SOLOMON ISLANDS CLIMATE DISPLACEMENT IN LAU LAGOON, . PHOTOGRAPHS BY BENI KNIGHT. Photography Copyright © Beni Knight/Displacement Solutions. Publication Design by Arteria Studio. Published April 2017.

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If you would like to find out how you can help the people of Lau Lagoon in their quest for a brighter future and to keep abreast of developments relating to our Climate Displacement Land Initiative, please feel free to have a look at the Displacement Solutions website: www.displacementsolutions.org or write us at [email protected]

SOLOMON ISLANDS COVER: CLIMATE DISPLACEMENT IN LAU LAGOON, SOLOMON ISLANDS. PHOTOGRAPHS BY BENI KNIGHT. Tauba2 is a classic example of a decaying island; its permanent inhabitants have dwindled to single digits in the last few years. From 2016-2020 Displacement Solutions groundbreaking work on , also slated for relocation due to continually issues and the projected land requirements The landscape is drenched by salt and Using coral from the lagoon floor the seasons increasingly unpredictable. These and the predictable weather that once came is implementing its Climate Displacement which were also spearheaded by Beni. Our worsening conditions. Planned relocation in each country to repair and resolve all sun. The flora is shaped by the easterly wane i asi built the islands piece by piece, circumstances caused the artificial island with them. In July 2015 Cyclone Raquel Land Initiative (CDLI) in five frontline report Climate Displacement in Ontong because of climate change is always manifestations of climate displacement. trade wind. Most homes are still made of just as they continue to be built and of Tauba1 to first submerge completely landed in the Solomon Islands and is the countries presently grappling with the very Java Atoll, Solomon Islands and our film complex and fraught with countless timber and palm fronds. Dugout canoes repaired today. Using larger blocks of underwater during a high tide sometime first recorded cyclone at this time of year real effects of climate change. Building on on the same theme were some of the first challenges, and this is also the case in THE LAU LAGOON negotiate their way throughout the lagoon, coral to establish a perimeter and smaller around 2005. in the Western Pacific. This caught much our more than a decade of field experience efforts to draw international attention to the the Solomon Islands, due to potentially and the continual heat leaves a blanket of crushed pieces to fill the interior, the islands of the Solomon Islands by surprise and Tauba1 is just one of the many islands of the working on climate displacement issues, very dire circumstances facing the 3000 explosive land disputes relating to often Perched on the north-east tip of in humidity that softens the entire scene to rise out of the relatively shallow water to left many villages devastated in its wake. Lau Lagoon, and serves well as an example during the Initiative we are working people who call Ontong Java home. distinct cultural practices between different the Solomon Islands archipelago, the Lau a sun bleached paradise. Combined with form extremely low-lying platforms on The fear of extreme weather events is thus of the common plight of islands in the with groups in Bangladesh, Colombia, groups that will increasingly be forced to Lagoon covers 35 km2 of shallow reef. It a healthy supply of fish and vegetables, which new villages are built. As the seas growing with each passing year. The Solomon Islands is at the frontlines lagoon. There are two tribes that co-exist Fiji, Panama and the Solomon Islands live in close proximity to one another as a is shadowed by the island of Maana‘Oba and plenty of island smiles and laughter, it rise and the storms intensify due to climate- of global climate displacement, with a on Tauba1, as is common throughout the The seasons now cannot be relied upon, to identify areas vulnerable to climate result of climate relocation. in its northern reaches and exposed to the would appear that the islands have a long change, however, the coral used to build growing proportion of the 560,000 people lagoon, and some islands have as many and to people that survive from food they displacement and land sites near these deep Western Pacific Ocean in its central and happy future. these islands is being increasingly torn away who call the country home threatened The government of the Solomon Islands as five different cultural groups. John Kaia harvest daily it makes life particularly threatened areas that could serve as viable and southern parts. Dotted throughout the and returned to the lagoon floor, leaving with involuntary displacement due to the has developed a number of national policies The artificial islands gather as a monument is chief of the Aenabaolo tribe on Tauba1. difficult. John adds, “Climate change relocation sites for communities no longer lagoon are nearly 100 man-made islands of homes unprotected and islands shrinking; consequences of climate change. and plans recognizing the need for the to man’s ingenuity and instinct to survive. He has held the government seat of has not only affected the weather, it able to remain in their current homes. coral that house anywhere from five to 400 to repair them is seemingly just delaying planned relocation of communities affected As the story is mostly told they have been honourable member of the Lau/Baelelea has effected everything, the people, the people each. Increasing numbers of these their inevitable loss. This report focuses on one of the first A series of internal planned relocation by climate change and the acquisition of made by the wane i asi (people of the sea) district, and he commands attention with sea, the land, even the food we eat has islands now lay uninhabited as residents places in the Solomon Islands facing measures have already been undertaken land for this purpose. to evade the mosquitoes and disease of According to locals, the islands were first his calm and thoughtful demeanour. changed, people’s lives have already flee the ever-worsening consequences of climate displacement and the quest to find across the country, with further relocation the mainland, to be closer to the water that conceived and built some 16-18 generations changed so much”. Words like this allude climate-change that are destroying their new land resources for those needing to plans to be implemented in the coming In the Solomon Islands as elsewhere in the provides them fish and, some say, to avoid ago, dating them back to the 17th Century. John is 52 years old and has seen the to a deep connection with the surrounding homes and making island life increasingly move from their present homes. In late five-year period. Most of the relocation world, land is at the heart of rights-based conflict with the wane i tolo (people of the Throughout this time, the islands have climate change dramatically in his life. environment and nature. The thought that unviable. 2016, DS sent photo-journalist Beni Knight undertaken thus far has been in the solutions for climate displaced persons in bush). Though to be fair to the complexities stood strong and continued to increase “Before we used to know the seasons, but one aspect can change without affecting provinces of Malaita and Temotu. the country, and our work examines national now the wind, the rain, the cyclones can to Lau Lagoon on the island of Malaita to Sitting an average of less than one metre of tribal life, not all the islands and their in number, with only maintenance and all others is foreign. John believes that document the challenges facing island land needs assessments for climate respective tribes can be grouped together in occasional repair required. Today the come at any time. We don’t know when. “food grown using fertilisers (due to erratic Low-lying coastal areas on the mainland, above the mean high tide mark, as is the dwellers in the area. displaced communities to determine the their history. Each has its own unique past. islands are dealing with a different set of Cyclones always used to come when the seasons) has been harmful to people’s notably Lilisiana on Harbour, as well case in so many areas decimated by climate likely scale of climate displacement in the Simply to know the inhabitants as wane i asi circumstances that have been brought wind was from the west, now they come health and has changed the lifestyle on as the entire atoll of Ontong Java - which change, the islands have the outward This report builds on earlier efforts of the country, the geographical areas most likely is enough, as it rings a particular truth. about by climate change. The seas are even when the wind is from the east”, he the islands”. John also says that it is even is one of the world’s largest atolls - are appearance of a tropical wonderland. Initiative in the country, most notably our to be affected, the groups working on these rising, the weather is extreme and the says. This refers to the seasonal trade winds dangerous at times for children to attend

