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Please direct all questions to [email protected] Hayden Schutt Co-Chair

Hello Delegates,

Welcome to AmeriMUNC and the committee! My name is Hayden Schutt, and I will be one of your co-chairs this session. Abby and I are so excited to meet all of you and to get started! Whether this is your first conference or last, I completely understand all of the emotions that can go along with stepping into a new environment or saying goodbye to something that has been very impactful on your life.

I am a freshman here at American University and am currently pursuing a major in CLEG (Communications, Economics, Law, and Government). I call Minnesota my home, so please feel free to laugh or acknowledge my accent that becomes present whenever I say words with“long vowel” sounds (*Bagel, Bag, *Minnesota, etc.)! While in high school back in MN, I was heavily involved in the YMCA’s Youth in Government program. As a senior, I served as the YMCA’s Youth Governor for their Minnesota program and attended many state and national conferences. Government is one of my passions, and I am looking forward to going back to Model United Nations with all of you!

Throughout this conference, I encourage you to step outside of your comfort zone and challenge yourself. This could be anything from making a new friend, including someone in your conversation, or speaking up more in committee! AmeriMUNC works best when everyone is prepared to participate and have fun! Please be respectful, engaged, and kind in every situation and interaction you encounter during this conference! Please feel free to reach out to Abby or me if you have any questions or need advice!

Best,

Hayden Schutt Co-Chair | [email protected] Abby Grifno Co-Chair

Hello Delegates,

I am so excited that you all will be participating in this Crisis Committee. I believe that and the problems relating to it will only become more relevant, and learning about this unique and urgent situation will be extremely beneficial. I hope you all enjoy your conference and feel comfortable getting to know me as one of your Chairs. The goal of our committee is to become more informed on the Kiribati situation and be comfortable analyzing it from multiple angles so that we can come to lasting solutions. Furthermore, I hope involvement in this crisis committee can add to your overall experience in high school MUN and can aid you in learning about climate change and social justice issues. This will be my first time chairing a high school conference and I am beyond excited. I have been involved in Model UN since my freshman year in high school and have grown to love it more and more, now competing on the collegiate level. If any of you have questions regarding MUN in college, please feel free to talk to me. I am majoring in International Studies and am always open to discussing politics and current events. If you have question about International Studies at American, please feel free to reach out to me. I encourage you to use this background guide as a starting point and to learn more information about your actor’s unique position and goals. I hope you all have a wonderful experience this AmeriMUNC, and if there is anything I can to do to further contribute to your experience, please let me know, Sincerely,

Abby Grifno Co-Chair | [email protected] KIRIBATI EVACUATION FORCE 01 KIRIBATI EVACUATION FORCE

ABOUT KIRIBATI

From July 2015 to April 2016, Kiritimati, or Christmas Island, lost 80% of its coral due to a devastating process of climate change called coral bleaching. This is the longest stretch of coral bleaching to occur on any single reef.

Environmental Changes: Land apparent, there are many issues Biodiversity with the rising sea levels and effects of “A day waiting is a day too climate change on the islands of Kiribati many,” spoke Kiribati president Taneti that this committee must take into Mamau. The urgency here is centered account before looking at options for around the impending rise in sea levels evacuation. If there is a chance to due to climate change. This impede the destruction of Kiribati on environmental disaster is decreasing any scale, it is this committee’s Kiribati’s coastlines and therefore responsibility to follow those avenues increasing the chance of an entire before the worst case scenario plays island-state being drowned. Kiribati out. consists of 33 islands made of coral From July 2015 to April 2016, detritus, or atolls, but its total Kiritimati, or Christmas Island, lost 80% decreasing land mass is only 309 of its coral due to a devastating process square miles - roughly the entire area of of climate change called coral New York City - and decreasing bleaching. This is the longest stretch of incrementally. The islands are only coral bleaching to occur on any single about 3 to 4 meters above sea level, so reef, and since Kiribati is a cluster of the 114,395 I-Kiribati (pronounced coral islands, this phenomenon does ee-kiribati) who currently live there are not stop at the coasts of Christmas in great danger of losing their homes. Island. Corals undergo bleaching when Moreover, for a country that so heavily unusually hot water alter the symbiotic relies on fish and fruit such as coconut algae that live inside corals’ tissue, for exports and sustenance, the threats causing them to become toxic and to biodiversity on land and in the sea become a major cause in the through coral reefs affect the very disappearance of coral reefs across the livelihood of the I-Kiribati. As is 02 03 KIRIBATI EVACUATION FORCE

