Kiribati Flashcards
What are the Kiribati islands?
33 islands in the Southern Pacific Ocean.
Why are they at risk?
Most of the islands are very low-lying with only 1m above sea level.
Therefore, may of them could disappear within 50 years.
What is the rate of sea level rise?
Around 1.2cm per year (4x global average)
What have Kiribati done to secure its food supply?
President Anote Tong of Kiribati purchased 20km^2 from Fiji as rising sea levels is causing a contamination of groundwater and reducing its ability to grow crops.
How did Kiribati help its residents to leave?
The govt launched a “migration with dignity” scheme where residents are given choice to move to neighbouring nations such as New Zealand.
What will happen to Kiribati’s residents if they stay?
If the islands become submerged, living there will become nearly impossible and they will become the first environmental refugees.
