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Kiribati Geographic Challenge

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Kiribati Geographic Challenge

You are advising a Pacific regional planning team. Use the evidence on this worksheet to explain Kiribati’s geographic challenges and recommend a fair, realistic response. Base your answers on the information provided; distinguish evidence from your own judgement.

Read the geographic evidence

Kiribati is an independent island country in the central Pacific. Its 33 islands are organised into the Gilbert, Phoenix and Line groups; most are low-lying coral atolls, while Banaba is a raised coral island. The groups are spread across a huge ocean area. The capital, South Tarawa, is in the Gilbert Islands. Many people live there, creating pressure on limited land, housing, water and services. Low elevation and narrow land areas make many communities exposed to coastal flooding, erosion and saltwater entering freshwater lenses and soils. These hazards interact with population, infrastructure, livelihoods, culture and decisions about where and how people can live. Exposure does not mean that every island or community experiences the same risk.

Issue

Relative concern

Why planners may care

Coastal exposure

High ■■■■■

Low-lying coasts and narrow land areas may face flooding and erosion.

Freshwater stress

High ■■■■□

Saltwater intrusion and limited supplies can affect homes and crops.

Population pressure on South Tarawa

Very high ■■■■■

Many people share limited land, water, housing and services.

Fisheries change

Uncertain ■■■□□

Changing ocean conditions may affect marine ecosystems and livelihoods.

Service delivery between island groups

High challenge ■■■■□

Large distances can make transport, infrastructure and emergency response difficult.

Locate, interpret and connect

Use the briefing and evidence snapshot above. Give specific explanations rather than copying phrases.

1.Using the briefing, identify which island group contains South Tarawa. Then explain one way Kiribati’s widely dispersed location could complicate emergency response.

2.Which statement best explains why low-lying atolls can face freshwater stress?

Saltwater can enter groundwater and soils, reducing the availability of usable freshwater.
Atolls are high mountain islands where rainwater runs off too quickly.
The country’s position means every island has no freshwater at all.
Freshwater stress is caused only by long distances between islands.

3.Match each geographic term to its meaning. 1. Atoll 2. Archipelago 3. Vulnerability 4. Population pressure A. A chain or group of islands B. The degree to which people or places are susceptible to harm from a hazard C. Demand on land, water or services from people living in an area D. A ring-shaped coral island or group surrounding a lagoon

1. Atoll
2. Archipelago
3. Vulnerability
4. Population pressure

B. The degree to which people or places are susceptible to harm from a hazard
D. A ring-shaped coral island or group surrounding a lagoon
C. Demand on land, water or services from people living in an area
A. A chain or group of islands

4.Use one entry from the evidence snapshot to explain a cause-and-effect chain linking a geographic condition to an impact on people. Include the words “because” and “therefore”.

5.Classify each issue using one or more categories: environmental, social, economic, political or cultural. a) Saltwater affecting groundwater b) Pressure on housing and health services in South Tarawa c) A possible threat to livelihoods connected with fishing d) Decisions about climate finance between governments

6.The snapshot calls fisheries change “uncertain”. What is one reason a planner should avoid treating that rating as a definite prediction?

Weigh perspectives and recommend a response

Consider three possible approaches. Adaptation could include water storage, improved water management and resilient infrastructure. International cooperation could support finance, technical help and emissions reductions. Planned, voluntary migration may be considered by some people, but must protect rights, livelihoods, culture and community connections. These approaches can be combined; none removes every risk.

7.Which stakeholder is most directly likely to emphasise protecting ancestral places and community connections? Explain why another stakeholder might emphasise a different priority.

8.A planner proposes investing only in South Tarawa because the population pressure rating is very high. Give one reason this proposal could be unfair or incomplete, using evidence about Kiribati’s geography.

9.Choose one approach or a combination: adaptation, international cooperation, or planned voluntary migration. Recommend it to the regional planning team. Refer to two pieces of evidence, consider two stakeholder perspectives, and explain one limitation or trade-off.

10.Complete the judgement: “Kiribati’s geographic challenge is more than an environmental issue because…” Include one environmental process and one effect on people or decision-making.