by Juanita Nonwo – EM TV Online
The obvious effects of sea level rises due to climate change, are becoming more and more evident in most low lying atolls or coral islands in the Pacific.
Kiribati, a front line fighter in the struggle against climate change, had its former president, Ieremia Tabai, calling out to all Kiribati to stand firm as it was not yet time to leave the island because of the rising sea levels.
Tabai, said he is restlessly working on issues such as overpopulation so that Kiribati people don’t have to leave the country.
The former president’s comments came after a Kiribati national was rejected in New Zealand in failing to get climate change refugee status.
Tabai said he understands why people are seeking migration away from Kiribati, but stated that it is the land to which they call home.
“Sure, it’s hard living, it’s a hard place to survive but it’s still a place to belong to and we have to make it work,” said Tabai.
