Download An Island Nation

An Island Nation
By Jamie Brand
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¶1
The leaders of a Pacific island
nation are considering a remarkable
action to deal with the problems of
climate change. The president of
Kiribati, Anote Tong has announced a
backup plan. The plan is to move the
entire population of the country to Fiji
or other nearby countries.
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¶2
Kiribati is made up of a number of small islands, or atolls. Many of these
atolls rise only a few feet above sea level. Because of this, rising ocean levels,
as well as changes in weather patterns, have led to increased problems with
the islands’ fresh water. Plants and trees on the islands need this water to
grow. Scientists estimate that the sea in the Pacific is rising at a rate of two
millimeters a year. This could increase sharply due to climate change. Already
two of the thirty-two islands that make up Kiribati are underwater. Beach
villages in some places have had to move to avoid the rising tides.
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¶3
Mr. Tong said the idea to move to Fiji was a last resort. He said it could
be a matter of survival for some of the younger generation. Mr. Tong has
developed a relocation strategy. This involves creating an expatriate
community on Fiji and migrating people over time. He said they would send a
small number of skilled workers first. They could establish themselves in the
Fijian population. They could make a contribution to the local economy.
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¶4
Kiribati has a population of about 100,000 people. It is planning to buy
almost 6,000 acres on Viti Levu, Fiji’s main island. The land is being sold for
$9.6 million by a church group. It is three times as large as Tarawa, the atoll
that is currently home to over fifty percent of Kiribati’s population. The
government of Kiribati is also looking to buy land on other Fijian islands such
as Vanua Levu. The land on Fiji is very fertile. It would allow emigrating
islanders to make farms. The farms would produce vegetables, fruit and meat.
The I-Kiribati, as the islanders are known, could export the goods to Kiribati.
They could also send back barges with earth fill. The earth fill could help slow
down the sea moving on to Kiribati.
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¶5
The government of Kiribati has also introduced an education program for
its inhabitants. The program is to help them develop skills that could find them
employment after migration. Young people from Kiribati are being sent to the
University of the South Pacific, in the Fijian capital of Suva. The qualifications
they get could help them in their new lives. The government’s website says that
the education of its citizens will create a ‘win-win’ situation. The receiving
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country would benefit from the immigrating I-Kiribati. Officials hope that other
countries in the region, such as Australia or New Zealand would be willing to
allow the I-Kiribati to settle.
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¶6
Kiribati is a relatively poor country with an annual GDP of just $1,600
dollars per person. According to President Tong they have enough foreign
reserves to pay for the land. The money was made from mining phosphate in
the 1970s. Mr. Tong has also asked for aid from foreign countries. While some
counties have made big pledges, the money has not yet been given.
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¶7
The president said there are a number of other options the island will
consider to combat climate change. One plan is to build a floating island,
similar to an oil rig. He said that would probably be too expensive though.
Another idea is to protect some of the islands with sea walls. The president
hoped that this would make sure Kiribati could continue to exist even in a
worst-case scenario.
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¶8
However, Mr. Tong has admitted the country may already be past “the
point of no return". He has told reporters, "To plan for the day when you no
longer have a country is indeed painful, but I think we have to do that.”
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