Kiribati: The face of climate change

By Maddie Rhoden, iGeneration Youth, Tribune Content Agency on 10.30.18

Word Count 1,363
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Maritina Nakekea, 19, is a resident of Kiribati, a country made up of 33 coral atolls located halfway between Australia and Hawaii. Today
Kiribati's existence is threatened by climate change. Photo: Itinnaibo Aukitino/iGeneration Youth

On March 3, 2014, giant waves, known as "king tides," crashed over the shore of Kiribati. It is a
country made up of 33 coral atolls located halfway between Australia and Hawaii.

Mariston Ioabo, who was 7 years old at the time, found it funny
— and exciting. He recalls laughing at his cousin who lived next
door. Her house was full of seawater, and the family's
belongings were bobbing on the water's surface.

Mariston remembers crying to his mother for a drink later that

day. She told him the water in his family's well was
Image 1. Kiribati residents paddle to a
contaminated. That's when he learned that the situation was
nearby village called Abatao. During high
actually serious and dangerous.
tide, villagers must travel by canoe, not foot.
"I was restless, especially when I heard the loud sound of the Traditional Kiribati houses are made from
roaring waves breaking on the shore," said Mariston. He is now wood from the trunk of coconut and
12 years old. "The incident I described still worries me. I could pandanus trees are lashed together with

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easily die if a big wave pours on us in our sleep because my land string made from the fibers of coconut
is small and very low and close to the sea." husks. Photo: Itinnaibo
Aukitino/iGeneration Youth
If you're thinking Mariston's fears are unfounded, don't. The
Pacific-Australia Climate Change Science and Adaptation
Planning (PACCSAP) program of the Australian government commissioned some research. It
found Kiribati, which lies just 6 feet above sea level, is one low-lying Pacific nation that may be
underwater within a few decades. PACCSAP scientists predict Kiribati's future climate may include
a rise in sea level between 5 and 14 centimeters by 2030, and between 20 and 58 centimeters by
2090 -- if greenhouse gas emissions remain high.
Statistics
Rising sea level is just one effect of climate change, a term used by scientists, politicians and
experts to describe changes in the Earth's climate caused by human activities.

The mix of gases in the atmosphere that keeps the temperature on Earth suitable for life is called
the "greenhouse effect." It's a good thing. However, according to PACCSAP, over the past 250
years, humans have been raising the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This is
mostly from burning fossil fuels. The main offenders are factories, trucks, boats, planes and cars.
As a result of the increase in industrial activity, the emission of greenhouse gases has grown ten-
fold. Extra greenhouse gases have heightened the greenhouse effect, resulting in global warming,
which leads to climate change.
Expert testimony
"Developed countries produce a high percentage of the world's gas emissions," said Teruabine
Anna Nuariki. She is a volunteer youth coordinator at Kiribati Climate Action Network. She is also
a board member at The Pacific Island Climate Action Network. It is a non-profit organization that
supports Pacific Island countries as they advocate for climate justice. "This is an ethical and
political issue that needs to be discussed at a global level so that solutions can be found and
implemented to avoid or limit the danger that climate change will cause to our land and our lives."

In Kiribati, well water is the only source of fresh water for many people.

The wells in Mariston's community were black with contamination. They boiled the water but still
drank it because they had no other water to drink.

Drinking saline and contaminated water causes an increase in waterborne and airborne diseases.
"Children are mostly affected, since they're so vulnerable," said Nuariki.

As a result of rising sea levels, food crops are also destroyed by seawater. Kiribati already has poor
soil, said Nuariki. Fruit crops can't bear fruits, so people are relying on imported goods.

Teraiman Rubo, 18, who lives on the island of Maiana, knows this firsthand. Experience
When seawater interacts with freshwater, it causes the soil to dry, she said. The amount of salt
dissolved in the freshwater isn't natural. It destroys fruit crops.

Foods, such as fruits and coconuts, that people in Kiribati traditionally rely on, are at risk. Items
like rice and flour have to be imported. Seeing the fruits die and fall from the trees makes Rubo
especially sad.

"If this never stops, I can predict what will happen in the next five or 10 years. Developed
countries that continuously enjoy competition for power among themselves will forget about

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smaller, vulnerable countries like Kiribati who will suffer the consequences of their greed for
power," she said. Experience
Another problem is that people living near the shore are uprooted from their homes. They become
refugees on their own island, said Nuariki.

Maritina Nakekea, is 19 years old. Nakekea lives on the island of Marakei, and feels uncomfortable
whenever a high tide comes.

"It carries away our land through erosion. It's taking our human rights away by uprooting our
homes. And forcing us to move inland against our will," Nakekea said. Nakekea explained how the
migration inland causes dangerous fighting because of overcrowding.

"It is a sad experience because fighting for land to live on causes disputes in the family. I believe
that if the land had not been disturbed by the effect of climate change, people would live happily
and comfortably."

According to Nuariki, there are many resources available on climate change that focus on the
reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. However, very few are specific to Pacific islands.

