What does sustainability and climate change mean to Kiribati as one of our sinking islands in the world?
Kia ora, Pacific greetings and ko na mauri!
My name is Charles Enoka Kiata, I hail from the sovereign Republic of Kiribati and migrated to New Zealand in 2002. I am married to a beautiful lady from Nikunau, Nei Teeren Tabuarorae and we have six children and five grandchildren. We live in Ranui the best in the west of Auckland. I have been a member of the Pacific Advisory Group of Auckland Museum since 2022.
When we speak about sustainability, we often look at the environment, economic and social aspects and we like to understand what to do and how to manage these areas the way we expect them to be.
In my perspective, it is significant that the environment, economic and social behaviour is not compromised neither being disturbed from external forces due to direct or indirect impacts of climate change.
Climate change affects every aspect of our lives on a global scale. It touches and impacts our environment, society and economy. It challenges our way of lives to a different level that needs a well-planned and coordinated approach with incredible solutions.
According to Kiribati cultural belief and history, our ancestors were great environmentalist and conversative people as being true to their wellbeing and survivals.
Our ancestors acknowledged and respected the atmosphere they breath and lived in, with the sun, moon, stars, clouds and sky to serve as great navigational tools and information. They also acknowledged and respected the lands that provided water and all living creatures to live. They were able to manage and control how much they needed from the ocean and marine resources to provide for human consumption and purposes over centuries and for many generations. Our peoples have been treating the environment with great respects and careful approach as their lives depend upon the airspace, the land and ocean.
In modern days, we see all kinds of problems, damages and pollutions to our environment and ocean depriving the lives our ancestors and peoples once enjoyed and protected. We see alarming evidence of marine lives being poisoned and contaminated. Peoples are now living in a contaminated ocean and air polluted environment and an overpopulated society with economic crisis. The impact of climate change on water sea rising are eminent and threatening. Many small low atoll islands are submerged under water, eroded and disappearing. Many water wells are not drinkable as saltwater seeps through water lenses. Many vegetations have been destroyed and no longer growing.
The future of our people, culture and language is uncertain and at stake due to the impacts of climate change on the lives of our people and wellbeing.
In our cultural context, Kiribati shall rise to protect the environment which includes the airspace (karawa), land (tarawa) and ocean (marawa). These are the three spheres that Nareau the creator of Tungaru (Kiribati) has bestowed upon an IKiribati to live upon in order to compliment his social and economic terms and aspirations.
Yes, we should ensure sustainability when we bring and maintain good balances to protect the livelihood of our economy, social life and of course our environmental wellbeing. In these efforts, we need a lot of people and all voices with all kinds of ideas coming to the table to talk about credible solutions to combat climate change with inspirations and hopes to protect our islands, people, culture, language and the planet we live in.
I like to leave you with one of the Kiribati famous composed songs (waiata) about the iconic bird of Kiribati, the frigate bird. The song is prophesying about the uncertainty of the future due to climate change, water sea rising.
Ko batin rabwa.
Ana bau Kiribati i aora ni kabane are te Mauri, te Raoi ao te Tabomoa
LISTEN TO THE SONG