Why in news?
John Warmington, a veteran diver from Vanuatu, recently described how once‑vibrant coral reefs near Havannah Harbour have become graveyards after repeated cyclones, starfish infestations and a powerful earthquake. In response, Vanuatu has led over 130 countries to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) seeking legal accountability for major polluters. For the island nation, this is a plea for survival and dignity rather than politics.
Background
Vanuatu, a Pacific island chain, is highly vulnerable to climate change and natural disasters. More than 70% of its people rely on subsistence farming, and repeated cyclones and rising seas have devastated homes, schools and crops. In March 2023 two cyclones hit within a week, followed by a magnitude‑7.3 earthquake. Vanuatu’s case at the ICJ asks whether states have legal obligations to protect the climate and whether polluting countries should be held accountable for harm to island nations.
Key takeaways
- Moral leadership from the margins: Vanuatu shows that small nations can influence global norms through ethical leadership, demonstrating that moral authority is not tied to military or economic size.
- Resilience through adversity: Repeated disasters have forged community resilience and spurred innovative legal strategies; adversity can become a catalyst for change.
- Voice of climate justice: The ICJ case elevates the principle that those who contribute the least to climate change often suffer the most. A favourable advisory opinion could strengthen future legal regimes on environmental protection.
Relevance for UPSC aspirants
- Essay paper: Themes of ethical leadership, environmental justice and power asymmetry offer rich fodder for reflective essays.
- Ethics (GS IV): Raises questions about intergenerational responsibility, Rawlsian justice and duties of the powerful towards the vulnerable.
- GS III (Environment): Highlights climate governance and the potential of international law to address ecological crises.
Vanuatu’s struggle embodies the human face of climate change. Its courage in seeking legal redress underscores the urgency of bold, collective action to protect our planet.