The Pacific Islands in the 21st Century

A DigitalNZ Story by National Library of New Zealand Topics

Climate change and global warming are two of the biggest issues facing Pacific nations. Other issues and initiatives these resources cover include aid, sustainability, cultural and economic progress, self-sufficiency, education, health, security and the retention of culture. SCIS no: 1935814

social_sciences, arts, history, health

Image: Maintaining culture

Maintaining culture

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Hawkey, Allan Charles, 1941- :Kiribati. 9 September 2013

A floating island

Kiribati is a country made up of 33 islands or atolls in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. It is a country most affected by climate change. Already it is being impacted by rising sea levels, increased soil salinity and a depleting freshwater supply. Even the seawalls being built cannot withstand storms or cyclones or ocean surges. Land is already in short supply for the 100,000 plus population living on 800 square kilometres of land. It is reported that the island will be uninhabitable by 2030. Kiribati President Anote Tong has begun exploring options, one of them being the construction of a floating island which he placed before the Pacific Island Forum in 2011.

Hawkey, Allan Charles, 1941- :Kiribati. 9 September 2013

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Fiji

Fiji

National Library of New Zealand

Tabu Tok

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