Kiribati - the human face of climate change

Copenhagen: 14 December 2009 --- Kiribati President Anote Tong says history has seen nations lose their sovereignty and human rights through warfare and actions of aggressive neighbours - the effects of climate change will be just the same as if Kiribati had been attacked by a very hostile and deadly enemy.

"The issue of climate change is the greatest moral challenge of the 21st century," says the President of Kiribati, Anote Tong, who arrives in Copenhagen on 15 December. 

"The world can no longer afford the consequences of inaction    Low-lying states like Kiribati are already the human face of climate change.  

"We are among the most vulnerable of the vulnerable.   Even a marginal increase in sea levels will be disastrous for our country's future. 

"Only last week we experienced damaging storm surges and the destruction of sea walls.   Ever worsening scientific forecasts bring us little comfort - we directly experience higher tides and more frequent storms which bring salt water intrusion and coastal flooding.  We have long periods of drought, an endangered supply of fresh water, and bleaching of the coral reefs that cradle our islands. 

“Increased flooding has already forced some of our villagers to move inland – but this is a short trip, because our islands are so narrow - there is no place to go.  If we keep moving back we fall into the sea.”

"These countries are like the canary in the coal mine in terms of the dramatic impact of climate change on a whole civilization of people,” says Harvard University biological oceanographer James J. McCarthy. “They didn't cause the problem, but they are among the first to feel it.”

Spread over about 3.5 million square kilometres in the Central Pacific. the Republic of Kiribati (pronounced "Kiribas") lies midway between Hawaii and Fiji.  Formerly the Gilbert Islands under British colonial rule, its three major island groups are home to 100,000 people.  

Classified by the United Nations as “a least developed country”, the economic development of Kiribati is severely constrained by its dispersed and isolated atoll geography and narrow resource base.

"We find it very disturbing to hear international commentators speak of our country and its continued welfare as being an issue of "collateral damage" says the President.   

"Climate Change is a deeply human issue – it is about the rights of a people to enjoy their sovereignty, their dignity, their lifestyle and their culture.  It also calls into question the effectiveness of our international organizations to act on behalf of all members.”

 "If we can mobilize trillions of dollars to address the challenges to the global economy, then we are capable of taking the actions necessary to deal with the challenges of the global environment.  

"We are a proud people" says the President.  "We do not come to Copenhagen as beggars – that is not our way. But we cannot face this huge challenge without international support – both practical and moral.  

"In Kiribati, the Maldives, Tuvalu and the Marshalls, whole communities face real danger – their survival is at stake - our own survival is at stake as a people, as a unique and vibrant culture and as a sovereign nation.  

"To turn your back and watch your neighbour go down when you could have done something - I think that’s immoral, and calls into question our humanity, and the way we treat each other as members of the human family.

"Along with our endangered partners we call upon all world leaders to act with humanity and without delay, we call on the world media to help raise our voice, and we call on all citizens of the planet  to address with real compassion, commitment and urgency the critical issues we, the most vulnerable, are facing.”

Press Statement from the Office of the President of the Government of Kiribati