Rising seas force Pacific islanders to consider relocation

The president of a Pacific island nation is looking to buy land in other countries to relocate islanders threatened by rising sea levels.

Anote Tong, president of Kiribati, believes his island nation is in danger of being submerged because of the effects of climate change.

The majority of Kiribati’s 21 islands are less than five metres above sea level.

Since 1991, sea levels have risen by around five millimetres every year.

Tong’s idea of purchasing land echoes a similar plan by the Maldives - buying land elsewhere in preparation for rising seas.

President Tong said an international system should be put in place to compensate countries willing to provide land for climate change refugees.

He urged world leaders to consider the plight of islands threatened by rising sea levels at the climate change conference in Copenhagen in December.

Kiribati islanders are being trained in skills for employment such as plumbing as they prepare for their move overseas.

Kiribati - formerly known as Gilbert Islands - won its independence from the UK in 1979.