Kiribati and climate change | DW Documentary

Kiribati could soon become uninhabitable due to climate change. Residents are using all available means to protect themselves from rising sea levels.

In Kiribati, residents are building walls to protect their homes from rising sea levels – which worked well for a long time. But the high tides are getting more extreme, resulting in what they call ‘king tides.’ Now, walls are no longer a permanent solution. So how can Kiribati be saved? There have been discussions of an artificial replacement island or filling in some of the 33 islands. But, even though the disaster has been looming for years, these solutions are only theoretical. And the government has remained tight-lipped on which solution it prefers. Meanwhile, residents are repairing their walls and hoping for support from overseas. A report by Luca Schmitt-Walz.

#documentary #dwdocumentary #reporter
______

DW Documentary gives you knowledge beyond the headlines. Watch top documentaries from German broadcasters and international production companies. Meet intriguing people, travel to distant lands, get a look behind the complexities of daily life and build a deeper understanding of current affairs and global events. Subscribe and explore the world around you with DW Documentary.

Subscribe to:

[missbeans]

This is so sad. In the early 00s I was lucky enough to visit Kiribati as part of a cruise excursion. My friend and I went biking around the island. It was a magical experience. I always hoped to return someday. I feel so sad to learn of the plight of the locals and hope something can be done to preserve their homes and way of life.

[bashamuwanga]

The translators are making the documentary story interesting we appreciate

[catto]

Mangrove is the answer. they can tolerate salty environment, they grow fast and their roots capable of accumulating mineral and particles from sea water thus making the water clearer and creating a new land in long term, in addition to that mangrove forest can act as a breeding zone for many marine animals.

[Tammissa]

What a beautiful Island, I really hope the people get the support to save their homes.

[demil]

A very good mini-docu andgood narrator!
And the good thing is that not only the negative aspects are shown but also the positive ones where residents take initiative.
I sincerely support efforts to make the islands secure.
Increased planting of mangroves and plats that produce lots of biomass can help keep erosion away and also add soil to the surface.
But it needs investment from outside to support efforts (wave breakers e.g.).
Leaving should not be accepted as an option for the residents!

[AdelaVetr]

DW, your work is important and meaningful, thank you.

[Paulleta]

I aways teach my young boys to watch DW English documentaries. I am happy they like them at young age. Nairobi, Kenya.

[CausticLemons]

The GDP of Kiribati is about $300 million per year. A single billionaire could change the future for an entire people, but of course you have to be selfish to become a billionaire in the first place...

[archexxe]

Australia and New Zealand should assist in helping them build resilient environments to learn for the world on how to make climate resistant societies. This year we had a hurricane in NZ and we weren't prepared it devastated us. Climate action should be taken seriously before it takes us.

[tossancuyota]

noice a re-visit good job DW keep on reminding peeps whats really going on

[ChristIsRisen]

Here in November 1943 there was a very bloody battle fought between American and Japanese troops in the battle of Tarawa that lasted just a few days. 1005 Americans were killed and very few Japanese lived to surrender. So sad that the people here still can't live in happiness and security.

[eggplantandpeach]

Sadly profits will continue to be more important than these islands and their citizens.

[derbdep]

Thabk you DW for the excellent story! Sending love and prayers to our distant brothers and sisters in Kiribati, from the Philippines. Our coastlines are also sinking due to rising water levels :((

[mohammedsaysrashid]

Another wonderful and real show documentary shared by a respectful 🙏 ( DW) documentary channel about climate change consequences on several urbanized islands 🏝 on the Pacific surfaced. Thank you a ( 🙏 DW) channel for sharing

[HanahSantos]

The island looks like rural areas in the Philippines. Even the houses are similar.

[salutation]

This is a wonderful video. I wonder if I may have your permission to use a small part of it in a video I am making for music to highlight the plight of Kiribati. I will of course credit your video. Thank you Nick McCann England

[leponpon]

Needs plenty more mangrove trees and coconut trees, cheap rock imports also, either from the sea bed or from other volcanic Islands. That should increase and maintain the organic foundation above sea level. Takes money too but at least it could be the one with the lowest cost. And it will attract plenty of ecotourism

[Achilles]

The choice of background music is bad.

[massagetherapy]

Nature will fight back and still be winner

[sobolanul]

This affects first the people who had no impact.
We drive our cars in the Western society and this will destroy the lives of people's thousands of miles away.