3.8 - Kiribati

Question 1

What effects is climate change having around Kiribati?

Answer 1

• Increased sea temperatures, leading to:
• eustatic sea level rise
• increased frequency of storms > storm surges
• coral bleaching, weakens reefs that form atolls

Question 2

What is the issue with inundation on Kiribati?

Answer 2

• decreased habitable area
• less area where bwabwai vegetable can grow
• can contaminate freshwater lens

Question 3

Why is bwabwai so important?

Answer 3

• Staple food
• main source of carbohydrates

Question 4

What does coral bleaching do to Kiribati?

Answer 4

• weakens reef surrounding freshwater lens
• means reef is more permeable, thus seawater can more easily contaminate water supply
• weaker reef means atoll is eroded more easily, less inhabitable area

Question 5

What measures has Kiribati taken to combat climate change?

Answer 5

• rebuilding sea walls so that they can protect against the higher projected sea levels
• harvesting water from roofs of homes to reduce dependency on freshwater lens
• bought land from Fiji to ensure in case of migration, land is secured
• reduced imports of western goods, to reduce greenhouse emissions

Question 6

How high is Kiribati?

Answer 6

• 2-3m

Question 7

How high are the winter waves at Kiribati?

Answer 7

• 5-7m

Question 8

How do weather systems play into what happens at Kiribati?

Answer 8

• Low pressure zones are active in area
• results in seawater bulging, increasing local sea level over areas where low pressure systems are present
• results in stronger waves