Sea Level Rise and the Carteret Islanders John Duguman

1. Sea Level Rise and the Carteret Islanders John Duguman Discipline of Environmental Science and Geography School of Natural and Physical Sciences University of PNG dugumanj@upng.ac.pg

2. Acknowledgement: Ms Ursula Rakova of Tulele Peisa Inc

3. Outline • Introduction • Resettlement of Cataret Islands • Government assistance and process • Community responses at Tinputz • Subsistence livelihood options • Some issues for migration

4. Sea Level Rises/ Changes `= TIDE LEVEL + WIND EFFECT + ATMOSPHERIC EFFECT + LAND MOVEMENT+ OCEANOGRAPHIC EFFECT + GHG Signals

5. Results to end of June 2004 Net relative sea level rise (mm/year) +5.0 n/a +6.9 +5.0 +7.0 +5.4 +6.0 +3.6 +4.8 +3.1 +10.8 +2.1

6. Results to end of March 2007 Net relative sea level rise (mm/year) +3.8 + 13.5 +6.2 +7.2 +6.3 +5.4 +4.8 +5.9 +3.3 +8.2 +4.2 +2.9

7. Cataret Islands • Located 86 km (53 mi) north-east of Bougainville. • Atoll of low-lying islands ;Han, Jangain, Yesila, Yolasa and Piul, stretching 30 km (19 mi) in NS direction • Total land area of 0.6 square kms • Maximum elevation of 1.5 m (5 ft) above sea level. • Total population of 2000+ • Culturally linked to a language group on the mainland.

9. NASA Picture of the Cataret Island Atoll

10. Sea walls put into place and mangroves planted for over 20 yrs but now impacted upon . [ see you tube for movies] • Increased storm surges and high tides continue to wash away homes, destroy vegetable gardens (including swamp taro, and contaminate fresh water supplies (sea water intrusion). Tulele Peisa estimates up to 60% of the gardening area gone. • Estimated that by 2015, the Carteret Islands could be largely submerged and entirely uninhabitable. • Hence the need to relocate the 2000+ villagers.

11. Cataret villagers to be resettled at Tinputz

12. Resettlement Process • The Catholic Church assisted by Tulele Peisa Inc, local NGO facilitated this process. • Process of Social Mapping & Extensive Research • to Identify kinship, clan lineages • Chief Exchanges • Youth speaking tour in Tinputz. • At present, 5 fathers are in Tinputz to prepare for their families to come in July 2009.

13. Government Policy and Assistance • No known policy in place, although Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) recognised Tulele Peisa Inc as representing the Cataret Islanders in Feb 2007. • Oct 2007 – National Govt allocated PNGK2 million to Cataret Relocation Program after Chiefs of Cataret & Tinputz & Regional MP emphasised on it. • Now, funding is now allocated for all the atoll and other islands. • National Disaster Centre did impact assessment of Cataret , although results not available here .

14. Community Response at Tinputz • Excellent community support and encouragement from Tinputz • community. • Social and customary obligations to help out as reciprocity will be enabled.

15. Sustainability Livelihood Options • 5 ha to each family . • 3 ha for cocoa and coconut production for subsistence. • 2 ha for houses, food gardens for taro, kaukau (sweet potato), banana and other food staples. Maybe for other spiritual activities.

16. Some issues for Migration • Loss of cultural and sacred sites and attachment. • Finding cultural lineages and commonalities between people • Acceptance of refugees on compassionate grounds. • Anxiety and fear of coming into contact with new environment, way of life, peaceful island life to mainland Bougainville after conflict .

17. Thank you