Environment

Despite their minimal contribution to global emissions, small island states face severe human rights challenges due to climate change. Rising sea levels and weather eruptions threaten human rights, which must be considered. Factors like displacement, health, and cultural preservation play an important role. Islands like Tuvalu and the Maldives need a comprehensive review in terms of sustainability and human rights. 

Background and Impacts 

Small island states, such as those in the Caribbean and Pacific, are highly vulnerable due to their low elevation and reliance on marine resources. Human life is threatened by factors like climate change, which is driven by global warming. These phenomena are responsible for the rise of sea levels and intense storms which directly impact human rights. For instance, the right to adequate housing is threatened as coastal erosion displaces communities, while human rights relating to health are affected by increased disease exposure and water scarcity. 

The following case studies of the Maldives and Tuvalu explain the major climate and societal problems: 

1. Maldives: Maldives is facing potential societal and climate problems. The increase in sea levels has caused land disruption, threatening access to housing and their cultural identity – as noted in a UN 2024 report. 

2. Tuvalu: Tuvalu is experiencing human rights violations as a result of climate change. This is threatening their cultural  traditions and language , creating major problems in the lives of the people.  

Legal and International Responses 

These islands are taking support from human right treaties and UNFCCC, which are international law. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) aims to clarify obligations for seeking accountability.  

This survey note provides an in-depth examination of the intersection between sustainability, specifically climate change and human rights, focusing on small island states. It builds on the direct answer by incorporating all relevant details from the research process, ensuring a comprehensive understanding for readers – including policymakers and activists interested in this critical issue. 

Threats, such as rising sea levels and extreme weather, have caused human rights implications, including: 

1. Right to Life and Security: Potential increment in disasters has threaten and disrupted lives of the people as noted in Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports 2024. 

2. Right to Adequate Housing: Many people have been displaced from their houses due to coastal erosion. Around 22 million Caribbean residents are at risk due to rising sea water. 

3. Right to Health: The islands are currently facing water scarcity and health risks. 

4. Right to Food and Water: Ocean acidification has affected fisheries, threatening food security, as reported by United Nations Environment Problem (UNEP). 

5. Cultural Rights: Loss of land threatens cultural identity. A 2024 UN report notes a submersion risk for the Maldives. Tuvalu’s case also highlights potential cultural extinction. These examples illustrate the major human rights implications for the islands. 

Legal Frameworks and Actions – Major international legal frameworks, such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement, analysed these islands. They are working on human rights treaties with monitored treaty bodies to address climate impacts.  

Challenges and Opportunities – Resources are limited, and islands are relying upon international finance with opportunities in renewable energy and global as per World Bank. 

Detailed Table of Impacts and Responses 

Human Right	Impact of Climate Change	Island	Legal/Policy Response Taken
Right to Adequate Housing	Displacement due to sea level rise and erosion	Maldives	Advocacy for loss and damage fund
Right to Health	Increased disease exposure and water scarcity	Tuvalu	Health adaptation plans, as per WHO
Right to Food and Water	Threat to fisheries and agriculture from ocean acidification	Caribbean SIDS	Ratification of human rights treaties, as per OHCHR
Cultural Rights	Loss of land threatens cultural identity	Tuvalu	Constitutional amendments to enshrine statehood, as per the Library of Congress

This table summarizes key impacts and responses, ensuring a structured overview., 

Human rights are facing a big issue in small island states like Tuvalu and the Maldives. The legal and policy measures play an important role in the protection of human rights. The future is in our hands, and these problems need to be addressed as soon as possible. Sustainability is necessary to save the planet and protect human rights. These rights align with the Amnesty International mission, a human rights organisation that helps to raise awareness of human rights violations.