Geography A-Level: 3.7 - Sea Level Change in Kiribati

Where is Kiribati located?

Kiribati is an island nation located in the Pacific Ocean, located roughly halfway in between Hawaii and Australia, with areas of the country in both the regions of Polynesia and Micronesia.

What is the population of Kiribati?

120,000

Over half of the Kiribatian population live on which atoll?

Tarawa Atoll

How many islands does Kiribati consist of?

33

What is Kiribati's average height above sea level?

2m

In 1999, how many of Kiribati's island vanished due to rising sea levels?

2 (although both of these were uninhabited)

How much has sea level risen around Kiribati each year?

1 to 4mm per year since 1993

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predicts that Kiribati will be completely underwater within how many years?

30

Scientists predict that by 2080, the risk of flooding in Pacific atoll countries is likely to be how many times greater than at the start of the century?

200 times greater

What are some examples of social issues caused by climate change in Kiribati?

A large number of residents may be forced to move in a process known as forced migration.

Sea level rise could increase the incidence of illnesses such as diarrhoea, due to the decreasing size of the freshwater lens.

The decreasing fish biodiversity as a result of ocean acidification will affect subsistence fishers.

What are some examples of economic issues caused by climate change in Kiribati?

The rising sea levels may affect farmland.

Sea level rise poses a large risk to infrastructure in Kiribati, which can be very costly to replace if destroyed.

Climate change may affect human health and productivity, which may have knock-on effects on the employment rate in Kiribati.

As of 2010, what percentage of Kiribati's population were employed in agricultural sectors?

15%

Estimates suggest that Kiribati could lose what percentage of its 1998 GDP by 2050 because of climate change and sea level rise?

34%

What are some examples of environmental issues caused by climate change in Kiribati?

The rising of sea levels is causing soil erosion in Kiribati. The flooding of wetlands and the pollution of aquifers is also a risk, causing the loss of habitat for fish, birds, plants and many other species.

Coral reefs are critical to sustaining atolls and their islands, but very small increases in ocean temperature can destroy coral reefs in a process known as coral bleaching.

What did former president Anote Tong do as an adaptation strategy for sea level change?

He bought a plot of land in Fiji in 2012, which the Kiribatians can move to if their country does become submerged by water.

What has current president Taneti Maamau done to mitigate the impacts of sea level rise?

He has announced that his country will be seeking the support of China as well as other allies to raise the nation's islands in the fight against sea level rise. There are already plans to build up part of Tarawa through dredging.

What else has been done to protect Kiribati from sea level rise?

Due to drought as a result of climate change, as well as sea-water intrusion to sources of drinking water as a result of rising sea levels, water tanks have been implemented in parts of Kiribati.

Mangroves have been planted to help tackle coastal erosion.