Climate Change: Kiribati

Kiribati: The 37-year-old and his wife left his remote atoll in the Pacific country of Kiribati six years ago for higher ground and better prospects in New Zealand, where their three children were born. Immigration authorities have twice rejected his argument that rising sea levels make it too dangerous for him and his family to return to Kiribati, according to The Star. Legal experts consider the mans case a long shot, but it will nevertheless be closely watched, and might have implications for tens of millions of residents in low-lying islands around the world. Kiribati, an impoverished string of 33 coral atolls about halfway between Hawaii and Australia, has about 103,000 people and has been identified by scientists as among the nations most vulnerable to climate change and WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND A man from one of the lowest-lying countries on Earth is trying to convince New Zealand judges that hes a refugee suffering not from persecution, but from climate change. So on Oct. 16, the mans lawyer, Michael Kidd, plans to argue the case before New Zealands High Court. Kidd, who specializes in human rights cases, told The Associated Press he will appeal the case all the way to the countrys Supreme Court if necessary. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.