world. The latest culprit was El Niño, a Tamana island has seen an eighth of its series of complex weather patterns that population of about 850 people sustain occur between every two to seven property damage or losing their house years that, that, in 2016, pushed altogether. temperatures in the Pacific ocean Coastal erosion is also difficult to enough above average to yield a eliminate` in the short-term since it is massive bleaching of coral reefs in predominantly based on uncontrollable Oceana, including Kiribati’s. weather patterns. Scholars often look at In 2013, Kiribati exported $84.75 ways to rebuild land or divert and break millions worth of fish and coconut up the waves away from endangered products, and the loss of their coral coral reefs. Development in reefs, a major source of the former, will island-states like Kiribati cannot in turn greatly stunt the economy of a exclude coastal processes since the reliant market. While El Niño is a natural idea of building new infrastructure is process, there are ways to hinder its moot without a literal foundation to effects. Scientists support it. Investments in advocate for researching Moreover, new technology to new ways to make coral decrease the power and more resistant to flooding frequency of these waves bleaching. Governments has caused should also be looked at. should also condemn I-Kiribati to Sustainable overfishing as Development Goal (SDG) 15 decreasing populations move is devoted to “protect, that are being constantly inward… restore and promote fished have less chance sustainable use of terrestrial of reproduction, leading ecosystems, sustainably to their extinction. manage forests, combat Not only are rising sea levels desertification, and halt and reverse an issue for Kiribati, but the land degradation and halt biodiversity consequent height increase and loss.” Kiribati, which has faced a frequency of waves have led to land decrease in livable water habitats, land erosion on the atolls. This has lead habitats, and the food available in those to plots of land being destroyed, and areas, needs efforts from SDG 15 to coconut trees, papaya trees, and protect its waning biodiversity. This is other vegetation used for caused by human-induced issues such sustenance and exports are as climate change, overexploitation, rendered useless. Moreover, pollution, land use change, and flooding has caused I-Kiribati to invasive alien species coming to the move inward, increasing population island. Kiribati’s most recent legislation density which in turn creates a to protect its biodiversity is reflected in myriad of other problems connected the Environment (Amendment) Act of to rapidly forced migration. As of 2007, but there is no adequate 2015, more than 2.9 meters flooded explanation of how to prevent it more lower Kiribati islands, and it is than a why. There is no major attention predicted that the flooding will be by biologists towards the threat to increasing in the coming years. wildlife in Kiribati, and no large-scale projects 04

have been implemented. which is quickly displacing citizens and The rising of sea levels is not a deeply hurting their developing single-variable issue to Kiribati. The economy, are widely disputed. This encroachment of water on these coral committee must act quickly and shores do not only affect those living on thoroughly to ensure that the the 33 small clusters of islands. As seen degradation of Kiribati is either in these case studies, humans, flora, mitigated and further prevented, or that and fauna are threatened. An entire Kiribati residents have a place to ecosystem ranging from I-Kiribati to potential flee when needed. coconuts to turtles are forcefully trying Kiribati’s issues range from to adapt to a way of life that is economic problems to political uncertain, and therefore, acclamation tensions, all becoming increasingly and rebuilding currently have no place obvious as they struggle to find in Kiribati. These issues are intertwined. solutions to the environmental Fixing the ecology of the corals can, destruction they currently face. when done correctly, fix the issues of Disappearing land is mostly attributed the coastline, but the concept of to coastal erosion or the process of efficiency and timeliness looms over sediments or bedrock being removed the heads of the small few who are from the shoreline as water pushes currently tackling these projects. against it. Coastal erosion can either be rapid, caused by extreme weather Subtopic 2: Land Biodiversity events such as tsunamis, or slow, Kiribati is facing an extreme occurring over many years. Kiribati crisis that mandates immediate and faces both, particularly as the more the direct attention. Yet, mechanisms of coast erodes, the more vulnerable it solving the erosion of their island, becomes to weather fluctuations. Some 05 KIRIBATI EVACUATION FORCE