4 5 school as they have to paddle/sail to the With nowhere to go they are resigned to to have had to leave their islands even if of Environment, Climate Change Division The work that is required in the Solomon BENI KNIGHT AND mainland and back each day from their the fact that they will have to persevere they are now safe from the sea and close to of the Solomon Islands Government. Islands has been carried out already SCOTT LECKIE islands. “Storms now can happen any day through whatever nature may serve. They their gardens. There is a deep connection According to Malachi the framework is in many countries around the world. and come very quickly. The children must have been allowed for generations to to the islands they still call home and most still in its concept stage and thus has a With access to these programmes and Beni Knight is a photojournalist who works regularly with Displacement Solutions be very careful while in their canoes, if the farm a parcel of land on the mainland, but return at least once a year for Christmas very long road ahead before being put experiences and the agencies involved in climate change hot spots around the world. wind hits their sails hard the canoe can roll have not received permission from the from their new homes on Malaita or in into action. Though the situation is urgent in drafting and implementing them, the over very easily”. These dangers combined customary landowners to build houses so Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands. the scale of the task ahead is daunting Solomon Islands can look to forge their with the worsening conditions on the as to be able to relocate the tribe. This is During the festive season the numbers and requires the cooperation of many and own unique framework based on others Scott Leckie is the Founder and islands is leading the inhabitants to search also a common story throughout the Lau on the islands can quadruple with the tiny varied government agencies, adding to the experience and work, thus expediting Director of Displacement Solutions. for new land on the mainland to settle. Lagoon. With no option of land elsewhere island of Tauba1 estimated to swell from complexity of any possible solution. the process and ensuring a safe and they continue to persevere with the rising 100 to upwards of 400 people at this time. prosperous future for those threatened The Aenabaolo tribe is lucky enough to sea level that consumes their islands at The Solomon Islands government is by climate change and the rising seas. share a parcel of land on the mainland least once a year for the last 10 years or so. The national government has long been not the only one concerned about this with three other tribes. This has seen most aware of the situation of their low-lying issue. The Anglican Church of Melanesia Building national policies around the relocation occur here, but due to a recent Even when land to relocate to is available, islands and their need for relocation. Within (ACOM) has thus far taken the lead in any normative framework developed in land dispute, as is common in the Solomon it is not often without complications on the last year this matter has been pushed adaptation and relocation plans concerning the Peninsula Principles on Climate Islands, all building has been ceased the island of Malaita. The complicated up the political agenda as the situation has the threatened low-lying islands, and has Displacement Within States would appear by court order until there is a decision structure of customary land tenure sees worsened and become critical. Though implemented many programs thus far. to have much to offer the authorities and regarding the matter. Malaita dealing with land disputes on a there is intent from all concerned, there is the citizens of the country. very regular basis, keeping the courts busy still far to go before any relocation plans are ACOM now has the potential to lead a Other islands in the lagoon face different and prolonging the findings to sometimes put into practise, and entire tribes are safely group of concerned parties that include Although planned relocation to the circumstances, some without land to take years. During this time there is no and properly relocated. local and non-local NGO’s and Pacific mainland due to these worsening conditions relocate to at all. One such island is Taluabu, construction allowed and people are left Island church groups. The potential to has been happening for over a decade, a small island consisting of only one tribe uncertain of their futures. There is an urgent need for a national avoid bureaucratic delays involved with there exists today a new urgency. Shortages with around 20 permanent residents. The framework to deal with internal government agencies is the major strength of suitable, available land for relocation people of Taluabu without option of land on Families that have already relocated to the displacement in the Solomon Islands, and to this concept, though their support are leaving the people of the Lau Lagoon the mainland, have become experts at the mainland appear to be content with their the Prime Minster’s office is aware of this. and assistance would bolster any anxious about their future and that of craft of constructing these unique islands. situation there, although they remain sad Malachi Baate is posted in the Ministry potential program. generations to come.

