Kiribati
p. 22 · Read in the full issue
A report by the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP)on Kiribati says unless global greenhouse emissions are considerably reduced, the trend of sea level rise will persist, and 100 years from now it could be as much as two metres above its present level.The predictions of the impact of sea level rise on the low islands are based on an assumption that coral growth will not keep pace with sea level rise. However the SPREP report says it is likely, “depending on a number of biological factors, that coral growth will be able to keep pace with even rapidly rising sea levels, ... if such rises occur no more rapidly than three metres per 100 years”.
Kiribati also has other environmental and resource issues to be concerned about. Recent population increases have led to overcrowding, problems of rubbish disposal and pollution of ground water through infiltration of sewerage or efflu ents from domestic animal production.
There are also problems related to the disposal of toxic or non-biodegradable household and minor industrial wastes.
The increase in sea level is also expected to affect the water table making the fresh water shortage worse. □