amount of coastal erosion is against the rising waters. The new inevitable and can be seen in many president, , is further other countries, such as , who pushing away from Tong’s goals and have created man-made islands to help looking to shift priorities, namely to offset the effects. Coastal erosion, economic development. While this however, is also impacted by human could help with the long-term problems activity. High levels of waste and a Kiribati faces, it could be potentially strong focus on irrigation and farming detrimental to the time frame the can increase the rate that coastal country has to prevent atrocity. erosion occurs, and both are more likely to occur in countries with With a country divided, the UN developing economies, such as Kiribati. must take a stance on the This makes the crisis of Kiribati environmental crisis, or else countries particularly unique and harmful; not will continue operating solely in their only are facing increasing coastal own interest. There is currently no erosion from natural causes, but they universal definition of climate refugees, also lack the developmental ability to which continues to be a problem for decrease activities that contribute to citizens of Kiribati seeking refugee coastal erosion. Developing an status. This problem becomes international strategy to combat coastal increasingly urgent as Kiribati faces erosion may be Kiribati’s only hope, as ever-increasing environmental they do not have the financial problems, such as the increasing rates resources to prevent it at this time. of hurricanes. However, this is not only relevant to Kiribati, as nations around Former president the world also land disappear. The UN focused heavily on “migration with must come to solutions for Kiribati, as dignity,” by pressing citizens to search these could potentially shape the for jobs abroad, but many in Kiribati find global reaction and response to climate their skills becoming obsolete in most change elsewhere. desirable countries. Kiribati’s economy is primarily driven via agriculture and Many of the climate change the cultivation of other natural issues nations like Kiribati see are not resources, and they are heavily reliant solely due to Kiribati’s actions and upon developmental aid. Yet this aid natural erosion. Most of the devastating has been cited as being to insignificant effects can be attributed to the global to overcome Kiribati’s coastal erosion north’s stance on climate-related issues problems. For instance, China was able and the greenhouse gases they emit, to build artificial islands, and other which have significant effects on countries have successfully built sea Kiribati. Decisions such as the Kyoto walls, but Kiribati simply does not have Protocol have been important to help the funds for these endeavors to be reduce the emissions other nations are successful enough in the timeframe creating, but this stance alone may not needed. Furthermore, climate denial is be enough for Kiribati, and the extremely prevalent among Kiribati committee should discuss what else the residents itself, many citing religious global north should consider doing to beliefs as preventing them from wishing prevent climate change that affects the to move or take other steps south. 06

Delegates should focus on change must be accounted for, or any overarching solutions that can quickly action may receive significant backlash provide relief to individuals in Kiribati from climate change deniers, and that are capable of setting a global decreasing the likelihood of politicians precedent on the issues Kiribati is taking actions to prevent further climate facing. While the immediacy of erosion. environmental problems must be at the Other countries have created forefront of any discussion, it is artificial islands, bought land to which imperative to analyze the situation from they can relocate citizens, and focused economic and political perspectives on creating sea walls to prevent further and consider past and current solutions degradation. The committee should that are being utilized. One should consider if these, or other potential consider how changes in leadership responses could be viable, and if so, can affect an ongoing problem. how they will be funded. A potential Specifically, Tong was only allowed to response could be contributing directly remain in office for three terms, which is to the needs of Kiribati individuals, but an insufficient amount of time to make others believe the solution lies in all changes necessary to save Kiribati. helping Kiribati citizens through Similarly, all political leaders are more education and other socio-economic motivated to see short-term results, and reforms that could make it easier for the endurance solving climate change them to move abroad. Finally, a requires, such as spending more consensus needs to be found on the money in the short-term, can seem crisis Kiribati is facing that can be undesirable to many political leaders as recognized globally, so that if Kiribati it may create backlash. Furthermore, residents are one day forced to views of climate 07 KIRIBATI EVACUATION FORCE evacuate, they can claim some sort of order to clean up Kiribati’s beaches and refugee status. provide better sanitation. The citizens of Kiribati, especially, small children, should The Chair hopes that the not have to choose between suffering committee can come to a solution that from dehydration or risking a bacterial can provide Kiribati citizens some relief infection. This committee must search for for their own livelihood and the future of an affordable, feasible, and safe solution their children. The Chair further hopes in order to lower disease rates due to the that whatever action the committee lack of hygiene and adequate sanitation decides to take can be one that is in Kiribati. employable in future emergency While this may seem like a situations and can set a precedent problem with a common-sense solution, everywhere. many experts and government officials Sanitation are concerned about funding and its effect on Kiribati’s economy. In order to The nation of Kiribati struggles supply funding for sanitation with numerous environmental issues. improvements, officials have suggested One of the issues plaguing this small raising utility rates on local households or nation is the lack of proper sanitation. increasing the household welfare. A Poor hygiene and sanitation is affecting unique solution that is affordable to the Kiribati's infant and child mortality rates. consumer and feasible for the Struggling with increasing reports of government must be found. Perhaps the illness, economic funding, and education government of Kiribati should create on hygiene, Kiribati’s sanitation problem educational awareness programs in order has become a complex problem. The to improve hygiene on its islands and United Nations and more importantly this invest funds into high levels of sanitation commit must solve this nation’s “Rubix investment. Many wonder whether an cube” of problems before it is too late for increase in community tariffs or the future of Kiribati. international aid would be more Many nations in the world take beneficial to the Kiribati sanitation crisis. basic sanitation and plumbing for The government must find a balance in granted. Kiribati is lacking safe drinking its spending on maintenance reform and well water, access to flushable toilets, educational awareness. and fundamental maintenance The Chair recommends delegates operations. In rural areas of the island to use academic resources and create nation, beaches and ocean access are unique solutions to attack this complex used for defection purposes. This has problem. Delegates should research if dramatically increased the level of any other nations have had a similar water-borne diseases in young people. issue and if a resolution was successfully People living near the shore suffer created to solve their problem. Delegates diarrhea, dysentery, and other bacterial should consider international infections. interventions, governmental reforms on The United Nations (U.N.) believes Kiribati, and affordable sanitation access to fresh potable water is a basic infrastructure as specific topics to human right. Experts from the U.N. examine while creating a resolution to believe Kiribati’s government must assign Kiribati's sanitation problem. a maintenance task force in 08