It's important to slow down globally, but it's important at the local level, too. "Fighting climate
change is everybody's responsibility."

"Various government and non-profit organization outreach programs are designing behavioral
awareness strategies to help build and enhance resilience of Kiribati's most vulnerable people."
Example
For example, The Ministry of Education has implemented climate change lessons in Kiribati's
national education curriculum. Younger students like Mariston work together to plant the
vegetables that better tolerate drought, salt, heat or heavy rain, such as cabbage, said Mariston.
Older students research effects of climate change on Kiribati. They concentrate on what actions
they can take at a local level to adapt or reduce risk. Students also learn how to make people aware
of the benefits of their efforts.

The goal is to bring awareness to the children on what climate change is and how to cope with it in
their lives, said Nuariki. Kiribati is a Christian country. Both Mariston and Nuariki explained that
the community puts its trust in God. Many people in Kiribati believe that they will continue to live
in Kiribati. However, others, such as students who understand climate change, have a different
view.

"We, young people are encouraged by our teachers to study hard so that we can get good jobs in
the future and go overseas," Mariston said.

Nuariki believes, "most Kiribati people who have been migrating to other countries are motivated
to leave Kiribati because they are afraid." They worry it will one day be covered by the sea.

The challenge to save Kiribati is a large one. The people who live on the islands are unified in one
thought. They believe Kiribati is on the front line of a deadly attack from developed countries. The
weapon is greenhouse gas emissions.

In their minds, the solutions are clear.

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"We, Kiribati people are victims of developed nations' activities. So we are asking them to stop
hurting us and our country. They are causing our land to sink," said Nakekea.

"It will break my heart if there is no more Kiribati. I will be very

sad, as I will lose my culture and identity," said Nakekea.

Rubo, who said the things she would miss most about Kiribati
are the traditional dances and handicrafts as well as the smiling
faces of its people, will miss welcoming visitors to her special
country. She simply wants a better place to live in the future.
Image 2. Twelve-year-old Mariston Ioabo is
She repeats Nakekea's message. "Please cut down greenhouse a resident of Kiribati. Photo: Itinnaibo
gas emissions so that we can stay longer and enjoy the beauty of Aukitino/iGeneration Youth
our culture and country."

As for Mariston, he just wants to be able to sleep at night.

_Maddie Rhoden, 17, is an iGeneration Youth reporter who lives in Edinburgh, Scotland._

The clam is green house gas emissions are causing problems in Kiribati.

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Write Prompt

Write a short paragraph that explains the central idea of the article. Use at least two details from
the article to support your response.

This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com.

Quiz

1 Which sentence from the article would be MOST important to include in a summary of the article?

(A) It is a country made up of 33 coral atolls located halfway between Australia and Hawaii.

(B) When seawater interacts with freshwater, it causes the soil to dry, she said.

(C) Seeing the fruits die and fall from the trees makes Rubo especially sad.

(D) Another problem is that people living near the shore are uprooted from their homes.

2 Read the list of sentences from the article.

1. It found Kiribati, which lies just 6 feet above sea level, is one low-lying Pacific nation that
may be underwater within a few decades.
2. PACCSAP scientists predict Kiribati's future climate may include a rise in sea level between
5 and 14 centimeters by 2030, and between 20 and 58 centimeters by 2090 -- if greenhouse
gas emissions remain high.
3. The wells in Mariston's community were black with contamination.
4. As a result of rising sea levels, food crops are also destroyed by seawater.

What central idea does this evidence support?

(A) Climate change happens when there is a concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

(B) People in Kiribati are upset with wealthier countries because of their role in climate change.

(C) Rising ocean levels caused by climate change are creating disastrous effects on Kiribati.

(D) Many people are sad that they will have to leave Kiribati because of climate change.

3 What is MOST LIKELY the reason the author included information about the Ministry of Education?

(A) to show that the people and government of Kiribati are finding positive ways to deal with climate change

(B) to explain how the people of Kiribati plan to retaliate against other countries that produce greenhouse
gases

(C) to illustrate that the people of Kiribati expect to lose their way of life and their homes in the near future

(D) to highlight the fact that the people of Kiribati are to blame for the problems they face with climate
change

4 Read the following passage introducing Teruabine Anna Nuariki.

"Developed countries produce a high percentage of the world's gas emissions," said Teruabine
Anna Nuariki. She is a volunteer youth coordinator at Kiribati Climate Action Network. She is also
a board member at The Pacific Island Climate Action Network. It is a non-profit organization that
supports Pacific Island countries as they advocate for climate justice. "This is an ethical and
political issue that needs to be discussed at a global level so that solutions can be found and
implemented to avoid or limit the danger that climate change will cause to our land and our lives."

What does the author MOST LIKELY want the reader to think about Nuariki based on this introductory passage?

(A) that she is someone who is vindictive and wants revenge against wealthier countries

(B) that she is someone who is determined to help her country fight climate change

(C) that she is someone who feels hopeless about the situation facing her country

(D) that she is someone who is worried that she isn't doing enough to address climate change

This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com.