From Tuvalu to climate justice: why rich polluters must pay

My journey as a climate activist began when I realized that my home, Tuvalu, is on the front lines of the climate crisis.

I grew up watching the rising seas slowly creep into my childhood; into the places where I used to play along the beaches and even into the homes of some of our relatives. Witnessing this as a child, and then growing up hearing stories from our elders about their fears; about what would happen to our culture and identity if our islands disappeared; was deeply unsettling.

Knowing that we could lose our home, and seeing that fear backed by scientific data, was terrifying. From a very young age, I had to live with that reality. Realizing that something so precious could be taken away; not because of what we did; not because of our own actions; but because of choices made far from our shores; compelled me to speak up.

I began talking about climate change when I was just eight years old, at an open-air climate event. From there, my activism grew into larger platforms because I feel a deep responsibility to use my voice for my people; especially for our youth, who will inherit this crisis.

Every time I speak, I carry with me the stories of my family and ancestors; and I think of the generations to come. I picture the faces of my nieces, nephews, and future children; and ask myself: what kind of world do they deserve to live in?

That thought drives me. I speak because I want to protect the place I call home.

I joined the Make Rich Polluters Pay campaign because it aligns deeply with the principle of climate justice; especially for Tuvalu.

As I’ve mentioned, we contribute the least to global emissions; yet we face the harshest consequences of the climate crisis. Meanwhile, the biggest polluters; wealthy corporations and nations thousands of miles away; continue to profit while our people pay the price with our homes, our cultures, our futures, and everything that makes us Tuvaluans.

And it’s not just Tuvalu. Every Pacific island state; every big ocean state; is facing the impacts of climate change.

For me, the global Make Rich Polluters Pay campaign is about accountability and fairness. It demands that those most responsible for the climate crisis contribute their fair share to loss and damage finance; so that frontline communities can recover, adapt, and protect what matters most.

Joining this powerful campaign helps amplify my voice; and not just mine, but the voices of my people. It’s a call to the world to recognize that vulnerable nations need urgent action and concrete support; not empty promises.

The nations facing the harshest impacts of climate change have fought for loss and damage finance for so long. To me, that’s completely unfair. It should be the countries emitting the most; those contributing the most; who take proactive action. We shouldn’t have to keep reminding them. They should already be doing it. They should be contributing much more to the loss and damage fund; but there’s still no concrete action from their side.

When I speak about this, I’m angry; I’m frustrated. But thanks to campaigns like this, our voices and our struggles are being amplified and heard around the world.

Grace Malie is a climate activist for Tuvalu, standing up for its culture, heritage, and youth in the face of the devastating impacts of sea-level rise and the climate crisis. She brings the experiences and stories of her people to the forefront of international, regional and national climate discussions, advocating for sustainable solutions that prioritise the protection of island nations like Tuvalu. She advocates for sea-level rise to be recognised as a global priority, and emphasises the gaps in political commitment to addressing this urgent issue.