For Kiribati, adapting to climate change might mean relocating entirely. Pacific islanders’ identities are very much tied to their ancestral land, the physical islands on which they live. Migration may mean a national and cultural loss, especially when most traditions are preserved orally. [...] Anote Tong, former president of Kiribati, advocates for “migrating with dignity.” This policy was designed to give citizens the tools to relocate legally, finding work in other nations like Australia and New Zealand.

Pacific Partnership partner-nation military, U.S. service members and nongovernmental organization volunteers delivered more than 200 textbooks to Stephen Whitmee High School in Abaiang, Republic of Kiribati, July 18. The textbooks were donated by the nonprofit organization Project Handclasp. “The students need books to learn,” said Abitaroma Taribo, principal of the school. “Right now we have to photocopy pages of books to give to the students. The books that were brought will help students better prepare for national exams.”