Kiribati

Kiribati
Type	Country
Key terms	Atoll nation; Sea-level rise; EEZ
Related	Tuvalu; Micronesia; Pacific Ocean
Examples	Tarawa; Gilbert Islands; Phoenix Islands Protected Area
Domain	Countries
Wikidata	Q710

Kiribati (officially the Republic of Kiribati) is a small island nation in the central Pacific Ocean. It comprises 33 coral atolls and reef islands – spread across the Gilbert, Phoenix, and Line Island groups – and one raised limestone island (Banaba). Kiribati straddles the Equator and lies just west of the International Date Line, making it one of only a few countries in all four hemispheres. Its land area is tiny (around 811 square kilometers), but its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) – the maritime area over which it has special rights – covers over 3.5 million square kilometers. The nation’s population is small (around 120,000 at present) and concentrated mainly on the island of Tarawa, the seat of government. Kiribati is known for its low-lying atolls, traditional culture, and extreme vulnerability to climate change.

Geography and Climate

Kiribati stretches across the central Pacific in three widely separated groups of islands. The Gilbert Islands (closest to Australia) hold the bulk of the population; the Phoenix Islands are mostly uninhabited (except for a few government personnel in a marine reserve); and the Line Islands (farthest east, near the Americas) include Kiritimati (Christmas Island). The terrain is flat coral reef: most Kiribati is made up of narrow atolls (ring-shaped coral islands enclosing a lagoon). The highest natural point in all of Kiribati is only 81 meters on Banaba (Ocean) Island; most inhabited land lies just a few meters above sea level. In short, Kiribati’s islands are very low and narrow.

Because its land is coral, freshwater is scarce and many communities rely on rainwater and shallow groundwater. The islands are generally tropical and maritime in climate. Temperatures are warm year-round (averaging around 28 °C) with little seasonal change – diurnal and seasonal swings are typically only a degree or two. Kiribati lies near the Equator, so it has a tropical oceanic climate: warm, humid, and moderated by trade winds. There are two main seasons: a wet season roughly November–April and a drier season in the middle of the year (about June–October). Annual rainfall varies by island and by season; Tarawa’s average rain is on the order of 2,000 mm per year, with a peak in January. (El Niño–Southern Oscillation can influence rainfall patterns, but Kiribati is not in the typical southern cyclone belt, so tropical cyclones are rare or generally weak when they do occur.)

Geographically, Kiribati is also unique: it is the only nation in all four hemispheres, and its easternmost islands (Line Islands) lie close to the date line. In 1995 the country adjusted the date line so that all its islands would have the same date; as a result, Kiritimati (in the Line Islands) is one of the first inhabited places on earth to see the New Year. Kiribati’s sovereign territory (its vast EEZ) covers fishing grounds and is strategically important, but on shore there is very little high ground. The natural environment of Kiribati is characterized by coral reefs and marine lagoons. Coastal fringes often have patches of coconut palms and tropical vegetation, but much of the soil is sandy or coral rubble, making farmland marginal. On the reorganized Phoenix Islands Protected Area (see Environment, below), for example, much habitat is marine or mangrove swamp.

Demographics

Kiribati is one of the world’s smallest nations by population. Its citizens, known as i-Kiribati, number on the order of 100–120 thousand (around 119,000 in the 2020 census, with more recent estimates around 130 thousand as of the mid-2020s). About half the people live on the capital atoll of Tarawa (South Tarawa), making that among the Pacific’s most densely populated places. Another significant community is on Kiritimati (Christmas Island) in the Line Islands, plus smaller villages on islands such as Abaiang, Butaritari, Nonouti, and others in the Gilbert group. The raised island of Banaba has practically no population left on-island (most Banabans were relocated to Fiji long ago).

The population is young and growing moderately. The median age is in the mid-20s, and birth rates have traditionally been high (fertility of about 3–4 children per woman). Growth in recent decades has been over 1% per year, though much smaller than during the 1970s and 80s. Urbanization is uneven: while Tarawa is urbanizing rapidly, most outer islands remain rural. A small but notable part of the i-Kiribati population lives abroad – for example, Banabans in Fiji, seafarers working internationally, or migrants in Australia and New Zealand via special labor schemes. Remittances and foreign work programs (e.g. seasonal labor in New Zealand) are an important economic link for Kiribati families.

