Images
This satellite photograph of Tarawa and Maiana Atolls effectively illustrates what a thin strip of land we have to inhabit, with the ocean on one side and the lagoon at our backs. At it's widest point Tarawa is only a few hundred meters across. There is nowhere left to move back to as the sea encroaches more and more on our living space. In most countries people can move inland in response to rising sea levels; inhabitants of atolls do not have this option.
Our atolls lie no more than 2-3 metres above sea level.
(Photograph by Finn Frandsen / Politiken)
On our atolls the dry land between the ocean and the lagoon is often no more than a stone's throw wide.
(Photograph by Finn Frandsen / Politiken)
Our small island paradises are very isolated and completely surrounded by the ocean.
(Photograph by Finn Frandsen / Politiken)
Rising sea levels permeate the water table, killing trees and destroying fresh water wells. Without fresh water life is not possible.
Here is an example where the sea has encroached on an area of land, rendered it uninhabitable and killed the vegetation. When the trees die we lose a much needed source of income and a vital source of food. Most islanders depend on growing their own food crops such as bananas, breadfruit, and papaya. Copra is one of our few major exports accounting for two-thirds of revenue.
Building sea walls and sandbagging are constant activities, but the sea is a powerful and relentless opponent.
Building a sea wall strong enough to withstand the force of the ocean and protect us is a difficult task as sea levels rise faster than predicted and high waves strike more frequently than in the past. Even a wealthy resource-rich country such as the United States failed to keep the sea out of the city of New Orleans and we struggle to cope with the very few resources that we have.
This family are losing their home to the sea.
When tides are high the sea can flood our villages.
The old man and the sea, struggling to save his home.
With nowhere to move to this man struggles to build a sea wall to protect his home and family.
Holding back the sea proved an impossible task even for King Canute and our sea walls only serve to buy us a little extra time.
(Photograph by Finn Frandsen / Politiken)
During intense storms the waves can breach sea walls causing great damage. Rising sea levels are just one side of the story. The increase in extreme and unstable weather patterns including more frequent storms, and high winds also result in higher waves that assault us even when the tides are normally low.
Working to keep the sea out is a constant and unrelenting task for us.
(Photograph by Finn Frandsen / Politiken)
The sea is encroaching on homes but our people have nowhere to retreat to.
(Photograph by Finn Frandsen / Politiken)
Our children face an uncertain future where it is likely that they will be forced to leave their home country.
(Photograph by Finn Frandsen / Politiken)
Our existence has become a fragile one.
(Photograph by Finn Frandsen / Politiken)
What little land we have is being encroached by the sea, its salt water damaging vegetation and our few sources of fresh water on which we rely for survival.
(Photograph by Finn Frandsen / Politiken)
The sea is moving right up into people's homes and they have no high ground or other land to move to.
(Photograph by Finn Frandsen / Politiken)
We work to prepare our children for a future that might be away from Kiribati.
(Photograph by Finn Frandsen / Politiken)
The survival of our precious and unique culture is under threat.
(Photograph by Finn Frandsen / Politiken)
Tomorrows leaders carry with them a sense of our culture while preparing to face a future in another one.
(Photograph by Finn Frandsen / Politiken)
These problems were not of our making, but we face the future with a positive outlook on working to achieve a good outcome for our people, and hope that those industrial nations who have primarily contributed to this situation will accept their responsibility and assist us in meeting the challenges ahead.
