Rising Sea Levels Threaten Coral Atoll Nation Of Tuvalu

An aerial view of the southern tip of Fongafale island on November 24, 2019 in Funafuti, Tuvalu. The low-lying South Pacific island nation of Tuvalu holds about 11,000 people and has been classified as ‘extremely vulnerable’ to climate change by the United Nations Development Programme. The world’s fourth-smallest country is struggling to cope with climate change related impacts including five millimeter per year sea level rise (above the global average), tidal and wave driven flooding, storm surges, rising temperatures, saltwater intrusion and coastal erosion on its nine coral atolls and islands, the highest of which rises about 15 feet above sea level. (Footage by Mario Tama/Getty Images)