Kiribati - A Climate Change Reality
Summary
TLDRThe Pacific island nation of Kiribati faces an existential threat from climate change, with rising sea levels predicted to submerge the country by 2100. The low-lying atolls are highly vulnerable, and the government is exploring relocation options to avoid a refugee crisis. The script highlights the emotional and cultural challenges of leaving ancestral lands, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to ensure the dignity and identity of the people.
Takeaways
- 🌊 The Pacific region, specifically the country of Kiribati, is one of the most affected areas by climate change globally.
- 🏝️ Kiribati consists of 33 low-lying atolls, with the highest point being no more than 4 meters above sea level, making it extremely vulnerable to sea level rise.
- 📈 Scientific research indicates that by 2100, there is a high probability of over a meter of sea level rise, which would significantly impact the flat island nation.
- 🏠 The entire population of Kiribati lives within one kilometer of the coast, highlighting the country's susceptibility to coastal inundation.
- 👨💼 The government of Kiribati is considering relocation options for its population due to the imminent threat of rising sea levels.
- 🔍 The speaker, likely a leader or official, has observed drastic changes in the landscape since their first visit in 2002, with areas now resembling swamps.
- 🤔 The speaker emphasizes the importance of planning for even a 1% chance of catastrophic events, advocating for proactive measures over a reactive stance.
- 🙏 There is a strong desire to avoid becoming refugees, with the aim to migrate with dignity if necessary due to the foreseen environmental changes.
- 🏡 Personal anecdotes reveal the impact of climate change on individuals, with some having to move their homes multiple times due to encroaching waters.
- 👴 The older generation finds it particularly challenging to accept the need to leave their land, which is deeply ingrained in their cultural identity.
- ⚰️ The script recounts a story of a funeral where a coffin floated due to high tides, symbolizing the urgency and reality of the situation.
- 🌱 The speaker expresses determination to maintain the nation's sovereignty, identity, and culture despite the existential threat posed by climate change.
Q & A
What is the main region affected by climate change according to the script?
-The Pacific region is identified as the most affected by climate change.
What specific threat is highlighted as a major concern for Kiribati?
-One of the biggest threats to Kiribati is sea level rise.
How high is Kiribati above sea level at its highest point?
-Kiribati is no more than 4 meters high at its highest point.
What proportion of Kiribati's population lives near the coast?
-100% of Kiribati's population lives within one kilometer of the coast.
By 2100, how much sea level rise is projected, and what impact will it have on Kiribati?
-Scientific research indicates that by 2100, sea levels are expected to rise by more than a meter, which will have a significant impact on Kiribati's flat islands, bringing the sea very far inland.
What options is the government of Kiribati considering in response to the threat of rising sea levels?
-The government is considering options for relocating the population.
How has the environment in Kiribati changed since 2002 according to a speaker in the script?
-The environment has drastically changed, becoming swamp-like and deteriorating, with more flooding and land loss.
What is the stance of the speaker regarding the possibility of becoming refugees due to climate change?
-The speaker emphasizes the importance of acting now to avoid becoming refugees and instead migrate with dignity.
Why do older residents of Kiribati find it difficult to leave their land?
-Older residents have a strong attachment to their land and cultural heritage, making it very hard for them to leave.
What challenges does the rising sea level pose for burial traditions in Kiribati?
-Rising sea levels cause coffins to float out of the ground, disrupting burial traditions and causing distress.
What concerns are raised about Kiribati's future as a nation and its cultural identity?
-There are concerns about whether Kiribati can remain a sovereign nation, maintain its identity, and preserve its culture in the face of potential relocation.
Outlines
🌊 Threat of Sea Level Rise in Kiribati
The first paragraph discusses the severe impact of climate change on Kiribati, a Pacific island nation, particularly due to the threat of sea level rise. The country, composed of 33 low-lying atolls, is highly vulnerable with its highest point being only 4 meters above sea level. The government is considering relocating the population, as scientific research indicates a high probability of over a meter of sea level rise by 2100. The speaker emphasizes the importance of acting now to avoid becoming refugees and to ensure a dignified migration if necessary. The paragraph also touches on the emotional and cultural challenges faced by the people, who are deeply attached to their land and find it difficult to consider leaving their island.