Ethnically, Kiribati people are Micronesian (sometimes called Gilbertese or Oceanic). There are no significant indigenous minorities; almost everyone is i-Kiribati. A variety of minorities exist by way of recent immigration: small communities of Fijians (especially Banabans in Fiji), some Filipino workers, and a few Chinese and other Pacific islanders. The population is culturally and socially homogeneous. The official languages are English and Gilberese (often simply called Kiribati or I-Kiribati). English is used in government and secondary schools, but most everyday communication is in Kiribati, an Austronesian (Micronesian) language spoken by nearly the entire population. Literacy rates are relatively high (often cited above 90%), reflecting the Christian mission heritage of schooling.

Religion is overwhelmingly Christian. Missionaries (mainly Roman Catholic and Protestant) arrived in the 19th and early 20th centuries, and today roughly 95% of Kiribati’s people are Christian. The two largest denominations are the Kiribati Uniting Church (a Reformed/Protestant church, formerly Kiribati Protestant Church) and the Catholic Church, each claiming tens of thousands of followers. Other Christian groups (Methodist, Kiribati Congregational Church, Mormons, etc.) and sects are also present, but only small communities are non-Christian (Baha‘i and others together are a few percent at most). Traditional beliefs survive in folklore and symbol (for example, many dances and songs invoke ancestral spirits or nature), but day-to-day life is strongly influenced by Christian practice.

Demographically, gender balance is roughly even, and life expectancy is modest (around 65–70 years). Health challenges include those common in Pacific islands, such as diabetes and heart disease (stemming in part from dietary changes). On some outer islands, malnutrition and access to healthcare remain concerns. Educational opportunities are limited by geography: primary schooling is widespread, but secondary schools exist only in a few places (Tarawa and some larger islands). Migration has also carried Kiribati culture abroad: communities of i-Kiribati in places like Fiji’s Rabi Island maintain cultural traditions and have seats in Kiribati’s parliament.

Economy

Kiribati’s economy is very small and has few natural resources. The gross domestic product (GDP) is on the order of a few hundred million US dollars, and per capita income is one of the lowest in Oceania (roughly US$2,000 per year by nominal measures, somewhat higher on a purchasing-power basis). The economy is dominated by government, fisheries, and foreign sources (aid, grants, remittances) rather than manufacturing or services.

The backbone of Kiribati’s economy is fisheries. With a huge Exclusive Economic Zone, Kiribati has access to abundant tuna and other ocean fish. Fees from fishing licenses (especially for tuna) provide a major share of government revenue. In recent years, fisheries have generated around 70–80% of government income and nearly all of Kiribati’s export earnings. (For context, the government charges license fees to foreign fishing fleets, participates in joint ventures, and even operates a small processing plant in South Tarawa.) The Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) – a tuna-fishing pact of Pacific states – includes Kiribati, and its investments in licensing policies (like limiting fishing days) can affect Kiribati’s revenue. In 2020–2023, fish exports brought in roughly US$75–80 million per year, mainly non-fillet frozen tuna shipped to markets like Thailand, Japan, and the United States. Fisheries also support local food security: fishing (and some small-scale aquaculture like oyster farming) provides protein for island diets. However, the marine resources are still vulnerable to climate change and overfishing. For example, Kiribati reopened parts of the Phoenix Islands Protected Area to commercial fishing in 2021 to boost revenue (after keeping it closed for conservation).

Outside fisheries, agriculture and forestry contribute very little to GDP. The land in Kiribati is mostly coral reef with poor soil, so there is almost no large-scale farming. Many families grow subsistence crops – coconut palms, breadfruit (te bun), pandanus (te babai or pandanus), giant swamp taro (te bun,tane), sweet potatoes, and vegetables – but productivity is low and island soils are often salinized by seawater. Copra (dried coconut kernel) is produced on some outer islands, but output has been declining. Kiribati and its partners have also tried small ventures in seaweed farming and aquaculture, but these remain experimental.

Tourism exists but is underdeveloped. Some foreign visitors come for birdwatching (Christmas Island is famous for seabird colonies and red-footed boobies) or to experience remote Pacific culture. South Tarawa has newfound interest for surfers (from the atoll’s waves) and divers (for coral reefs). However, the volume of tourism is tiny compared to Pacific neighbors like Fiji or French Polynesia. Tourist facilities are basic: a few modest hotels, guesthouses, and the old Japanese-built Tarawa Casino Hotel (now closed). Overall tourism receipts are only a small fraction of GDP and have recently been hit hard by travel restrictions (e.g. during COVID-19).

