2 December 2023, Dubai, UAE – The youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow. However, the youth of Kiribati are not waiting for the future to come around – they are taking action now to address the impacts of climate change on their communities and their island. Their message, that the Kiribati youth are rising with resilience, was shared during the third day of the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP28).
Members of the first youth-led organisation in Kiribati, the Tungaru Youth Action, hosted a side event at the Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion today to talk about some of the challenges that Kiribati is currently facing due to human-induced changes in the climate.
The effects of climate change on their land, ocean, water, and ocean were among the issues discussed by the youth delegates, who are also attending COP28 as negotiators for Kiribati.
Mr Bauro Lambourne, who is currently studying towards a Bachelor of Architecture at Griffith University in Australia, shared the importance that i-Tungaru people place on their land, and the non-economic losses and damage that are brought on by climate change.
“In Kiribati, the word for land is also the word for people, so we are one with our land. Our lands hold culturally significant sites such as our shrines and burial sites of our ancestors, our farming grounds, and our fishing grounds. These are tied to our identity as Kiribati people and hold the stories of who we are.”
“Climate change induced saltwater inundation and droughts are affecting the land that we use for farming and harvesting, and disrupting the practices that have been done for generations, that make us who we are.”
“Our fishing practices are affected as well. There are some species that we may not be able to fish for in the future, and we are at risk of losing this part of who we are as well. These losses and damage affecting things that are vital to us and that are part of our identity as Kiribati people.”
The ocean is also a big part of the identity of Kiribati people – but climate change is changing the way it behaves. Ms Tiein Teabo explained that while Kiribati is often referred to as a small island state, they prefer to call themselves a large ocean state – one of the largest in the world.
With the rapid increase in sea surface temperatures, it is affecting our marine ecosystems. In fact, Kiribati is identified as one of the live models for the global downfall of coral reefs due to the frequent exceeding sea surface temperatures in the region.
“At Tungaru Youth Action, we have initiated, participated, and even led ocean-based climate action such as mangrove planting and raising awareness because the more you know about something, the more curious you become and the more passionate you are to drive meaningful changes in our country.”
Other issues such as ocean acidification and ocean pollution are also plaguing Kiribati’s oceans, and Ms Teabo believes that this is where the inclusion of youth into the solutions to ocean challenges is important.
“The ocean is very important to the Pacific Islands, and so the inclusion of youth will help to build and maintain our resilience and ensure a sustainable future,” she added.
Despite being a large ocean state and being surrounded by water, access to clean and safe drinking water continues to be a challenge in Kiribati.
According to Ms Isabella Teuea, less than 15% of the water available in Kiribati is safe for consumption, and is available from three sources – fresh groundwater sources such as wells, rainwater catchments, and the Public Utility Board water supply, which is distributed by the government.
“Our country is very porous, like a sponge. It easily absorbs saltwater, which in turn affects the fresh groundwater, making it unsafe for drinking. The freshwater lens also shrinks during droughts, and when that happens, the water becomes brackish and it cannot be used for cooking or bathing.
This in turn affects our agriculture, as we can’t plant our food without safe water, our sanitation, as well as our health. Kiribati has the highest rate of infant mortality due to the poor quality of drinking water.”
Ms Teuea believes that Kiribati is not the only country experiencing this challenge with accessing clean and safe drinking water, and that it is a challenge that other countries around the globe are also facing.
“This global problem also needs a global solution, and we need youths to be involved in formulating that solution – not only to the issue of accessing safe drinking water, but also to the issue of climate change."
The Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion at COP28 is a Pacific partnership with Aotearoa New Zealand and
Australia managed by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).
The Pavilion was featured at the twenty-eighth Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change hosted in Dubai, UAE from 30 November – 12 December 2023.
To learn more about the Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion please visit: www.sprep.org/moana-blue-pacific/