Green Daily

Because of its precarious geography, the tiny chain of islands that make up the nation of Tuvalu has become one of the prominent symbols in the debate about global warming -- the canary in the coal mine so to speak. Being built on top of a series of coral atolls, the nation is almost completely flat, its average elevation only 5 feet above sea level. The highest point on the island: 9 feet above sea level -- it's pretty easy to see how vulnerable Tuvalu is to any fluctuation in sea level or tide.

Delegates from Tuvalu made their case in Bali earlier this month, hoping that their pleas for change would produce some kind of ice re-freezing results. But after the conference, things look pretty much the same as before. Australia's National Tidal Facility has recorded a slight rising in sea level for the past 10 years, and it looks like the trend will continue; whether or not it's a man made phenomenon.

The big question being raised by policy makers is: will Tuvalu be allowed to sue the rest of the world for damages? Especially the US? What would it mean if they won their case? Maybe the Tuvaluans would build a seawall around their island and protect it, or maybe they would buy a condo high rise in Manhattan.