Other economic pillars include public services and foreign aid. The Kiribati government employs a large share of the workforce (education, healthcare, civil service) and is supported by significant international grants. In particular, Kiribati receives aid from Australia, Taiwan (historically until 2019), Japan, New Zealand, the European Union, and others. These grants help pay for basic infrastructure and social programs. Kiribati also participates in regional schemes, such as the Pacific Regional Fisheries Treaty (which returns some U.S. fishing fees) and a one-off tourism levy on visas for longer stays.

Remittances from Kiribati nationals abroad (for example, seafarers on fishing vessels or workers in NZ/Australia) are also economically important. These private transfers are estimated in the high single digits of GDP (often around 5–10%). There is a labor-migration program with New Zealand (seasonal horticulture work) and arrangements for Kiribati sailors in merchant fleets, which indirectly raise household incomes.

Historically Kiribati once had another resource: phosphate. Large deposits of phosphate rock were mined on Banaba Island in the mid-20th century by foreign companies, and the British colonial government used proceeds to build a Kiribati Revenue Equalization Reserve Fund (RERF) – essentially a sovereign wealth fund. By the 1970s this fund was sizable (hundreds of millions USD) and was meant to finance Kiribati’s development after early independence. However, by the 1980s phosphate was exhausted, and the fund’s value later fell (sharp losses in 2008-halving its value, though it has since partially recovered). The RERF remains a key financial asset, but Kiribati now draws only modest annual income from it.

In summary, Kiribati’s economy is tiny and heavily dependent on its sea resources, financial reserves, and external support. The government has repeatedly emphasized the need for diversification – such as investing in food security (market gardening on outer islands), value-added processing (frozen and canned fish products), digital services, and climate-resilient infrastructure – but progress is gradual. At present, GDP per capita (at current U.S. dollars) is on the order of 2,000–2,500, making Kiribati a lower-middle-income economy by global standards.

Governance

Kiribati is a sovereign republic within the Commonwealth of Nations, with a unique blend of presidential and parliamentary features influenced by British traditions. It is governed under a written constitution (adopted in 1979 at independence) that vests executive power in the President (Beretitenti), who is simultaneously head of state and head of government. The legislature is called the Maneaba ni Maungatabu or House of Assembly; it is unicameral and typically has 46 seats (including two ex-officio members).

Members of the Maneaba (MPs) are elected from single-seat constituencies on each inhabited island or island group (most islands return one or two members based on population). There are no strong national political parties in the Western sense; candidates run as individuals, often loosely aligned in informal groupings. In practice there have been several party-like organizations (e.g. the Tobwaan Kiribati Party, Boutokaan Te Koaua, Kiribati Tabomoa Party), but these are recent and fluid, and voters tend to focus on local and personal issues.

A national parliamentary election is held every four years. After MPs take their seats, they select from among themselves a shortlist of three (to four) candidates for President. The President is then elected by popular vote in a separate nationwide ballot from that shortlist. The candidate who wins an absolute majority wins the presidency (if no one gets a majority in the first round, a runoff between the top two is held). Upon election, the President appoints a Cabinet (te Uea Tarawa) from among the Members of Parliament (typically the President, Vice President, up to 12 ministers, and the Attorney-General). The Cabinet exercises executive authority, with the President as its chair. If the Maneaba passes a vote of no confidence in the government or the President resigns, new presidential nominations and elections must be held.

The President’s term is four years and is renewable once (three terms total are constitutionally allowed, though no one has served beyond two). Important past presidents include Ieremia Tabai (the first post-independence President, late 1970s–1980s) and Anote Tong (President 2003–2016), who became internationally known as a climate change advocate. The current President (as of 2016–2024) is Taneti Maamau, who was first elected in 2016 and re-elected in 2020 and 2024. Maamau’s administration shifted Kiribati’s foreign policy by switching recognition from Taiwan to China in 2019 – a major geopolitical move.

The Maneaba’s Speaker is not an MP, but an external person chosen by the members. The Speaker presides over debates and has a tie-breaking role (if a vote is deadlocked when the Speaker is in the Chair, the motion is lost). In addition to elected MPs, the Maneaba includes a few special members: one ex-officio Attorney-General (who speaks and participates but does not vote) and occasionally an appointed representative for Banaba (based in Fiji). The total number of members has varied (around 44 elected plus these extras), but as a point of reference the October 2023 election was for 46 seats (44 general, one Banaban, one ex-officio AG).

