A Tuvaluan elder living in Fairfield in Australia is calling upon the government to assist in resettling what may be some of the world's first climate change refugees. A local Australian newspaper is reporting that Fikau Teponga, is asking his local Darebin Council to help save his people. There are currently 11,000 people living on Tuvalu who are watching the sea level rise on their nine islands north of Fiji. Mr. Teponga fears for his family. He says, "Water from the wells is contaminated with salt and is undrinkable. People see their taro root and vegetable crops dying before their eyes and the waves are creeping further and further up from the coastline."

Tuvalu, the country that leases the rights to the domain ending, .tv, is the fourth smallest in the world and only became a member of the U.N. in 2000.

A new climate change refugee category would be required in Australia if the request is granted.