6 7 A precarious existence: At high tide, the islands lay barely above the waterline. During king tides and high wind events, which are becoming increasingly frequent, some islands are completely submerged.

8 9 The Chief of Tauba1, John Kaia, just 52 years old, has weathered many changes to the islands and his people’s way of life since his childhood.

Approaching the island of Tauba1 after sailing from the mainland.

“Out of sight cannot mean out of mind: Sailing from the mainland: canoes are required for the journey to Tauba1, a mid-sized island jointly inhabited by two tribes.”

10 11 Living with rising sea levels is a steep uphill battle. Essential structures such as this outhouse, which is only accessible by bridge, require constant maintenance to support life’s daily needs.

Watching one’s lifelong home become unsustainable is a taxing ordeal which most people of privilege will never have a true understanding. A woman observes the remains of an abandoned island.

12 13 Where there is life, there is hope. The beginnings of a brand new island offer a foundation for the future of those who have no option of relocation to the mainland.

Mangroves are essential in defending against rising seas and erratic weather, but are also often the only source of firewood. Resources are stretched thin, but life must carry on. Children in the distance travel by boat to reach school on the mainland.

14 15 In the wake of a large wind and wave event, ruined homes lay in shambles. Due to the steady erosion of protective mangroves, futile attempts at rebuilding have been foregone.

A sign of steadily changing times: What was once an outhouse is now only of use to birds and sea creatures.

16 17 The structure of an unfinished church sits idle behind a cemetery. As the amount of inhabitable land steadily decreases, tribes are left to dispute ownership; half-completed construction projects inevitably dot the mainland.

Religion plays a central role in islanders’ day-to-day lives, with prayer and devotional rituals providing faith and comfort in trying times.

18 19 Surviving climate change is a laborious effort. This very small and sturdy man-made island in Lau Lagoon is home to just one family, yet requires extensive quantities of natural resources and lifetimes to create and maintain.

20 21 A dense tropical rainstorm impedes daily demands; during the dry season, no less. Uncertainty is the only constant here.

Raised houses have become exceedingly common throughout the islands. This structure on Taluabu Island offers some semblance of security.

22 23 Through trying times, islanders’ smiles remain a genuine constant.

Up is the only way from here: traditional homes are built on stilts to evade rising water levels.

24 25 A bonus of boating home from school: quick swims to beat the oppressive heat.

Brightness must be found wherever possible: children play joyfully inside a disused shop.

26 27 Sailing between islands on traditional dugout canoes with tatty plastic sails. Islanders’ seamanship is strong and remains essential to survival.

28 29 An underwater perspective magnifies the heavy reality of living at the frontlines of runaway climate change.

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