Judicial power is exercised by courts under the High Court of Kiribati (which also has Court of Appeal jurisdiction) and lower courts for civil and criminal cases. The legal system is largely based on English common law, with local statutes and customary land law playing roles in land and family issues.

Kiribati is a member of the United Nations, the Pacific Islands Forum, and the Asian Development Bank, among other international bodies. It also maintains ties to the Commonwealth (as a republic) and has diplomatic relations with various partners. Historically Kiribati recognized the People’s Republic of China (PRC) from independence until 2003, then recognized Taiwan (Republic of China) from 2003 to 2019, and again switched to the PRC in 2019. This diplomatic switch, along with strategic competition in the Pacific, has been a dominant theme in Kiribati politics. Kiribati also has a defense and maritime treaty with the United States (dating from 1983) that gives the U.S. certain rights in Kiribati waters and defense responsibilities; in recent years there have been talks about modernizing that arrangement amid great-power rivalries.

Local government below the national level is organized by island councils (each inhabited island or group has a council that looks after local affairs). In villages and towns, traditional leadership roles (often described by the i-Kiribati term unimwane, meaning council of elders) continue to have influence in community decision-making, especially in areas like land use and customary disputes.

History

Kiribati’s history begins in the prehistoric era: its islands were settled by Austronesian-speaking peoples (first Micronesian seafarers, later Polynesian arrivals) thousands of years ago. Oral traditions and archaeological evidence indicate that the Gilbert Islands were inhabited as early as 2000–3000 years ago by people adept at ocean navigation. These populations developed coral-atoll cultures with fishing, pandanus weaving, and communal living in maneaba (village meeting houses) – institutions that still exist in Kiribati today.

European contact came relatively late. The archipelago was first sighted by Spanish explorers in the 16th century (Gilbertin’s Islands) but was named and charted by Britishers in the 18th century. In 1788 Captain Thomas Gilbert (after whom the group is named) passed through, and other explorers like Thomas Gilbert and John Marshall (for whom the Marshall Islands are named) charted parts of the region. By the 19th century Britain and Germany had interests in the Pacific. Britain declared a protectorate over the Gilberts in the 1880s, and in 1916 the islands formally became the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony under British rule, administered (for a time jointly with Fiji’s governor) out of Suva and later Tarawa.

In colonial times, Kiribati society was transformed by missionaries (from around the 1870s onward), who converted many islanders to Christianity and introduced Western education. At the same time, contact with the outside world brought some disruption – most dramatically the discovery of phosphate on Banaba (Ocean) Island around 1900. Phosphate mining (dissolved bird guano over millennia) made Banaba temporarily wealthy under British management, but the environmental destruction was severe, and by the 1970s phosphate deposits were mostly exhausted. The Banaban islanders were relocated first to Rabi in Fiji (where they remain), and Banaba’s population declined. The British colonial government invested much of the phosphate earnings into trusts (the RERF mentioned above) and some infrastructure in the Gilberts.

World War II was a major chapter in Kiribati history. Japanese forces occupied the Gilberts (and indeed the whole Pacific) in 1941. In November 1943 the Allies (mainly U.S. Marines) fought the bloody Battle of Tarawa to retake the atoll of Betio (part of Tarawa) in the Gilbert group. The battle was one of the first major amphibious assaults on Pacific atolls, resulting in heavy casualties (over 1,000 Americans and thousands of Japanese). After the war, the colony was rebuilt under British administration.

The path to independence began in the 1960s. In 1974 the British separated the Ellice Islands (western Polynesian atolls) from the Gilberts; the Ellice Islands became the independent nation of Tuvalu in 1978. Meanwhile, the Gilbert and Banaba (raised) islands moved toward self-government. Full independence for Kiribati (named from the local pronunciation of “Gilberts”) was achieved on July 12, 1979. Post-independence Kiribati joined the Commonwealth and the United Nations in 1992.

