This Country Has 79 Years Left to Live

Drew Binsky

14 Feb 201905:48

Summary

TLDRThe video script discusses the Republic of Kiribati, a nation of 33 islands facing imminent submersion by 2100 due to climate change. It highlights the island's vulnerability, with residents already experiencing the devastating effects of rising sea levels, including the loss of land and homes. The script emphasizes the urgent need for solutions, such as building higher sea walls or relocating residents, and calls for global awareness and action to combat climate change.

Takeaways

🌍 Kiribati, a nation of 33 islands and atolls, is facing the threat of being completely submerged by the year 2100.
🏝️ The islands, once a tropical paradise, are now experiencing the devastating effects of climate change from the ground level.
🌊 Sea walls that were once protective are now being washed away by the waves, indicating the severity of coastal erosion.
🏠 Displacement of residents is already happening, with houses and land disappearing under the rising tides.
📍 South Tarawa, the main island, is particularly vulnerable with a peak altitude of only three meters.
🚗 The main road, which is vital for transportation and daily life, is at risk of being wiped out by the encroaching sea.
🌱 The rising ocean levels are destroying freshwater sources and crops, forcing villagers to evacuate.
🌊 The impact of climate change is not a distant future problem for Kiribati; it is a current reality.
🌐 The people of Kiribati are among the first to experience the real impacts of climate change, living at the crossroads of the equator and the international date line.
📉 The term 'climate refugees' is introduced, highlighting the human cost of climate change.
💡 Solutions proposed include building higher sea walls, relocating populations to other countries, and increasing tourism to boost the economy and awareness.

Q & A

What is the geographical composition of Kiribati?
-Kiribati is a nation composed of 33 islands and atolls located in the central Pacific Ocean.
What is the current situation of Kiribati in terms of climate change?
-Kiribati is facing severe impacts of climate change, with the country expected to be completely submerged underwater by the year 2100.
What is the significance of the sea wall mentioned in the script?
-The sea wall was built as a protective measure, but it has been reduced in size due to erosion caused by waves, indicating the severity of coastal erosion.
Where do most of Kiribati's residents live?
-More than half of Kiribati's hundred thousand residents live on the main island called South Tarawa.
What is the peak altitude of South Tarawa?
-The peak altitude of South Tarawa is only three meters, making it highly vulnerable to sea level rise.
What is the importance of the main road on South Tarawa?
-The main road on South Tarawa is crucial as it connects most points on the island and is used for transportation of food, water, and people.
How is the rising sea level affecting the daily life of Kiribati's residents?
-The rising sea level has caused the ocean to break through freshwater ponds, destroy crops, and force villagers to evacuate, disrupting their daily lives.
What term is used to describe people displaced by climate change?
-The term used to describe people displaced by climate change is 'climate refugees'.
What measures is the Kiribati government taking to prepare for the impacts of climate change?
-The Kiribati government is sending locals to Australia and New Zealand for jobs to help them adapt to life outside Kiribati.
What are some of the solutions proposed to combat climate change in Kiribati?
-Some proposed solutions include building higher sea walls around the country, buying land overseas for relocation, and increasing the number of Kiribati citizens working abroad.
How does the script suggest boosting Kiribati's economy to fight climate change?
-The script suggests boosting the economy by increasing tourism, which would help familiarize more people with climate change and provide an economic boost.

Outlines

00:00

🌊 Vanishing Paradise: Kiribati's Climate Crisis

The video script describes the Republic of Kiribati, a nation of 33 islands in the central Pacific Ocean, which is facing the devastating effects of climate change. Despite its tropical beauty, the islands are predicted to be completely submerged by the year 2100. The script details the shrinking sea wall, abandoned houses, and the rising sea levels that are already forcing villagers to evacuate. The main island, South Tarawa, with a peak altitude of only three meters, is particularly vulnerable. The island's infrastructure, including a single road that serves as the lifeline for the community, is at risk of being washed away. The script emphasizes the urgency of the situation, as Kiribati is already experiencing the consequences of climate change, which many其他地方 still consider a distant threat. The people of Kiribati are portrayed as warm and friendly, yet they are the first to face the harsh realities of a changing climate, with the ocean that once provided for them now threatening their existence.