Starting in 2011, 5.6 million Syrians have left their home country and 6.3 million remain displaced internally

Climate Refugees: Global Reaction & those by the Intergovernmental Panel Gaining Refugee Status on Climate Change stating that by The current Syrian Civil War has 2030, global warming could hit 1.5 been labeled as the worst refugee crisis degrees Celsius at the current rate, since World War II. Starting in 2011, 5.6 causing 90% of coral reefs to die, a million Syrians have left their home great rise in sea levels, and key crop country and 6.3 million remain yields to drop. With this, the displaced internally. Due to this intersection between migration and tragedy, organizations such as the climate change have become clearer, United Nations and countries have had and countries must prepare for an influx to return to the conversation of of climate refugees as sea levels rise refugees and asylum seekers and what and displace citizens such as those of it means for the future of that escaping Kiribati. persecution and the citizens who The conversation on climate remain oceans separated from refugees has been relatively new, and President Bashar al-Assad. Within this therefore, the United Nations has group of refugees are environmental forgone defining the phenomenon. In migrants, also known as climate fact, the United Nations Council on refugees, which has been defined by Human Rights (UNHCR), the UN’s Fabrice Renaud, et. al of the Berlin leading organization in refugee Institute as someone who “has to leave research and rights, has excluded his/her place of normal residence environmental reasonings from their because of an environmental stressor.” definition of both refugees - “someone There have been increasing who has been forced to flee his or her conversations about the effects of country because of persecution, war or climate change and reports such as violence” - and asylum-seekers - 09 KIRIBATI EVACUATION FORCE

