COP28: Tuvalu negotiator travelled 8,000 miles to save her home. Can she?

Mervina Paueli, a 25-year-old negotiator from Tuvalu, has embarked on an 8,000-mile journey to Dubai to attend the UN climate talks. Tuvalu, a group of low-lying Pacific islands, is under threat due to rising sea levels. The oceans play a crucial role in mitigating global warming by absorbing heat. If the summit agrees to reduce fossil fuel use, it could significantly benefit the oceans.

This is Mervina's inaugural COP summit. She endured a 24-hour flight from Fiji to Hong Kong before finally landing in the United Arab Emirates. As a negotiator for Tuvalu, she represents a community facing the potential obliteration of their home and history. The prospect of Tuvalu disappearing is a source of profound sadness for her.

Sea levels have risen by 0. 15 metres over the past 30 years, with an average increase rate of 5mm per year. This increase is expected to accelerate, and by 2050, the sea level could be 20cm higher than it is today. The culture, history, and livelihood of the islanders are intrinsically linked to the seas. They rely on healthy oceans with abundant fish stocks and, crucially, minimal or no rise in sea levels. The oceans have provided a 'great service' to Earth and its inhabitants, says Ko Barrett, senior climate advisor at the US's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). However, the oceans are showing signs of immense stress from climate change, pollution, and loss of habitats. In Tuvalu, tuna are migrating to cooler waters, forcing fishermen to venture further from the shores. Despite this, oceans are often overlooked in climate talks, according to the UN Special Envoy on Oceans. The first mention of oceans in a UN climate talks deal was only two years ago. On Saturday, ministers from major ocean nations will convene to discuss future steps and potential climate solutions, including renewable power from tidal energy. Over 100 organisations have endorsed the Dubai Oceans Declaration, calling for investment in ocean science to better understand issues like rising sea levels and coral reef death. However, it may be too late for Pacific Islanders. Sea level rise, caused by melting glaciers, is already a reality, and it is uncertain whether sea surface temperatures will stabilise at cooler levels. Australia has offered climate refugee visas to Pacific Islanders, but Mervina has declined the offer. She cherishes Tuvalu and fears losing her culture and community. She intends to stay and advocate for her community, urging COP28 to save her island home.