Since independence, Kiribati’s leaders have been drawn from a small pool of elites, and national politics have often focused on local and existential issues. Presidents have included Ieremia Tabai (1979–1982, 1983–1991), Teatao Teannaki (1991–1994), Teburoro Tito (1994–2003), Anote Tong (2003–2016), and Taneti Maamau (2016–present). Under President Anote Tong, Kiribati gained global recognition for its warnings on sea-level rise and climate change (Tong later missed out on a 2018 Climate Innovation Summit at the front row due to visa issues, a diplomatic oddity). Other notable events include the exchange of diplomatic recognition between Taiwan and China in 2003 (when Kiribati first recognized Taiwan) and 2019 (when it switched back to China). Kiribati has avoided internal coups or conflicts; elections are generally free, though journalism and opposition voices have faced constraints under some administrations.

Environmental challenges have arguably been Kiribati’s defining issue in recent decades. President Tong launched an ambitious “migration with dignity” program around 2005, suggesting that purchase of land abroad (e.g. in Fiji) might provide a future for Kiribati if sea rise became dire. That is why in 2014 Kiribati bought farmland on Fiji’s Vanua Levu island (the Natoavatu estate) for possible resettlement. However, in recent years President Maamau has downplayed migration fears and doubled down on adapting in place – building sea walls, raising land, and even planning to dredge the Tarawa lagoon to raise an island by several meters. These differing approaches reflect Kiribati’s struggle to secure its future: whether to prepare relocation or to fight climate change on its home islands.

Kiribati also ventured into international fishing and diplomatic efforts. In 2008, it declared the vast Phoenix Islands Protected Area (the country’s largest atoll group) as a conservation zone – one of the world’s largest marine protected areas at about 408,000 square kilometers. That move attracted UNESCO recognition but has also been partially relaxed to allow limited fishing for finance, under careful regulation. Additionally, Kiribati hosts a satellite tracking station on Kiritimati (commissioned with Japanese help) that aids global observations, and it maintains a small staff in Washington as part of its US treaty commitments.

In sum, Kiribati’s history combines ancient seafaring culture, colonial rule, wartime battles, and modern independence with an acute sensitivity to global forces (from Mek second world war to 21st-century climate geopolitics). Its leaders and people continue to navigate issues of survival, identity, and self-determination on a tiny stage made large by the spectacle of international economics and climate change.

Culture

Kiribati’s culture is shaped by its Pacific Island setting and long maritime tradition. The i-Kiribati people have a vibrant oral culture of stories, songs, and dance that emphasize community, nature, and ancestry. Music and dance are central to social life. Traditional Kiribati dance forms (e.g. Te Kaimatoa – a vigorous standing dance – and Te Buki – a seated hip-swaying dance) are performed on festive occasions like church events, national celebrations, and competitions. These dances often tell stories or imitate nature; for example, movements may mimic the fabled frigatebird (which features prominently on the Kiribati flag) or depict historical events. Community dance competitions, where villages challenge each other with elaborate choreographies, are common at public gatherings.

Kiribati’s musical tradition historically relied on vocal chants, group singing, and body percussion. In performance, a man or group of men might beat on seated wooden box drums or even tin drums (te tatai, simply wooden boxes) while vocalists sing call-and-response songs. Body percussion (hand claps, thigh slaps, etc.) provides rhythm. Folk songs cover themes like love, legends, courage, or given events (even World War II battles feature in some chants). With the arrival of European missionaries in the 19th century, Western hymns and instruments blended with native music. Today you often see guitar accompanients in village songs or brass instruments in church bands, but the core Kiribati sound remains rooted in the human voice and simple percussions.

Traditional attire for performances is also distinctive. Men often dance shirtless or wear simple sarongs, while women wear grass skirts (often made of pandanus leaf strips) and decorated tops. Before Christian influence they sometimes danced topless, but now modesty norms prevail (though women’s regular clothing remains quite simple). Costumes are adorned with shells, feathers, and later beads introduced by foreign traders. The colors and patterns often symbolize the sea, fish, and plant life important to Kiribati. The craftsmanship of woven mats, pandanus hats, and coconut shell jewelry all plays into the cultural dress, showing how island materials are transformed into art. Even in daily dress, Kiribati people favor locally-made textiles for clothing (though imported printed cloth and second-hand garments are also common in towns).

