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Current Affairs 2023

Climate Change in Kiribati - UPSC Current Affairs

Climate change refers to the long-term warming of the planet, particularly the Earth's atmosphere. The impacts of climate change are widespread and varied. To address climate change, it is necessary to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and adopt more sustainable practices. This article is an attempt to explain the effect of climate change on small island nations like Kiribati.

Dec 28, 2022

2 min read

Climate change is a global phenomenon that is affecting every corner of the planet, and Kiribati is no exception. Located in the central Pacific Ocean, Kiribati is a small island nation made up of 33 atolls and reef islands. It is one of the lowest-lying countries in the world, with an average elevation of just two meters above sea level. This makes it particularly vulnerable to the impacts of rising sea levels, which are a key result of climate change.

Kiribati has already experienced the devastating effects of climate change firsthand. In the past, the country has been hit by powerful storms and floods that have caused widespread damage and destruction. The most recent example was Tropical Cyclone Pam, which struck Kiribati in 2015 and caused widespread damage to infrastructure and homes.

The people of Kiribati are also facing other challenges as a result of climate change. Changes in weather patterns have led to more frequent droughts, which have had a major impact on the country's agriculture and food security. Rising sea levels have also led to the erosion of coastlines, which has threatened the livelihoods of people living in coastal areas.

To address these challenges, Kiribati is working to adapt to the impacts of climate change. This includes building sea walls to protect against rising sea levels, improving agricultural practices to increase food security, and investing in renewable energy sources to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

But adaptation alone is not enough. To truly address the root cause of climate change, we must also take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This means transitioning to clean energy sources, such as solar and wind power, and implementing policies to encourage energy efficiency. It also means working to protect and preserve forests, which play a vital role in absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Kiribati is doing its part to address the challenge of climate change. But this is a global problem that requires a global solution. It is up to all of us to take action to reduce our carbon footprint and protect the planet for future generations.