Citizenship to fight climate change?
Nauru, a tiny island country in the Pacific Ocean, is selling citizenship for $105,000. The money will help protect the country from climate change.
Nauru is only 21 square kilometers. Rising sea levels, strong storms, and coastal erosion are putting the country at risk. If the ocean level rises too much, parts of Nauru could be underwater.
Has anyone shown interest yet?
Nauru hopes to get 500 people to buy its citizenship and raise $62 million. Since last year, 66 people have successfully applied for it.
Stricter rules to avoid past mistakes
In the mid-1990s, Nauru sold ‘golden passports,’ but the program had to stop after two Al-Qaeda members got citizenship.
This time, Nauru is being very careful. Only people who pass strict background checks can apply. People from high-risk countries like Russia and North Korea cannot get citizenship.
How will the money be used?
Nauru once depended on phosphate mining, which damaged 80% of its land. Because of this, most people live along the coast. However, sea levels are rising, and living near the water is no longer safe.
The government will use the money to move 90% of Nauru’s 12,500 people to safer, higher land. They will build a new community where people can live away from the dangerous coast.
What are the benefits of Nauru’s citizenship?
A Nauru passport allows people to travel to 89 countries without needing a visa. These include the UK, UAE, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
Many new citizens may never visit Nauru, but the passport will help them travel and live in different parts of the world.
Why is Nauru being forced to take such steps?
Rich countries have caused most of the climate damage but have not helped the poor nations enough. The rich countries are not giving them the money they promised, and most money comes in the form of loans, and not free support.
In January 2025, U.S. President Trump left the Paris Agreement, cutting financial support for climate action.
Because of this, small nations like Nauru must find their own ways to survive. Hopefully, all countries will work together to stop climate change before it is too late.
