The (Soon To Be) Lost Country of Kiribati

Kiribati has done nothing to earn this fate. With a small population and barely any industries in the country, its greenhouse gas emissions are negligible. However, these humble and friendly people will be forced to give up their land. They look desperately to the rich countries for help, those who have contributed the most to the greenhouse game.

As a small country, Kiribati has shouldered great responsibility in preserving the environment. In 2008, the government declared 150,000 square miles of Phoenix Islands as protected Marine Park. Any methods of exploiting natural resources, including fishing, are limited. The Phoenix Islands Protected Area, at 408,205 square kilometers, is now a United Nations World Heritage Site.

[pullquote]“They don’t understand climate change. Even though their island is dying, they still don’t want to do anything or [leave]… They would rather die with the island.”[/pullquote]

“We need to make sacrifices to provide a future for our children and grandchildren,” the Kiribati president says.

In World War II, Kiribati was a battle field for troops from Japan and America and their people suffered greatly. Now it again becomes the frontline of a war it has no part in. As a country on the frontline of climate change, they are going to be one of the first affected by the lack of action by others.

Image courtesy of KevGuy4101via Flickr

Maureen Lu is a Chinese-background junior journalist based in Australia. She is currently working towards a Master of Global Media Communications at the University of Melbourne. Her passions include environmental problems, international issues and gender equity.