Kiribati

• State the location of the Kiribati islands

  Located in the Pacific ocean, extend almost as wide as the USA
• What are the characteristics of the Kiribati islands?

  Most places areunder 1mbelow sea level. The main island is South Tarawa, which has apopulation of over 50,000and density similar to Tokyo (over 6,100 persons per square km). There areno current coastal protection.
• State sea level surrounding the Kiribati islands

  Sea levels are risingby 12mmper year (4 times more than global average)
• What are the problems as a result of sea level rise?

  1. Most places are predicted to disappear below sea level rise in the next 50 years 2. Rising sea levels result in salinization 3. Sea water over the top would result in salinization for 15 months to 2 years
• State a problem relating to changes in climate

  Shift in weather patterns could push South tarawa in the hurricane belt which would be terminal
• What mitigation strategies are in place?

  Create a more sustainable mid-set so people grow and eat local foods, and so people from neighbouring islands don't migrate to the island of South Tarawa
• What action did the president take?


  President Anote Tong purchased 20mh squared of land in Fiji for agriculture and fish farming projects in the immediate future.
• What two options do the people of the Kiribati islands have in the long term?

  The government launched a 'mitigation with dignity' policy to allow people to apply for jobs in neighbouring countries. Otherwise people will have to move as environmental refugees.