Kiribati- A Call to the World

Kiribati is a small island near the east coast of Australia that is an example of a country, a land, and a people who are negatively being affected by climate change today. There are many vulnerabilities of the island when it comes to climate change such as water resource security, coasts, food security, health, and biodiversity of organisms. A recent survey of the populace revealed that the majority of the population was scared and/or sad about their future due to climate change. During a conference presentation, after solemn words of fear, citizens of the island of Kiribati shared a tradition they may not have much more time to share, that of dance. Climate change affects us all and the island of Kiribati is an example to all of the urgency that is needed to reach an agreement here at COP15 and reduce CO2 emissions. Without these policies and action, Kiribati will sink into the ocean with the dance of its people never seen nor performed again.