Part 1: Locate and describe Kiribati

1. Map labelling: On the outline Pacific map, label Kiribati, Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, Tuvalu, the Pacific Ocean and the equator. Add a north arrow. If a map is not provided, sketch a simple Pacific map in the space below.

2. Absolute and relative location:

a) Kiribati is approximately between ______°N and ______°S, and between ______°E and ______°W.

b) Write three relative-location statements using direction or distance. For example: “Kiribati is north-east of ______.”

3. Geographic profile: Complete the profile.

Region: ____________________    Capital: ____________________

Island type: ____________________    Island pattern: ____________________

Most concentrated population: ____________________

Why low elevation increases vulnerability:

4. Key terms: Match each term to its meaning by writing the correct letter.

Part 2: Investigate the evidence

Evidence A — Brief text: Kiribati’s low-lying coral atolls are exposed to sea-level rise, coastal erosion and storm damage. Saltwater can enter groundwater and soils, reducing freshwater supplies and harming crops. Warmer and changing ocean conditions may affect fisheries. Population pressure is especially high on South Tarawa, where limited land and freshwater are shared by many people.

Evidence B — Simple data display: This classroom scale summarises the evidence. It is not a measured forecast.

Sea-level rise exposure:   High ■■■■■

Coastal erosion:   High ■■■■□

Freshwater stress:   High ■■■■□

Population pressure on South Tarawa:   Very high ■■■■■

Fisheries uncertainty:   Medium ■■■□□

Evidence C — Map caption: A map of Kiribati shows a widely dispersed archipelago across the central Pacific. This distribution makes transport, service delivery and emergency response difficult between islands.

Evidence D — Photograph captions:

Photograph 1: Waves reach a narrow shoreline beside homes, showing how erosion can reduce land and increase risk.

Photograph 2: A crowded settlement on South Tarawa shows population pressure, limited space and pressure on water and waste systems.

Photograph 3: A community gathering near the coast illustrates the cultural and spiritual importance of ancestral land, ocean places and community life.

5. Classify the impacts: For each impact, write one or more categories: environmental, social, economic, political or cultural.

a) Saltwater intrusion into groundwater: ____________________

b) Changing fish populations: ____________________

c) Possible relocation from ancestral land: ____________________

d) Overcrowding on South Tarawa: ____________________

e) The need for international climate finance: ____________________

6. Cause and effect: Explain two cause-and-effect relationships from the evidence. Use “because”, “therefore” or “as a result”.

7. Why is this a geographic challenge rather than only an environmental issue? Refer to at least two impacts on people, culture, the economy or decision-making.

Part 3: Perspectives, responses and judgement

Perspective is a way of seeing an issue shaped by values, experiences and beliefs. A viewpoint is a specific opinion or proposed action.

8. Stakeholder role summaries: Read the six perspectives. In your group, prepare a viewpoint about what should be prioritised and why.

Kiribati community members — social and cultural: Want safe homes, reliable freshwater, education and health services while protecting community connections and ancestral places.

Kiribati Government — political and economic: Must protect citizens, plan infrastructure and secure funding, while making fair decisions across widely dispersed islands.

Environmental scientists — environmental: Emphasise evidence about sea-level rise, erosion, freshwater systems and ecosystem change. Support risk reduction based on monitoring and long-term planning.

Fishing and tourism businesses — economic: Need healthy marine environments, reliable transport and secure livelihoods. They may support adaptation but worry about costs and damage to visitor or fishing resources.

Neighbouring Pacific countries — regional and social: Support regional cooperation, shared climate finance and preparedness. They also face their own climate risks and limited resources.

Higher-emitting countries — political and economic: Face pressure to reduce emissions, provide climate finance and support adaptation or relocation. They may weigh responsibility against domestic costs.

Which stakeholder perspective is most concerned with indigenous or spiritual connections to place? ____________________

Which stakeholder viewpoint is most likely to prioritise international responsibility? ____________________

Write one sentence explaining how a perspective could influence a decision.

Three possible responses:

A. Adapt in place: Improve coastal protection, freshwater storage, water management and resilient infrastructure.

B. Seek international support: Build partnerships to obtain climate finance, emissions reductions, technical assistance and regional cooperation.

C. Plan staged migration and relocation: Prepare voluntary, planned movement while protecting rights, livelihoods, culture and community identity.

9. Decision-making: Select one response and justify your recommendation. Use at least two pieces of evidence and refer to two different stakeholder perspectives.

10. Final evaluation paragraph: To what extent does your recommended response address Kiribati’s geographic challenge?

Include a clear claim, evidence about location and at least two impacts, an explanation linking causes and effects, two stakeholder perspectives, relevant geographic terminology, and a justified judgement about limitations or trade-offs.

Sentence starters: “Kiribati is located…”   “The evidence shows…”   “This causes…”   “From the perspective of…”   “However…”   “Overall, I judge that…”