The Climate Change – Conflict Link
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Cultural and National Identity in the Face of Climate Change: A Case Study of I-Kiribati Migrants in New Zealand Ilka Fedor A thesis submitted for the degree of Master of Arts at the University of Otago, Dunedin, Dunedin, New Zealand 2 February 2012 Abstract Low-lying atoll countries are currently amongst the first nations to experience the effects of climate change, such as drought, loss of fresh water, rising sea-levels, coral bleaching and stronger storms. The environmental condition in low-lying Pacific countries such as the Republic of Kiribati is affecting daily life and is leading to a situation where residents may face permanent migration to more hospitable lands. While the link between environmental degradation and conflict remains ambiguous, the possibility of forced migration due to climate change may lead to competition for access to territorial resources belonging to environmentally affected countries. To address the interlacing of human migration and climate change, the present study investigated issues pertaining to the cultural and national identity of Kiribati citizens (known as “I-Kiribati”) living in New Zealand, and their perceptions of whether rising sea-levels threaten their national sovereignty and cultural identity. A literature review and in-depth interviews with I-Kiribati permanent migrants in New Zealand comprise the data of this thesis. Supplementary interviews with non-I-Kiribati individuals (husbands of I-Kiribati migrants and individuals working with Pacifica migrants) were also analysed to give further information on both Kiribati as a culture as well as New Zealand’s immigration practices in relation to Pacifica cultures. This investigation reports two major findings: 1. The I-Kiribati respondents expressed the importance of keeping their cultural traditions and are mindful of the risk of losing their cultural identity through migration. To mitigate this risk, the I-Kiribati interviewees report that they are actively trying hard to teach their traditions to younger generations of I- Kiribati in New Zealand. Respondents also indicated that New Zealand is a hospitable country where migrants feel comfortable practicing their culture and traditions. As such, New Zealand might be a preferred destination for environmental migrants from Pacific Island countries. i 2. Given that I-Kiribati are at risk of losing their maritime territories due to rising sea-levels, Kiribati’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) is particularly at risk of being exploited by interested nations. As such, any future policies created to manage environmental migration might be influenced by the interest of powerful nations that may create policies with their own national interests in mind. In conclusion, if environmental migration is not managed in a manner that values the culture, human rights, and environment of those affected, the potential for conflict might increase. Therefore, the policies that are created today will shape the future consequences for vulnerable populations such as those from Pacific Island countries like Kiribati. ii Acknowledgements This year and research has been enriched by the following people, whom I would like to give a heartfelt thank you, though words simply don’t seem enough. Firstly, this thesis wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for the time given to me by my participants, so thank you very much to all of those who I interviewed, especially Maria, Hegnes and Keith, the South Island Kiribati community, the staff at the Marlborough Migrant Centre, and my anonymous participants. An extra-special thank you to Dr. Karen Brounéus for her inspiring and insightful comments, and hard-work in supervising me. I always left supervisory meeting feeling focused and motivated, and without that, I’m not sure that I would have finished this thesis on time, and without stress like I have. Thank you to the National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies (NCPACS), and especially Professor Kevin Clements for his support on my project and the ideas that shaped the initial formation of this work. To Dr. Isak Svensson, thank you for the brilliant comments that inspired the creation of Figure 4. Thank you to all the NCPACS students for your helpful comments and interest in my work, especially Audrey Wong for helping me initiate contact with the Kiribati community. Thank you to the University of Otago for awarding me the Research Master’s Scholarship that facilitated my research throughout this year. Any mistakes in my research are my own, and not a reflection of the advice and direction provide to me by my research participants or the staff at the University of Otago. Thank you so much to Dr. Elspeth Macdonald and David Cregan, for your invaluable assistance with my research, but more importantly, for your friendship, support and life-advice, coffees, dinners, hiking, and laughs. Thank you to all the staff at the Education and Resource Centre building for kindly sharing their office space with us, and for putting up with our laughter and general noisiness. A special thank you to Nola and Diane for keeping us well fed throughout the year. To Helen Wright and family: thank you, thank you, thank you! You’ve shared your home, meals, and time with me throughout your very difficult and emotional year, and I sincerely thank you for that. iii And to my family: Mum, Paul, Sandra, Julien, Nat and Emily, thank you for your unending support. Especially thank you for the love you showed me last time I visited, without which I wouldn’t have had the strength to even start this project in the first place. To the Tagg family: Adrienne, Stewart, Thomas and Gemma. Thank you a million times over for your friendship, generosity, and all the laughs, movies, baby cuddles, food, and for generally being the best flatties I could ever dream of! Ebony, thank you for your friendship, and the café dates we shared to air our frustrations throughout this year. Thank you to my office mates, Liesel, Rachel, Paul and Stumpy: Thank you for making every day exciting and fun! I sincerely thank you for your support, and shared love of laughing, chatting, singing, banana-dancing, snacking, and bird watching. And a very special final thank you to my dearest friends Ariel, Deirdre and Freddie. Since my undergrad years, I’ve been extremely fortunate to have the friendship and love of these three amazing women. Thank you for the incredible amount of support and love you’ve given me throughout the years. iv Table of Contents Abstract ............................................................................................................................... i Acknowledgements .......................................................................................................... iii Table of Contents .............................................................................................................. v List of Figures ................................................................................................................. vii List of Acronyms ........................................................................................................... viii I. Overview of Thesis Purpose ...................................................................... ix II. Research Question ..................................................................................... ix III. Assumptions ................................................................................................ x IV. Thesis Structure and Chapter Summaries ................................................. xi Chapter 1: Literature Review ...................................................................................... 1 1.1 Theoretical Background: Conflict and the Environment .................................... 2 1.1.1 Theories of Environment and Conflict Linkages ........................................ 2 1.2 The Great Debate on Climate Change .............................................................. 12 1.3 Climate Change in Low-Lying Atoll States ..................................................... 18 1.4 Climate Change Adaptation and Migration ...................................................... 22 1.5 Migration Psychology Theories ....................................................................... 24 1.5.1 Acculturation Outcomes ........................................................................... 25 1.6 Migration and Culture ...................................................................................... 27 1.6.1 Cultural Identity ....................................................................................... 28 1.6.2 Cultural Bereavement ............................................................................... 29 1.7 Conclusion: Gap in Peace and Conflict Research ............................................ 30 Chapter 2: Methods and Research Design ............................................................... 33 2.1 Methodology .................................................................................................... 34 2.2 Research Procedures ......................................................................................... 35 2.3 Selection of Participants ................................................................................... 35 2.4 Strengths and Limitations of the Research ....................................................... 37 2.5 Methods of Data Analysis ................................................................................ 39 2.6 Conclusion .......................................................................................................