Tuvalu

That's how the people of Tuvalu feel.

It's predicted the Island nation, the smallest archipelago in the Pacific, could be underwater in the next 30 to 50 years due to rising sea levels.

Tuvalese leaders spoke of their plight at a breakfast event in Mangere last week as part of a Climate Change Tour hosted by NZ NGOs including Tear Fund and Oxfam. The tour aims to create awareness around the effect climate change is having on our pacific neighbours, and continues in Christchurch and Wellington this week.

The eight are all women - Pelenise Selota Panapa, Neimaoto Asaelu, Melisula Telogo Limasene, Mauia Loini Talaapa, Christine Lifuka, Rosemary Silitone Lusama, Lisa Fakalupe and Valasi Galu.

A statement from the Tuvalu Permanent Mission in New York says Dr Panapa received a gold award while Dr Asaelu received one of the special awards.

Tuvalu’s Minister of Education, Sports and Youth, Fauao Maani and the country’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, Aunese Simati attended the first graduation of Tuvalu medical students in Cuba.

Tafue Lusama is making a public speaking tour of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch organised by New Zealand civil society groups, Tearfund, Oxfam, 350 Aotearoa and the Diocesan Climate Change Action Group.

Reverend Lusama, who is from Tuvalu, says the people in his country are still struggling to recover from cyclone Pam are now being faced by out of season stormy weather.

He says the time for debating the effects of climate change is over.

"The actions shown by government shows that the plans are not solely about recovery, but recovery that strengthens resilience of families, communities, islands, and the nation.”

The UN acknowledged the government of Tuvalu for recognising it as one of the important partners in the implementation of the vulnerability reduction plan and its commitment to strengthening disaster response and resilience for its people. The UN agencies responded to governments request and provided support in various technical roles also recognising the different partnerships involved in the process.

Enele Spoaga of Tuvalu arrived in Brussels on Monday to call on EU leaders for support ahead of the next UN climate change summit in Paris in December.

The group of islands, home to just 10,000 people, is under direct threat by rising sea levels due to climate change as it is no more than 4m above sea level at its highest level.

He called on Europe to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to keep global warming down to 1.5C, which scientists say is a safer limit than the current goal of 2C, the Brussels Times reports.

He said: “We need to save Tuvalu to save the world.