In September 2014 Anote Tong, President of the Pacific Republic of Kiribati, journeyed to the Arctic to see first hand the melting Arctic glaciers that are affecting his drowning Pacific paradise.
Sea levels are rising faster in the Central-West Pacific than nearly anywhere else in the world, forcing the Islands of Kiribati, with a population of 100 000, to prepare to be wiped out.
Like most people, President Tong had never been to the Arctic. And it turned out to be a powerful experience.
"Kiribati is a beautiful island. But very vulnerable. Very low-lying and therefore highly vulnerable to the impact of climate change, particularly of sea level rise. And so, our future days are numbered. Our islands will be severely affected to the extent that within this century, perhaps even befo... Read more >