😔 The Future of Kiribati and Cultural Identity
The second paragraph continues the theme of climate change's impact on Kiribati, focusing on the emotional and cultural implications of potential displacement. The speaker expresses sadness at the thought of having to leave their homeland and the challenges of maintaining cultural identity and sovereignty. The paragraph raises questions about the future of the nation and its people, including whether they will remain a sovereign entity and how they will preserve their culture. The speaker commits to doing everything in their power to ensure the continuation of their cultural identity, despite the looming threat of becoming victims of climate change.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Climate Change
💡Sea Level Rise
💡Kiribati
💡Atolls
💡Relocation
💡Refugees
💡Vulnerability
💡NGOs
💡Sovereignty
💡Cultural Identity
💡Dignity
Highlights
The Pacific region, particularly Kiribati, is the most affected by climate change globally.
Kiribati is extremely vulnerable to sea level rise due to its low-lying atolls.
100% of Kiribati's population lives within one kilometer of the coast, making the country highly susceptible to climate impacts.
By 2100, more than a meter of sea level rise is almost certain, significantly affecting flat islands like Kiribati.
The government of Kiribati is considering relocating the population due to the severity of the situation.
The landscape of Kiribati has drastically changed since 2002, with areas becoming swamp-like.
Leaders must provide options for their people, even if there is a 1% chance of a disastrous event.
Kiribati aims to avoid becoming refugees by proactively addressing the climate crisis.
The people of Kiribati are deeply connected to their land and leaving is a difficult decision.
Cultural practices, such as burial customs, are being disrupted by the rising sea levels.
The younger generation is starting to understand the severity of climate change impacts.
Maintaining cultural identity and sovereignty is a priority for Kiribati amidst climate challenges.
The leader of Kiribati is committed to preserving the nation's culture and identity despite climate threats.
There is a need for special provisions and soul-searching to address the plight of climate victims.
The potential loss of land and sovereignty is a deeply concerning thought for the people of Kiribati.
Transcripts
scientific research shows that the
Pacific is B region most affected in the
entire world by climate change
I definitely
in on smell
they have nine NGOs I'll get the hell
would I believe I put them double one
and watch
in the case of pure bass one of the
biggest threats is a sea level rise and
that's because Kara bass which is
composed of 33 low-lying atolls is no
more than 4 meters high at the highest
point and incur best we can say that
100% of the population lives within one
kilometer of the coast so the country is
extremely vulnerable
given that the scientific research shows
that by 2100 it's almost certain now
that we'll have more than a meter of sea
level rise on a flat island like cater
bass that amount of sea level rise comes
very far inland so it's a very serious
situation and for that reason the
government is looking at options for
relocating the population
when I came here in 2002 this place now
has been completely changed now as you
can you can see it's like a swamp right
how many more is wine and then it will
be completely a low poly leaf in this
village
we've seen the scenarios the projections
put forward by the scientific community
I am NOT being pessimistic I'm being
very realistic and I think as a leader
it's important that we provide options
even if there is that 1% possibility
that it will happen we must provide the
options for our people one thing that I
want and I've always emphasized is that
we we never wish to be refugees and we
would be refugees if we don't do
anything now because a refugee is a a
response to an expert an unexpected
event okay but we know it's coming so we
should be acting accordingly beginning
from now and then we would have our
people if they need to migrate to
migrate with dignity not as refugees
I have moved three times three - yes I
will my profession is about 20 meters
from me 15 meters 20 meters from where
I'm standing after another tree is able
to move away from me
and built another home yeah unless your
house just over the seawall yeah that's
my last house I'm not quite sure how
long I would we did attach it depends on
this I was wrong my soui who stand high
tide was nothing we can do about it
the younger people are beginning to
understand but the the older ones it's
very very hard for them because it's
very attached to the land no forever
land you have to stay and die there and
it's very hard to to leave your Island
one time we went through the cemetery
and there was a funeral took place and
this coffin was put into the ground but
somehow is floating on this in the on
the Indian in there no it's floating and
they have to put stone to to put it
right on to us
no it's very important for our ancestors
where you bury your dead I don't want to
live here because I was born here and my
sister sits here as well but it's
affects anybody that takes affects me
then I will have you some video
I feel very sad in its hurried setting
to leave where you come from
the scientists have say that in 50 years
it depends for submerged underwater
that's not a happy thought
kappa trading will be of no consequence
to us so there has got to be some very
special provisions for the victims not
the potential victims the victims
because we are victims and so
discouraged there's got to be some very
deep soul-searching at the part of
people to do something about
we did it
will we remain the sovereign nation will
we remain a people will will we be able
to maintain the identity in the culture
that we have and my answer is yes I will
do everything in my power to be able to
do so
at webcast and who is going to pay
you
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