Climate-induced migration in Pacific Island states like Kiribati highlights a profound global justice issue.
By Mike Roman (RPCV Kiribati 2000–2002)
Communities that have contributed least to climate change are now facing its most severe consequences, including permanent displacement, large-scale migration, and the looming reality of forced relocation. This imbalance establishes a moral imperative and a potential legal claim for support from wealthier, high-emission nations.
Kiribati’s history offers a stark precedent for this ongoing crisis. In the early 20th century, British colonial authorities extracted phosphate from Banaba Island, stripping it of its habitability. As a result, the Banaban people were forcibly relocated to Rabi Island in Fiji, where they faced health problems, cultural dislocation, and social hardship. Today, most Banabans remain in Rabi, with few ever contemplating a return to their ancestral home.
This colonial-era displacement foreshadows the existential threat of rising sea levels in Kiribati today. Entire communities face the possibility of submersion, with little recourse but to migrate. However, migration is not a simple logistical challenge in this world today. For the I-Kiribati people, non-existent paths of migration are compounded by threats of profound identity, linguistic, and cultural losses. The Kiribati connection to ancestral land is central to their identity, and leaving it behind cuts ties to family stories, heritage, and sacred sites—an outcome many see as unacceptable.
These realities call attention to the principles of climate justice. At the 2000 Climate Justice Summit, Indigenous communities stressed how unregulated capitalism drives environmental exploitation, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable populations. For the I-Kiribati, climate displacement represents not only a loss of home but also a violation of cultural and human rights. The destruction of land, heritage, and sovereignty underscores the need for an international response rooted in justice and accountability.
A groundbreaking step toward climate justice is unfolding at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Following an initiative led by 27 Pacific Island law students, including Cynthia Houniuhi, the United Nations General Assembly requested an advisory opinion from the ICJ to clarify states’ legal obligations on climate change. This historic move aims to establish clear responsibilities for nations under international law, potentially strengthening the legal basis for climate justice claims from affected communities like Kiribati.
Pursuing this advisory opinion is critical for the global climate justice movement. If successful, it could provide a legal framework to hold high-emission countries accountable, ensuring that communities facing climate-induced migration cannot endure this crisis alone. For the I-Kiribati, it is a step toward safeguarding their future, identity, dignity, and rightful place in the world.
A mother holding her child and standing atop a broken sea wall in Kiribati. Photo by Raimon Kataotao
Mike Roman, Ph.D., is a dedicated advocate, storyteller, and global changemaker passionate about climate justice and international development. His journey began as a Peace Corps volunteer in Kiribati from 2000 to 2002, a transformative experience that inspired a lifelong commitment to supporting island communities at the forefront of climate change. A member of the DEI committee, co-chair of the Peace Corps Connect 2025 Conference, and Board of Directors, he has worked over two decades in higher education, where he has applied his expertise in Anthropology, Public Health, Environmental Studies, grant administration, and program development. His advocacy work spans Capitol Hill, where he championed the Climate Displaced Persons Act through multiple sessions of Congress, forming strategic partnerships with key advocacy organizations. His work continues to amplify the voices of marginalized communities while fostering global connections through education, advocacy, and storytelling. Read more about Mike Roman here, while you can learn more about Kiribati here.
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