Low-lying Pacific island nation of Kiribati considers building floating platforms Nikumaroro Island, an uninhabited Pacific coral atoll in the Republic of Kiribati, is captured by Space Imagings IKONOS satellite It is the stuff of science fiction films and futuristic novels, but the realities of climate change have forced the government in the low-lying Pacific archipelago of Kiribati to consider building floating islands for its citizens to live on as rising sea levels threaten to engulf the nation. Nikumaroro Island, an uninhabited Pacific coral atoll in the Republic of Kiribati, is captured by Space Imagings IKONOS satellite Kiribatis 32 atolls and one island lie roughly halfway between Hawaii and Australia in the South Pacific. Most of the nation stands less than 6.5 feet above sea level, which means that large swaths of land would be partly inundated if sea levels rise to the extent predicted in climate change forecasts UN research suggests that sea levels will rise by 20 inches by 2100, making most of the nations arable land either salinated or submerged. The archipelago, home to a population of 103,000, is already feeling the effects of climate change. Mr Tong said several people had lost their homes to rising seas and the need for action was urgent. Children play in King Tide flood waters
Posted on: Fri, 18 Oct 2013 12:21:47 +0000
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