Tuvalu is often reduced to a warning about rising seas, but Eliala Fihaki wants the world to see more than a threatened island nation. The Tuvaluan woman of Irish ancestry is using her family connection to Inishbofin and her experience as a Pacific islander to build support for stronger climate action at COP31.
Fihaki, who now lives in New Zealand with her Tongan-New Zealand husband and their four children, says Tuvalu’s identity, culture and language must not be overshadowed by the climate crisis. Her message is reaching audiences in Ireland and internationally as she supports a planned conference focused on moving away from fossil fuels.
Why this story matters in Ireland
This latest Ireland News story links Irish heritage, Pacific climate vulnerability and international climate diplomacy. Fihaki’s ancestor, Jack O’Brien, was born on Inishbofin before travelling to Australia and eventually continuing on to Tuvalu several generations ago.
Her visit to Inishbofin last September highlighted a connection that she believes runs deeper than geography. At a Climate Gathering event on the island, she described Ireland and Tuvalu as communities shaped by the ocean rather than divided by it.
“We are people of the ocean. It has never separated us from the world. It has connected us to it,” Fihaki said.
The encounter gave local campaigners an opportunity to hear directly about the pressures facing Tuvalu, while Fihaki found a meaningful link to the birthplace of her Irish ancestor.
Tuvalu’s climate crisis is about more than rising seas
Tuvalu is one of the world’s smallest and most climate-exposed countries. Rising sea levels, coastal erosion and damage to seawalls threaten homes, infrastructure and the long-term habitability of its islands.
Yet Fihaki rejects descriptions that portray Tuvalu only as a “sinking island” or a country waiting for outside rescue. She says such language creates a negative association and overlooks the strength and dignity of Tuvaluan people.
Her argument is important in climate reporting. Small island states are frequently presented through images of flooding and displacement, but their communities also have political agency, cultural traditions and clear demands for international action.
- Tuvalu is seeking meaningful action on fossil fuel use and emissions.
- Its people want climate finance, technical support and practical cooperation.
- Climate policy must recognise culture, identity and community resilience.
Fihaki carries the issue to COP31
At COP31 in Antalya, Turkey, Fihaki took part in another Climate Gathering event designed to build civil society support for Ireland and Tuvalu’s joint hosting of the second international Transition Away From Fossil Fuels conference next summer.
The conference emerged from frustration among countries and campaigners who believe annual COP negotiations have not delivered a sufficiently rapid phase-out of fossil fuels. Tuvalu hopes to host next year’s meeting physically, although organising an international gathering on a small island will present significant logistical challenges.
Fihaki says Irish assistance could be valuable in several areas, including finance, personnel and expertise. She also stressed that solidarity cannot be measured only in material resources.
For communities facing climate disruption, emotional and political support can be just as significant. Fihaki believes stronger relationships between Ireland, Tuvalu and other small island states could help sustain momentum when climate negotiations become difficult.
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A personal decision shaped by family
Fihaki says she would have preferred never to leave Tuvalu, where her mother and siblings still live. She moved to New Zealand because she wanted to create more secure opportunities for her children, but she returns whenever she can.
That connection remains intensely personal. She says she is willing to use her savings to travel home because the pull of family and place is impossible to ignore.
Her experience reflects a wider reality for people from climate-vulnerable islands. Migration may provide access to education, employment and safety, but leaving can also involve grief, separation and anxiety about the future of home.
What happens next?
The proposed Transition Away From Fossil Fuels conference will require close cooperation between Ireland and Tuvalu if it is to take place in Tuvalu next summer. Practical questions will include transport, accommodation, communications, staffing, funding and the needs of participants travelling from overseas.
The political significance will be equally important. A successful event could give small island states greater visibility in debates about fossil fuel reduction and climate finance. It could also show how countries with very different resources can work together on a shared international challenge.
For Irish readers, the story offers a direct connection between local heritage and global climate policy. Inishbofin is not simply part of an ancestral story; it is also a place where Irish communities have engaged with questions about environmental responsibility, solidarity and the future of island life.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Eliala Fihaki?
Eliala Fihaki is a Tuvaluan woman of Irish ancestry who lives in New Zealand with her husband and four children. Her ancestor Jack O’Brien came from Inishbofin.
What is COP31?
COP31 is an international climate summit taking place in Antalya, Turkey, where governments and civil society groups discuss climate action and emissions reduction.
What conference are Ireland and Tuvalu planning?
Ireland and Tuvalu are jointly supporting the second international Transition Away From Fossil Fuels conference, planned for next summer. Tuvalu wants to host the meeting.
Why is Tuvalu vulnerable to climate change?
Tuvalu faces threats including rising sea levels, coastal erosion and damage to protective infrastructure. These pressures raise concerns about the future habitability of its islands.
The wider climate message
Fihaki’s story adds a human dimension to the Latest Irish News on climate diplomacy. It shows how family history can connect Ireland to distant communities and how climate action is also about belonging, dignity and the right to shape the future.
Tuvalu is not only a symbol of climate danger. It is a living country with a distinct culture, a global voice and people determined to be heard. The strongest takeaway from Fihaki’s campaign is clear: international climate solidarity should respond to danger without defining communities by despair.