Loane Teitiota was the man from Kiribati who went to New Zealand to try to claim climate refugee status,  There were many small island folks who were really invested in the outcome of his case as their homes are slowly sinking into the ocean.  Unfortunately, he lost his appeals and has been deported back to his home country of Kiribati.

Part of the discussions at the UN and during the Climate COP’s of recent years has been the compensation for small island nations which need to be resettled with the increase in sea level rise.  How exactly do you compensate people who are losing their lives, culture, and everything they have known?  They are not the reason for the increased sea level rise as none of the countries have had an industrial revolution with the puffing smoke and burning of natural resources.

Mr. Teitiota’s case is typical of the plight of many small island people.  He lives in housing which many first world citizens would not consider – a cinder block house.  He drinks water which is contaminated by sea water intrusion.  His children have health issues associated with malnutrition, lack of finances, and poor food security.

So while President Obama and President Xi have signed an agreement outlining a potential climate change policies for their respective countries, the question still remains if we are going to be able to truly affect change…  This is especially worrisome with the change in administration about to occur in the U.S. with Presidential elections right around the corner.

The Man Who Would Be the First Climate Change Refugee – http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-34674374