Religion has also left an imprint on culture. Over 95% of Kiribati is Christian, so church events (Catholic or various Protestant denominations) are major cultural gatherings. Hymns are sung often in the Kiribati language, and churches sometimes maintain traditional dance and music as part of their heritage celebrations. Christian holidays like Christmas and Easter (and local counterparts like Tiarii Te Mauri, Kiribati Day on July 12) are observed with a mix of Western and indigenous customs (e.g. church services alongside Boat Regatta races or traditional canoe demonstrations).

Language and storytelling are highly valued. Contemporary writers and poets preserve oral legends and proverbs, while modern novels or films by Kiribati creators (though not widely known globally) explore island life themes. The I-Kiribati language, Gilbertese, carries many words tied to the sea and island ecology. For instance, there are terms for various reef fish, tides, and nuclear bombs (reflecting history) – in fact, the Gilbertese word for “bomb” is katineis, echoing “Christmas (island)” where nuclear tests occurred. Schoolchildren learn Gilberese and English, and literacy in both is high. Kiribati news and official communication often use short proverbs or metaphors drawn from nature, reflecting the value placed on tradition.

In family and community life, custom and kinship remain strong. Extended families live close by, sharing resources like home-grown taro or fish. Village elders (the unimwane) often advise on cultivation of crops (like arrid staking of baby taro patches) and traditional practices (like mwaneaba meetings to discuss village affairs). Tabea (taboo) or respect for nature and ancestors also influences behavior – for example, certain days of the week are set aside for no-fishing to allow stocks to replenish. Informal “cash gift” traditions (te kabwanaten) bind the community: celebrating a birth, wedding, or church ceremony often involves sharing woven mats, fresh fish, or money collected from neighbors.

Modernity is also visible. In towns like South Tarawa, young people wear T-shirts and jeans, listen to Pacific pop music, use smartphones, and surf the Internet. Government radio and TV broadcast in English and Kiribati, and there are newspapers and social media groups on TV and WhatsApp chatting. Still, even as outer Kiribati Younger generations attend schools with curricula from Australia or Japan, elements of island culture persist. Traditional games (like te kakavao, a volcanic-rock slingshot game) are played by children. Community events like boat races, coconut tree climbing competitions, and sports (football is popular on Saturdays) draw families together.

Materially, life is spartan. Many homes are open-wall wooden huts on the shore. Clans build raised coral-block birth bures and communal kitchens under coconut trees. Food is centered on staples like fish, coconut products, breadfruit, and taro. Palu (root crop) stew with coconut cream, fresh tuna, and fruit such as papaya and pandanus are common dishes. Breadfruit and giant swamp taro must sometimes be soaked in water to reduce bitterness. Tea (gilikin) flavored with coconut is a national morning drink. Tinned imported foods (rice, mutton flaps, canned pineapple) are also diet staples, showing Kiribati’s dependence on imports. Because of infertility of soil, livestock farming is rare (except pigs on a few islands).

Kiribati’s cultural significance also lies partly in its global image as a climate-vulnerable nation. Artistic works by i-Kiribati (songs, dances, paintings) often incorporate themes of rising seas and homeland preservation. For example, eco-feminist plays or church choirs have presented islanders’ climate fears. President Anote Tong famously addressed world leaders in Kiribati during climate summits, symbolically raffling taro banks from a sinking canoe. This blend of culture and advocacy underscores how central the environment is to Kiribati’s identity.

In short, Kiribati’s culture is communal, maritime, and adaptable – a Pacific heritage of song, dance, and story woven with Christian faith and a present-day consciousness of global ties. Kiribati celebrates its traditions even as it faces 21st-century pressures, and its people take pride in being islanders with a distinct “tungaru” worldview – guardians of the ocean’s destiny.

Environment

Kiribati’s natural environment is both rich in marine life and extremely fragile. By land area, the country is overwhelmingly water. The islands lie atop coral reefs, and each atoll typically has a central lagoon. The surrounding Pacific waters teem with fish, tuna, sea turtles, and dolphins. In fact, Kiribati’s EEZ includes one of the world’s largest contiguous shallow-water ecosystems. The Phoenix Islands Protected Area (PIPA) – established in 2006 and expanded in 2008 – is a flagship example: covering about 408,000 km² around several uninhabited atolls and seamounts, it became a UNESCO World Heritage marine protected zone. PIPA contains coral gardens, yellowfin tuna, shark and reef fish nursery grounds, and nesting sites of seabirds like the Phoenix petrel. Kiribati also has smaller protected sites, and its government has adopted policies (like environmental and fisheries laws) aimed at sustainability.