someone who flees based on “fear of financial means. On a political scale, persecution in his or her home country” more than 90% of Fijians don’t believe - entirely. Finding the perfect the government has a responsibility to terminology for a climate refugee is a support the migrants since land and foundational step to addressing the jobs are already constrained for the problem of their rapid migration, but the citizens of themselves. Therefore, academic community has struggled to those on threatened islands such as produce a comprehensive description Kiribati are hesitant to move of environmental migrants due to the somewhere they know they will be intricate nuances between the causes seen as enemies and the guarantee of for that migration. Researcher Jodi L. their wellbeing is slim. Jacobson identified three different New Zealand, one of the types of environmental migrants such economic powerhouses of the Pacific, as those displaced temporarily due to has responded to the influx of climate local disruption such as an avalanche, refugees by considering placing climate those who emigrate because of change refugee visas. New Zealand long-term health-damaging would be the first country to enact, or environmental degradation, and those even propose, such legislation and who resettle because land degradation would allow those escaping the has rendered their lives as unlivable destruction of their land due to climate such as Kiribati. change legal refugee status in New In Kiribati, migration has already Zealand. This project comes after New started as a result of the disastrous Zealand denied visas for two families effects of climate change and rising sea from Tuvalu because their reason for levels. United Nations University, a fleeing was due to fear of persecution research branch of the UN, has studied based on race, religion, nationality, or the migration patterns of oceanic by membership of a certain party as countries such as Kiribati and Tuvalu labeled under UNHCR’s 1951 claiming that in 2015, the migration trips Convention and Protocol Relating to within Kiribati will double by 35% by the Status of Refugees. 2055 and the population will increase The United Nations has ignored by 70%, only exacerbating the issue. the issue of climate refugees and The report states that the majority of climate change in the Pacific in pursuit refugees - 63% - are traveling to Fiji and of other issues. In September of 2017, 29% are traveling to New Zealand. Kiribati President Taneti Maamau told Moreover, while most of the migrants the United Nations that human life is are not yet moving for environmental more important than “dollar value.” The reasons, it is the second stressor with Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands, an ever closing margin as these issues also an island state facing the exacerbate. Fiji is having trouble with pressures of climate change, also this intake of refugees as 90% of their spoke to the United Nations saying that land is owned by groups rather than an unstable climate has blatant individuals, meaning it can’t be bought. consequences to other drivers of In Fiji, there is simply not enough conflict such as migration and available land for an influx of migrants competition for resources. He says, even assuming the I-Kiribati have the “these are threats to the very existence 10

of humanity and could very well morph possible. There is no panacea. into threats to global peace and Migration has always been more than security,” adding that the Security just a humanitarian crisis. Politics, Council must address the issues of economics, and social ideologies are climate change and migration in the not exempt from their role. And Pacific. In order to fix this issue, a environmental degradation stokes the committee must first set the framework. fire more. There can be no sufficient action to remedy migratory pressure if the Displacement and Mobilization international community does not have Process a unanimous and holistic definition to For Pacific Island nations such as work off of. From there, there are many Kiribati, the rising sea levels are avenues to explore real-world inevitable and it will be likely that all applications. Most citizens of Kiribati Kiribati citizens will one day be forced hold the West accountable for their to leave. Yet, in the meantime many are impending destruction as the United choosing to stay for a myriad of States is seen as a major perpetrator of reasons that are important for the carbon emissions (the US produces committee to discuss. First, it is over 25% of the world’s carbon important to understand the current emission count). Some citizens have status of Kiribati residents, which hope that the global community can consists of a large number of find a way to let them stay on their individuals choosing to stay and leave. islands, but others have lost their Due to the high magnitude of residents optimism and replaced it for a wish to choosing to stay in Kiribati, it is critical move and for international assistance in to understand the reasoning and making that move as seamless as implications of voluntary 11 KIRIBATI EVACUATION FORCE

immobilization. Finally, it is also relocate citizens to countries such as important to recognize the economic New Zealand . Both of these decisions positioning in Kiribati, as well as their were part of Kiribati’s Migration with goals, which impacts both the outcome Dignity Movement, which aimed to of those who stand and affects Kiribati increase migration overtime in a way residents in other countries, should that provided Kiribati residents they choose to migrate. As Kiribati autonomy on deciding when to move, faces waters getting closer and closer and shied away from stigma created inward, residents are seeing population from processes involved in gaining densities further increase, as well as climate refugee status. Currently, shortages of resources. Due to this, it is however, Maamau is focusing on overwhelmingly important to increasing Kiribati’s economy and understand the underlying struggles infrastructure. He hopes that by behind individuals of Kiribati choosing increasing access to education and to leave or remain, and the current tourism, Kiribati will be strong enough policies that promote or oppose those to overcome the climate change issues decisions. posed for longer than believed. Kiribati has been facing rising Maamau’s reasoning is based on the waters for years, but only recently has it failing efforts of climate adaptation, been gaining international attention. based primarily on a shortage of Kiribati has one of the smallest carbon resources, that could potentially be footprints in the world, yet is expected bettered with increased funding. Yet, to be uninhabitable by 2050 due to with such a close time-frame for Kiribati, climate change. Kiribati gained it is difficult to know whether or not independence from Britain in 1970, with Maamau’s plan will have the desired an extremely high population density impacts. level. As a largely agriculturally-based Furthermore, Maamau’s plan economy, Kiribati is no stranger to may also be based upon the large land-shortages and overpopulation. amount of residents who wish to stay in Thus, they are largely reliant on aid Kiribati for as long as possible. It is from foreign nations, increasingly so as important to remain cognizant of how their land continues to disappear. While many indigenous people have strong past , Anote Tong, cultural ties to their land. Many Kiribati rang alarm bells signalling the need for residents’ religious disposition also Kiribati to gain international attention, leads them to believe that divine current president Taneti Maamau has intervention has led to Kiribati’s climate taken Kiribati in a drastically different problems, and thus it would be unwise direction .Tong focused largely on for them to attempt to avoid them. adaptation strategies, such as building While many individuals see migration and maintaining sea-walls, which as the ultimate end point of Kiribati’s Maamau also focuses on, but also crisis, it is important to make sure that focused on creating migration all solutions take into account Kiribati’s strategies which Maamau has shied social ties and institutions. Solutions away from. For instance, a small part of that do not take this into account may Fiji was purchased under Tong for be viewed as eurocentric or simply be relocation, as well as measures to ineffective. Since 2010, over $476 12

