"We look forward to the day when our nation offers an example to all, powered entirely by natural resources such as the sun and the wind," said Kausea Natano, Minister for Public Utilities and Industries.
Tuvalu comprises a string of coral atolls standing only 4.5 metres above sea level at their highest point. Like many other low-lying atolls around the world, it is under threat from rising sea levels due to climate change. During the last century, sea levels rose by 17 centimetres and Tuvalu is already suffering the consequences, with high tides and stronger cyclones bringing salt water onto crops.
Consequently, although Tuvalu's annual carbon dioxide emissions are just 0.4 tonne per inhabitant against more than 20 per US inhabitant, it wants to be seen to be doing its bit in tackling climate change before the UN summit in December. Natano said in a statement that Tuvalu's own efforts to curb the islanders' tiny greenhouse gas emissions "will strengthen our voice" in the negotiations.
A $410,000 solar system on the roof of the main soccer stadium in the capital, Funafuti, has been generating 5% of electricity for the town since it was installed in late 2008 by Japan's Kansai Electric Power Co. backed by Tokyo Electric Power Co. Both these companies are members of the e8, an international non-profit organisation of 10 utilities from the Group of Eight (G8) industrialised countries and plans are to expand the e8 project from 40 to 60 kilowatts and extend solar power to outer islands, starting this year with an $800,000 solar power system for a school in Vaitupu, funded by the Italian government.
"The plight of Tuvalu versus the rising tides vividly represents the worst early consequence of climate change," said Takao Shiraishi, general manager of Kansai Electric Power Co. According to the UN panel of climate change, sea levels could rise by a further 18-59 centimetres by 2100.
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