However, Kiribati’s environment faces serious challenges. The most urgent is sea-level rise and climate change. Since most of Kiribati is barely a couple of meters above sea level, even modest ocean rise is an existential threat. Islands that once were safely stable are increasingly prone to coastal erosion, saltwater intrusion into the freshwater lens (the thin underground layer of drinking water), and storm flooding. In recent decades, higher “king tides” and stronger storm surges have swept over parts of coastal villages, damaging homes and crops. Even though Kiribati lies near the equator (and thus was thought safe from cyclones), Elleslike frequency of larger tropical storms is not known. Rainfall patterns have also become less predictable, leading to occasional droughts on atolls that rely solely on rain.

To cope, Kiribati has launched several adaptation efforts. On high-density Tarawa, there are seawall construction and continuous beach replenishment. Villages are planting mangroves to buffer waves. Some communities worldwide collaborated on desalination plants, although freshwater generation is limited by energy costs. Infrastructure standards (roads, houses) are being raised where possible; for example, new roads on some islands are built above current high-water marks. In the capital, urban planning now restricts building too near the edge of eroding coasts.

Despite these efforts, climate change remains a core environmental stress. Kiribati is a member of international climate alliances (e.g. Alliance of Small Island States) and has used diplomacy to highlight its plight. Its former Permanent Mission to the UN once even applied for “climate refugee” status for its people (a legal step demonstrating seriousness). On the ground, some families have begun contingency planning: many i-Kiribati have (or sought) relatives in Fiji or New Zealand and keep citizenship/residence options open. The government continues to weigh the trade-offs between investing in adaptation at home versus eventual resettlement.

Another environmental facet is biodiversity. Kiribati’s atoll ecosystems have unique species. In the Phoenix group, rare birds like the endangered Christmas Island frigatebird and several petrels nest undisturbed. Coral reefs around the islands support colorful reef fish and giant clams. However, coral bleaching (caused by warming seas) has hit the region like elsewhere in the Pacific. Local fishing pressure (even if regulated) and non-native invasive species (rats on some islands) also strain ecosystems. On land, many native plants (like certain palm varieties) show shrinking ranges. There are no large land mammals (aside from introduced rats and cats) and little forest cover; most vegetation is small bushes, pandanus groves, and coconut palms.

Waste management and pollution are growing concerns in Kiribati. The remote location means few recycling programs; much plastic waste accumulates on beaches or is burned. Kiribati has set up overt efforts like beach cleanups and is part of regional initiatives against ocean plastic, but the problem is persistent (in part because debris washes up from far-flung currents). Additionally, the legacy of history includes nuclear contamination: the British conducted hydrogen bomb tests on Kiritimati (Christmas Island) in 1957–58 (Operation Grapple), and traces of fallout momentarily reached some southern atolls. Although no ongoing radiation hazard remains, the memory of these tests prompted early Kiribati leaders to watch their land’s safety closely.

Overall, Kiribati’s environment is at once relatively pristine (much of the Phoenix Islands remain wild) and deeply vulnerable (few meters separate the people from the ocean). The government’s Environment Act and Fisheries Act provide legal frameworks to protect coral reefs and fisheries, and these laws have helped potentially reopen PIPA to limited fishing in a controlled fashion (to boost local incomes without wrecking coral biodiversity). International partnerships have brought funding for coastal resilience: for example, Japan and Australia have financed seawalls and road elevating projects.

Importantly, many i-Kiribati view their homeland as caretakers of a small piece of the planet. The Tungaru people have proverbs and taboos reflecting respect for the lagoon and ocean. Mangrove planting and sustainable fishing practices (like temporary bans on net fishing) are often community-led. The concept that Kiribati is the “tunga” (plug) holding back global floodwaters is a popular metaphor: its leaders and citizens feel that if Kiribati disappears, it is as if a cork were pulled from the world. Thus, Kiribati’s environmental significance has become symbolic as well as practical: it is often cited as a bellwether for small-island issues worldwide.

In sum, Kiribati is ecologically rich in its own way, but its flat atoll environment faces enormous stresses. The country’s continued survival will depend on both local adaptation and the global community’s response to climate change. Kiribati’s ongoing experience highlights key environmental debates: the ethics of climate aid, the meaning of sovereignty when land vanishes, and the balance between conservation and resource use in a fragile setting.