are not only domestic. Relations with China, climate change, and the current status of the Pacific Island Forum are concerns. Samoa may need to extend diplomacy into the wider Oceania region. 

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern Promises More Gun Control

The Christcurch Mosque shooting has caused Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to propose stronger gun control. This act of  racist and Islamophobic terrorism has exposed a problem that rarely gets media attention. White nationalism and xenophobic nativist nationalism has become an international phenomenon. Hate has always been there and the historical legacy proves it. While the media presents New Zealand as a peaceful,open, and tolerant society the reality is its foundations are based on imperial conquest. The British just like in Australia displaced the native population. Maoris are strangers in a land that is theirs and immigrants face hostility from the white population. Social media and guns have been blamed fro this horrendous act of violence. Such explanations ignore the real issue. There is an reluctance to admit that the majority of European descended peoples do not want to share their countries with African, Asian, or Latin American populations. Many whites feel the sentiments uttered in the manifesto written by the shooter. Individuals may not act on violent sentiments, but the hate is there.  Prime Minister   Jacinda Arden may not be able to make meaningful change, if she does not address the violent racist history of New Zealand's past. If there is no serious discussion about racism among the majority of the white population in the Oceania region, acts like this may continue. As populations flee war and poverty, the more xenophobic nativist nationalism becomes popular among people who do not understand or fear demographic shifts. If the government does not act racist violence will become normalized.