The United Nations has recently declared that we may only have 12 years left to stop climate change. Global sea levels have been rising an average of 3 mm every year and one of the first visible effects of climate change can be seen in the tiny nation of Kiribati. Kiribati is comprised of many atolls in the Pacific Ocean, with the biggest and most populous atoll being Tarawa. Rising sea levels have not only begun to usurp people’s land but is also depriving them access to clean, safe drinking water. Increasing storm surges have brought sea water into drinking wells and made them unfit for drinking. Where the wells are inland, the groundwater is becoming more saline.
An existing solar-powered water distillation system.
EWB has partnered with the NZ Ministry of Foreign and Trade (MFAT) and the Pacific Community (SPC) to trial solar-powered water distillation technology for the community. Our volunteer, India, has recently returned from a two-week trip to Tarawa in Kiribati to scope out the logistics for this project. This is what India had to say about her trip: “I’ve met with many stakeholders and discovered many more to connect with. Kiribati is an amazing country that I’ve now had a sneak preview into. I wasn’t ready to leave, thanks to the awesome community of existing volunteers there, and because of the fact that every i-Kiribati I met was sad to see me go too.”
The Kiribati Solar Stills project funded by MFAT Aid Programme will ensure safe drinking water for communities, and help them take action against climate change.
We’re looking for a keen, capable volunteer to depart in the next few months to work on this project!
Please contact (firstname.lastname@example.org) to find out more!
MFAT funded project in Abaiang.