billion, in US dollars, has been high displacement are vast and contributed to rising sea levels, complex, but it is important to focus on committed by the Adaptation Fund, the current political position of Kiribati, which is largely funded by European the societal push and pull factors, and nations. A concern of this is that it the economic motivations that could forces Kiribati and other nations in prevent, or one day encourage, the similar positions to have their migration of residents out of Kiribati. adaptation decisions reliant on the This committee must be able to act global view. If, for instance, contributors quickly and understand that decisions decide the fight for adaptation is no made will undoubtedly set a global longer worthwhile, Kiribati could see a precedent on how future climate huge reduction in funds. change issues will be handled. It is Finally, Kiribati’s issue of important to be understanding that displacement can be seen as largely even if a solution seems to be most economical. Many Kiribati residents logical and feasible, the strong cultural believe that their job skill-set will not and religious ties to the land could be a make them competitive in other lasting barrier. Nevertheless, this markets, were they to migrate. Some of committee must be dedicated to the issues Kiribati citizens face when providing solutions that maintain attempting to live in other countries cultural identity and solve for the ever come from language barriers, increasing displacement. non-transferable job skills, and discrimination. These factors, among others, means many Kiribati citizens will Overcrowding & Increasing Population face extreme uncertainty in their new place of residence, risking extreme Rising tides can and have been poverty. Current president Maamau devastating to even wealthy countries, but for countries who do not have hopes to challenge this by encouraging strong economies, changing climate the development of new, transferable can make a desperate situation much skills. Yet, with such limited funds worse. Raimonda Murmokaite, a available, it is hard to know whether or Lithuania diplomate, described climate not Maamau will be successful. change as a “threat multiplier” that Furthermore, Maamau hopes to raise could especially disrupt small the economy with increasing coconut island-nations such as Kiribati. Thus, it exports and tourism, but neither policy is important to understand that climate proposals may be adequate under the change works in conjunction with a time constraints. Maamau hopes that if large range of other issues. For Kiribati, Kiribati’s standard of living is able to be many of these are economic and have raised, not only will more funds be able created an unstable regime, where to be allocated to education, but more climate change could be the law straw. funds will also be added to adaptation It is extremely important for a strategies. This could potentially deter committee to be able to come to the onset of uninhabitability, by solutions that are driven by knowledge providing better sea walls and other of the local economy, with an emphasis adaptive measures. on what past policies have failed or The issues causing Kiribati’s 13 KIRIBATI EVACUATION FORCE

succeeded, how economic downturn not until recently been focused on could hinder other successes, and what technological development, instead Kiribati’s current economic goals are. choosing to endorse aspects of “the With this knowledge, it may be easier to simple life,” revolving around come to conclusions on what course of community growth and religion. The action Kiribati is correctly taking, and result is that Kiribati lacks a large what must be changed to ensure amount of sanitation and is prone to the survival, and hopefully economic spread of disease. Kiribati also has renewal. weak infrastructure, forcing their economy to be focused on the Kiribati became independent aforementioned fishing and agricultural from Britain in 1970, allowing them to industry. With an inability to diversify be able to celebrate their own culture. their economy, they struggle with Alongside this came a population resolving many of the problems that boom, which due to islands small size, come from an increased population meant crowded streets and busy stores density. soon became the norm for Kiribati residents. Recently, Kiribati population Their poor economy, and the has pushed upwards to 10,000 people problems that come with it, have per square kilometer. While the greatly exacerbated the climate change population boom played an inevitable issues Kiribati residents face. Their role, rising sea waters has also meant precarious economy means that many that individuals have had to push of the climate change adaptation inwards, making cities increasingly measures that exist in the world today dense. Kiribati is mostly a farming and are still inaccessible to them. For fishing community, and therefore has instance, Kiribati has invested in 14

