The devil and the deep blue sea:

Climate change on Kiribati

Tebunginako on the island of Abaiang, Kiribati, shows us what the rest of the South Pacific island state might expect in the future. The population has had to relocate after coastal erosion and rising salt water made their homes and lands uninhabitable. These impacts are already felt on the atolls of Kiribati and will be exacerbated by the effects of climate change. This week, islanders and delegates from other vulnerable nations are hosting a conference calling for urgent action

Much of the Kiribati archipelago lies just a few metres above sea level

Some of the islands that comprise Kiribati: From top Marakei, Abaiang, Tawara, Maiana, Abemana, Kuria, and Aranuka

The island's low topography means the sea could soon reclaim them

These Tebunginako villagers, standing the sea where their village used to be, had to relocate their village because of rising seas and erosion

Tebunginako villagers near a former fresh water lagoon that now is flooded with sea water

Many taro crop pits were inundated with sea water; the roots of the plant are a staple island carbohydrate. This picture shows a healthy taro crop

A taro pit that has been inundated by sea water and rendered useless for growing the crop

Villagers in the newly constructed village of Tebunginako

A man with his daughter in his home in the relocated village of Tebunginako. His home was on a freshwater pond that now is flooded by rising tides and coastal erosion

A freshwater lagoon - now inundated with sea water

A protective sea wall in the village of Tebunginako at high tide 

Coconut trees dying as their fresh water supplies are replaced with seawater. The sea to the right in the picture is the original site of the village

Coconut trees and fish stocks have been destroyed by the rising tides

A baby seabird in its nest in a dead coconut tree