Our Pacific neighbours on the front-line
Photo: Jerry Galea/OxfamAUS
Our neighbours in the Pacific are facing disaster. Tuvalu, Kiribati and Cartaret Islands are slowly being engulfed by the sea.
Tuvalu, Kiribati and the Carteret Islands are some of the world’s lowest-lying countries. All of Tuvalu and most of Kiribati are less than four and a half metres above sea level. Half of Tuvalu’s population of 11,000 people, live just three metres above sea level. Increasing salination of land and water supplies from tidal surges is causing crops to fail. Many have taken to planting their staple food – taro – in metal buckets.
Tuvalu is the first nation to experience forced relocations due to climate change. So far 3,000 people have been relocated. In the Carteret Islands the entire population needs to be relocated by 2015.
Know anyone who doubts climate change?
Watch this short video and in less than two minutes you’ll see how climate change is rapidly threatening the very existence of the Pacific Islands of Tuvalu, the Cartaret Islands and Kiribati.
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