00:00Sea levels around Tuvalu have risen 15 cimeters in 30 years,
00:04twice the global average, NASA says.
00:06That rapid rise is supercharging floods that could become devastating by 2050,
00:10when another 30 cimeters is expected.
00:13On Tuesday, leaders from 30 nations watched
00:16as Tuvalu reclaimed 6 hectares of land from the ocean
00:19by dredging white sand from a lagoon.
00:22This $50 million effort is part of a wider project
00:25adding 21 hectares to Tuvalu's main island,
00:28which is only two meters above sea level.
00:31Tuvalu's foreign minister, Paulson Panapa, warned,
00:34promises will not hold back rising tides.
00:37What this moment requires is decisive delivery.
00:40The event aimed to spotlight climate threats
00:42ahead of the United Nations COP31 meeting.
00:45Yet, only 11 of 14 invited Pacific leaders attended.
00:48While Australia seeks to strengthen regional ties,
00:52despite criticism as a fossil fuel exporter,
00:55Tuvalu's prime minister, Felitti Teo, stressed,
00:57every fraction of a degree matters,
01:00showing the urgent stakes for this sinking island nation.
01:03Disclosure, this video contains stock footage
01:05and content created or enhanced using AI-assisted tools.