seawalls in the past, but their effort has infrastructure . If he is successful, it been futile . Sea walls have either could mean that Kiribati has more funds collapsed due to being built poorly or to go towards their climate adaptation simply force water to wash up onto strategy, be that buying more land from areas that are not protected by other areas, investing in better sea seawalls. Perhaps seawalls could be walls, or in artificial islands. successful in Kiribati if there were able Furthermore, it could mean that if to be placed all around the nation, but forced to leave, Kiribati residents could they have not attempted to do so. While be better able to find jobs wherever this is largely due to the economy, it is they go, as they will have better important to note that a large amount of education and could be more suitable people in Kiribati, some speculating to jobs that are not agriculturally based. even their current president Taneti Yet with many criticisms against Maamau, are climate deniers. This is Maamau that he ultimately plans to mostly due to Kiribati people having ignore the Kiribati crisis, it is unforeseen strong religious beliefs, as well not whether or not an improved economy being responsible for the climate would be Kiribati’s saving grace. change they are seeing. Nevertheless, Furthermore, with Kiribati quickly losing it is important to note that even if land, it is unknown if there is even Kiribati had enough money to have enough time for Maamau’s plans to better adaptive strategies, many come to fruition. individuals in Kiribati may not necessarily be inclined to use those It is undeniable that Kiribati has funds for adaptive strategies. many tough decisions and times ahead of them, and many of these decisions In fact, Kiribati’s current will revolve around how the choose to economic policy, and its relationship to change or work with their economy. their crisis, has significantly changed The committee should consider ways with the coming of new president that the economy could be bettered Maamau. Prior president Anote Tong while maintaining an understanding of began the process of climate why Kiribati citizens may hold so tightly adaptation and “migration with dignity” to their current way of life. It is which attempted to have Kiribati imperative to acknowledge the way citizens slowly leave Kiribati over time, that past policies, such as Tong’s, have as they were able to. Tong also differed from Maamau’s, which can successfully began to bring climate reveal what policies may be best suited change to the forefront of global for Kiribati people. Finally, it is politics by bringing attention to the necessary to consider what is and is Kiribati crisis. However, the new not feasible for Kiribati at time when president has different goals in mind. their economy is struggling and their Maamau has initiated the project time is short. Kiribati Vision 20, where he attempts to enliven the economy through tourism, fishing, and the exportation of coconuts. He hopes to redirect the funds gained into increasing the standard of living and bettering 15 KIRIBATI EVACUATION FORCE

Sources: BBC News, “Kiribati island: Sinking into the sea?” BBC News, Nov. 25th, 2013 Australian Government “Coast Erosion” Australian https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-2508696 Government, Geoscience ND 3 http://www.ga.gov.au/scientific-topics/hazards/coastalerosio n Duhaime-Ross, Arielle, “The tiny nation of Kiribati will soon be underwater--here’s the plan to save its people” Vice Ives, Mike “A Remote Pacific Nation, Threatened by Rising News Sep 22, 2106 Sea” The New York Times, Jul 2nd, 2016 https://news.vice.com/en_us/article/a39m7k/doomed-by-cli https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/03/world/asia/climate-ch mate-change-kiribati-wants-migration-with-dignity ange-kiribati.html Farbotko, Carol, “No Retreat: Climate Change and Office of the President Republic of Kiribati, “Coastal Voluntary Immobility in the Pacific Islands” Migration Erosion” Office of the President Republic of Kiribati ND Policy Institute Jun 13th, 2018 http://www.climate.gov.ki/category/effects/coastal-erosion/ https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/no-retreat-climate-c hange-and-voluntary-immobility-pacific-islands The UN Security Council “Issues Facing Small Island Developing States ‘Global Challenges’ Demanding Rytz, Matthew, “Sinking Islands, Floating Nation” The New Collective Responsibility, Secretary General Tells Council” York Times Jan. 24th, 2018 The UN Security Council Jul. 30th, 2015 https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/24/opinion/kiribati-climat https://www.un.org/press/en/2015/sc11991.doc.htm e-change.html

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