Nauru is addressing rising sea levels by selling citizenship to fund relocation of its population. Passports are priced at $105,000 each, offering access to 89 countries. Following a past scandal, the government has vowed to conduct thorough vetting of applicants. The island faces significant environmental challenges, with much land becoming uninhabitable due to mining and climate change effects.
Nauru, a Pacific island nation with a population of 13,000, is selling citizenship to fund the inland relocation of its residents in response to rising sea levels. President David Adeang announced that the government intends to collect funds by selling passports to foreigners for $105,000 each, an approach criticized for potential criminal misuse. The scheme aims to provide visa-free access to 89 countries including the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates.
To secure the future of its citizens, Nauru anticipates relocating 90% of its population, with initial costs exceeding $60 million. Despite a previous scandal involving passport sales to al-Qaeda members, the government now promises rigorous vetting for applicants. Nauru is situated on a small plateau in the South Pacific, covering just 21 square kilometers, making it one of the smallest sovereign nations worldwide.
Historically, Nauru gained attention for its high-quality phosphate deposits used in fertilizers, but these resources have been largely exhausted. Consequently, 80% of the island is now uninhabitable due to mining activities, and the remaining land is increasingly at risk from environmental factors such as rising tides. The government emphasizes the urgency of securing a safe and sustainable future for the next generation.
Nauru’s initiative to sell citizenship as a means to fund mass relocation reflects the critical impact of climate change on small island nations. With rising sea levels rendering much of the landscape uninhabitable, the government is taking drastic measures to secure both the safety of its residents and the viability of the island’s future. Lessons from past citizenship mishaps underscore the need for stringent vetting procedures for potential investors.
Original Source: babel.ua
