about

The future of TUVALU is your & our future.

The international community must realize that global warming is not an irrelevant issue that we may face sometime in the future, but a threat of tremendous immediacy that affects us all.

Who can portray this message better than the people of Tuvalu, whose lives are under threat from rising sea levels?

By capturing the vibrant character of the Tuvaluan people and taking their voice to the world stage, we aim to give new life to the fight against global warming. By 2020, we will take photographs and interviews of all 10,000 Tuvaluans, the result of which will be published in a photo essay, and taken to exhibitions around the world.

We can not let this beautiful country with its vibrant people and rich cultural heritage disappear beneath the waves!

About This project

In 2007 we started the 10,000 project. The 10,000 project is a program in which project team members have begun visiting all Tuvaluan people, taking photos and conducting private interviews. The result of these meetings will be published in a photo book, shown at exhibition, posted on websites and so on.

This project aims to create a better understanding throughout the world community that the crisis of Global Warming is no longer a projected problem of the future or one that affects a small handful of individuals, but instead it is threat of tremendous immediacy that affects us all.

By reducing green house gasses we can solve not only the crisis in Tuvalu but also protect the future of the planet and all of its life and beauty. The time to act is now. Let’s stand together.

Please also check the project concept sheet.

Project history

  • 2007 : Location = Nukulaelae Atoll

    • Interview period = a month and a half
    • Number of people = 329
    • Team members= Shuuichi Endou, Kyoko Kawasaka, Shilafaga Laula, Yuko Endou.

  • 2008 : Location = Niutao island

    • Interview period = two months
    • Number of people = 642
    • Team members= Shuuichi Endou, Kyoko Kawasaka, Haruka Araki, Tolu Omiya, Yuko Endou.

  • 2010 : Location = Nukufetau Atoll

    • Interview period = a month and a half
    • Number of people = 560
    • Team members= Shuuichi Endou, Haruna Kitazoe, Heishu, Kaoru Kaganoi.

  • 2012 : Location = Vaitupu Atoll

    • Interview period = two months
    • Number of people = 803
    • Team members= Shuuichi Endou, Asuka Hirabe, Haruna Kitazoe.

  • 2013 : Location = Nui Atoll

    • Interview period = a month and a half
    • Number of people = 500
    • Team members= Shuuichi Endou, Haruna Kitazoe.

  • 2015 : Location = Kioa in FIJI

    • Interview period = a month
    • Number of people = 152
    • Team members= Shuuichi Endou, Apinelu Tili, Hideki Ando.

  • 2018 : Location = Funafuti Atoll

    • Interview period = a month
    • Number of people = 257
    • Team members= Shuuichi Endou, Ian Shimizu, Nina Sakai.

Since 2018, this project is an open project. Anyone can participate in this project as a photographer and interviewer. PLZ check “To photographer” menu. Detailed information is posted.