05:01

💡 Solutions for Climate Refugees

The second paragraph of the script discusses potential solutions to the climate crisis in Kiribati. It suggests building higher sea walls around the country and purchasing land overseas for relocation. However, these solutions are not without their challenges, such as the high cost of boats. The script then proposes alternative solutions, including sending more Kiribati citizens abroad for work opportunities, with the government's current initiative to send a thousand people, and the idea of increasing this number to ten thousand. Another suggestion is to boost tourism to raise awareness of climate change and stimulate the economy, which is crucial for combating the effects of climate change. The video host, Drewbinski, invites viewers to share their thoughts and opinions on how to address the climate change issue in Kiribati and globally, emphasizing the need for collective action and awareness.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Kiribati

Kiribati is a nation composed of 33 islands and atolls located in the central Pacific Ocean. In the video, it is depicted as a tropical paradise from above, but the ground level reveals a stark reality of environmental challenges. Kiribati serves as a central theme in the video, illustrating the devastating effects of climate change and rising sea levels.

💡Submerged

The term 'submerged' refers to the process of being completely covered by water. In the context of the video, it is used to describe the predicted fate of Kiribati by the year 2100, where rising sea levels are expected to completely cover the islands, displacing its inhabitants.

💡Climate Change

Climate change is a long-term shift in global or regional climate patterns. The video emphasizes climate change as the primary cause of Kiribati's environmental crisis, with the script highlighting how the island's residents are already experiencing its impacts, such as coastal erosion and the need for sea walls.

💡Sea Wall

A sea wall is a coastal defense structure designed to protect the land from erosion by the sea. The video mentions a sea wall in Kiribati that has been significantly reduced in size due to wave action, indicating the failure of human-made structures to withstand the forces of climate change.

💡Displacement

Displacement in the video refers to the forced movement of people from their homes due to environmental factors, such as rising sea levels. The script discusses the remnants of houses and the uncertainty of the residents' current locations, suggesting that they may have been displaced by the tide.

💡South Tarawa

South Tarawa is the main island of Kiribati, with a peak altitude of only three meters. The video uses South Tarawa as an example to illustrate the vulnerability of low-lying islands to the effects of climate change, such as inundation and the threat to infrastructure.

💡Climate Refugees

Climate refugees are individuals displaced from their homes due to sudden or gradual environmental changes. The video introduces this term to describe the potential future of Kiribati's residents, emphasizing the urgent need for global awareness and action to address climate change.

💡Adaptation

Adaptation in the context of the video refers to the measures taken by Kiribati to adjust to the effects of climate change, such as relocating citizens to other countries like Australia and New Zealand. It highlights the proactive steps the government is taking to prepare for the inevitable impacts of climate change.

💡Economy

The economy is mentioned in relation to Kiribati's struggle to afford solutions like building higher sea walls or purchasing land overseas. The video suggests that a stronger economy could provide the resources needed to combat the effects of climate change and support the nation's adaptation efforts.

💡Tourism

Tourism is proposed in the video as a potential solution to boost Kiribati's economy and raise awareness about climate change. By attracting visitors, the video suggests that Kiribati can educate the world about its plight and gain financial support to mitigate the effects of climate change.

💡Solutions

Solutions in the video refer to the various strategies discussed to combat the effects of climate change in Kiribati. These include building higher sea walls, relocating citizens, increasing tourism, and sending more people abroad for jobs. The video emphasizes the need for immediate and effective solutions to protect the island nation.

Highlights

Kiribati, a nation of 33 islands and atolls, is facing the threat of being completely submerged by the year 2100.

The sea wall that once protected the land has been washed away by waves.

Houses and land that existed five years ago are now gone, leaving only remnants.

South Tarawa, the main island, has a peak altitude of only three meters, making it highly vulnerable.

The island's main road, essential for transportation and daily life, is at risk of being wiped out by the encroaching sea.

Climate change is not a distant future problem for Kiribati; it is already happening.

The local population is among the first to experience the real impacts of climate change.

The rising ocean has destroyed freshwater ponds, crops, and forced evacuations.

The term 'climate refugees' is introduced, highlighting the human cost of climate change.

The Kiribati government is relocating locals to Australia and New Zealand to adapt to life outside their homeland.

The consequences of climate change are inevitable and will affect everyone in different ways.

Kiribati is the first country to pay the price for rising water levels.

The video urges viewers to take climate change seriously and consider the future for generations to come.

Solutions proposed include building higher sea walls and buying land overseas for relocation.

The cost of boats for relocation is a significant challenge.

Sending more Kiribati people abroad for jobs and boosting tourism are suggested as potential solutions.

The video calls for global awareness and action on climate change, emphasizing its urgency.

Viewers are encouraged to share the video and discuss potential solutions in the comments.