Kiribati, a Pacific nation surrounded by vast ocean, is grappling with a freshwater crisis as rising sea levels contaminate underground wells and saturate soil with salt. Climate activist Christine Tekanene emphasizes the dire situation, stating, “Our waters have been infected. Those who are affected can’t survive with the water that has changed after sea level rise.”
The freshwater crisis is just one aspect of the numerous threats Kiribati faces due to climate change. The nation, consisting of low-lying atolls just a few meters above sea level, is increasingly vulnerable to flooding, coastal erosion, and persistent food and water insecurity. As global temperatures rise and ice sheets melt, Kiribati finds itself on the front lines of climate change.
This week, the United Nations General Assembly will hold a high-level meeting aimed at addressing the existential threats posed by rising seas. The meeting seeks to build political consensus on the social, economic, and legal repercussions of climate change, particularly for vulnerable island nations like Kiribati.
Discussions surrounding potential population relocations are contentious. While some nations, such as Tuvalu, have started to prepare for this possibility, Kiribati has recently re-evaluated its prior decision to purchase land in Fiji for relocation. Ambassador Fatumanava Dr. Pa’olelei Luteru highlights the determination of many small island states to resist such measures, stating, “There’s a clear expression from people that they do not want to move.”
Experts emphasize the urgent need for world leaders to acknowledge the reality of disappearing homelands. Dr. Benjamin Strauss, CEO of Climate Central, warns that while some impacts of sea level rise can be delayed, the long-term effects will inevitably threaten many Pacific atolls.
Kamal Amakrane from the Global Centre for Climate Mobility underscores the importance of providing dignified relocation options for those affected, stressing that financial support from wealthier nations will be crucial.
Kiribati anticipates severe challenges ahead, with a recent NASA assessment projecting a sea level rise of up to 50 centimeters by 2050, irrespective of global emissions cuts. Activists like Tekanene are urging developed nations to take responsibility for their historical emissions and assist in protecting Kiribati from impending disaster, emphasizing that “they can help prevent it … they can do it more than us.”
