Have you ever heard of the island nation of Tuvalu? Before today, neither had I. But this tiny Pacific country is doing its part to battle global warming, and for that it deserves to be recognized.

Tuvalu is one of several countries that have vowed to become completely carbon neutral, aiming to reduce its emission of greenhouse gases to zero by 2020. By then, says Public Utilities Minister Kausea Natano, Tuvalu will derive all its energy from wind and solar power. Other countries that have made similar pledges include Costa Rica, Ethiopia, Iceland, Maldives, Monaco, New Zealand, Niue, Norway, Pakistan and Portugal.

There’s a reason Tuvalu is helping set an example when it comes to sustainable energy. The nation only has 12,000 citizens and is made up of a string of atolls in the Pacific Ocean, north of Fiji. Its highest point is only 15 feet above sea level, meaning if global warming trends continue and ocean levels begin to rise, Tuvalu could literally be wiped off the map. This country has a vested interest in keeping global warming at bay.

Tuvalu and many of the other countries that have committed to carbon neutrality are very small, both in physical size and in population. While their ambitions of carbon neutrality are certainly admirable, they won’t necessarily make a huge impact in terms of fighting climate change on a global scale. Countries such as the United States, India and China are going to be the ones to really start reversing the trend if/when they can adopt sustainable energy sources on a large scale. However, courageous little countries like Tuvalu can help set a prime example of how a population, even a small one, can live on energy created through solar and wind power. Remember, no one should ever underestimate the little guy.

What do you think of Tuvalu and the other countries who have pledged to become carbon neutral?