HOW CAN ISLAND(ER)S MAXIMIZE THE "WILD CARD"?

Bill McKibben said in a May 1, 2009 presentation in Wellington that "the existence of the internet is the real 'wild card' in sparking an international movement, but more importantly, in motivating our most entrenched politicians who have a vested interest in the status quo [i.e. to not enact policies that will aid in the mitigation of climate change]."

I would also add that the increasing global accessibility to the internet, as well as the user-friendly, interactive web 2.0 capabilities have the potential to drastically raise the awareness level of even those who are not inclined to participate in climate change-related discussions, demonstrations or protests.

The following documentary An Uncertain Future is just one example of how islanders – in this case Tulun [Carteret], Tinputz and Buka youth from Papua New Guinea – are utilizing the internet and other newly-learned media skills to express themselves and advocate for greater, more meaningful action on climate change.

There is some harrowing information presented:

The Carteret [Tulun] atoll is less than ten square hectares [roughly 24 acres] of land and reef, with the maximum height of 1.2 meters [3 feet 11 inches] above sea level.

Sixty percent of the island has been eroded – destroyed by the sea over the last ten years – and scientists believe that between 2015 and 2020, this group of islands will be beneath the sea.

There is also a sad song sung in the documentary with lyrics that are simple yet touching – showing their deep attachment to the land that will soon be taken back by the sea:

When I was far away from home

I heard the news that my island

has been eroded by the rising sea.

Oh my lovely homeland

in the past you were good

but now you are being eroded

by the rising sea.

From the creation of another islander – this time an Englishman – is a blog entitled Journey to the Sinking Land, which documents the author's personal experiences on Tulun. He is witness to the first wave of climate change refugees as they move from their home islands to Tinputz on Bougainville Island.