The Pacific nation of Kiribati is facing a freshwater crisis and other threats due to rising sea levels. The nation’s population, living on low-lying atolls, is experiencing flooding, erosion, and food and water insecurity. This week, the United Nations will hold a high-level meeting to address the urgency of sea level rise, with island nations like Kiribati at the forefront. The meeting aims to build political consensus on action to address the social, economic, and legal consequences of rising seas.
Some countries, like Tuvalu, have accepted the possibility of relocation, while others, like Kiribati, are still fighting and seeking assistance from wealthier nations. Experts warn that the worst impacts of sea level rise are inevitable and will make it impossible for many Pacific atolls to remain inhabitable. While some island nations are hesitant to concede their futures and move, preparations for relocation and protection measures are necessary.
Kiribati is seeking financial support to raise its islands and mitigate the effects of rising seas. However, without significant investment and global cooperation, the country may face uninhabitable islands by the end of the century. Activists like Christine Tekanene are calling on developed nations to take responsibility for the emissions contributing to the crisis and to assist in preventing further damage. As sea levels continue to rise, the fate of Kiribati and other low-lying nations hangs in the balance as world leaders discuss urgent action at the UN meeting.
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