3. Small Island States at Risk of Disappearing Because of Sea Level Rise

      When lands are completely submerged due to sea level rise or the area is no longer liveable because of a lack of basic infrastructure or the inability to grow crops or obtain fresh water, people are compelled to move to safer places. In these cases, permanent relocation requires people to move to the mainland within either their own country or others, since the alternative is not possible as the affected area no longer exists. [FN206] In this situation, people have no choice but to leave their homes. In some extreme cases, the remaining territory of affected states can no longer accommodate the whole population and some states, such as Tuvalu and the Maldives, are at risk of complete submersion under water. [FN207] Tuvalu, a nation of 11,000 people is the first nation at risk to be completely submerged under water by this century. [FN208] “Even if the country does not sink, it could become increasingly inhospitable” due to the impacts of global warming and sea level rise. [FN209] The plants and crops may be destroyed due to salt water intrusion and extreme weather events. [FN210] “The coral reefs could be devastated by rising sea temperatures and ocean acidification.” [FN211] All of these factors have a severe impact on the food security of the islanders.

      The most important feature of this type of movement is that the migrants cannot return to their original home and are permanently displaced to other countries. [FN212] Although no substantial displacement occurred until recently due to permanent loss of territory as a result of sea level rise, “it is likely to be a significant driver of forced displacement in the future. Approximately 146 million people live in areas with an elevation of less *739 than one met[er] above sea level.” [FN213] When the whole state is at risk of complete submersion, such as in the Maldives and Tuvalu, relocation to other states is essential. [FN214] The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (“OCHA”) and International Displacement Monitoring Centre (“IDMC”) study identified “forced displacement of 2,000 inhabitants of the Tulun (Carteret) and 400 of the Takuu (Mortlock) islands in Papua New Guinea” as the permanent displacements that had occurred as of 2008. [FN215] However, according to current IPCC findings, this trend is likely to substantially accelerate in the future. [FN216]

4. Government-Initiated Planned Evacuation in Response to Disasters

      In case of natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, hurricanes, storm surges, or tsunamis, the most common and fastest response is evacuation. [FN217] “This will occur, for example, because of an increased risk of mudslides in mountain regions, andalong [sic] rivers and on coastal plains prone to flooding.” [FN218] Usually, governments designate the affected areas which are dangerous for human habitation as high-risk zones. [FN219] Then, governments initiate planned evacuation from such areas that usually only involve a displacement a short distance away from the high-risk zone. [FN220] However, sometimes this sort of evacuation process may lead to permanent internal displacement until other durable solutions are found for those affected. [FN221]