Guest essay by Eric Worrall
Kiribati man Ioane Teitiota has just lost his appeal to the New Zealand Supreme Court, to be recognised as the world’s first climate refugee.
According to Channel 7 News (Australia);
The Supreme Court of New Zealand on Monday declined an appeal by Teitiota to overturn a decision to not grant him refugee status on those grounds.
In its ruling, the court said it did not believe there was enough immediate threat to Teitiota to cover him under international refugee laws.
“In relation to the Refugee Convention, while Kiribati undoubtedly faces challenges, Mr Teitiota does not, if returned, face serious harm and there is no evidence that the government of Kiribati is failing to take steps to protect its citizens from the effects of environmental degradation to the extent that it can,” it said.
Read more: https://au.news.yahoo.com/world/a/28930185/climate-change-refugee-loses-nz-bid/
I thought Teitiota lost his case back in 2014, but it seems Teitiota or his supporters launched an appeal, which Teitiota now appears to have lost.
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Two points about island nations like Kiribati.
1). Recent work has demonstrated that Coral reefs grow upward as sea level rises (Kench et al, 2015, Geology- NB paywall protected), thus providing a buffer to drowning.
2).. The Chinese have become very expert at raising land elevation on coral islands along the East China Sea. The Chinese also have established an infrastructure bank and surely the Kiribatians and other island nations could get a loan from them to raise their islands above projected sea level rise. That way the issue resolves itself.
He should move to where the sun never shines.
Ironically, I just returned to NZ from my own climate induced refugee excursion (aka holiday) in the Pacific. 35C of climate change from here to there. My family adapted well to swimming and sun-bathing instead of freezing.
I think I waved to Mr Teitiota when I passed him at the airport…
Who he XXXX would want to migrate to NZ or Australia for that matter. Here we call it miserialandia LOL
Patrick July 20, 2015 at 8:25 pm
I am not sure about New Zealand, but here in Aus, there is nothing generous about benefits.
+++++++++++++
Benefits are very generous in New Zealand. I’m a national superannuitant (what used to be called an old age pensioner in less politically correct times) and manage pretty well. Part of my pension is paid by the Australian government and from what I know of their system it’s also generous.
Of course, if we add too many freeloaders from overseas, the scheme will become less generous.
Graphed Kiribati Monthly tide gauge data. 14mm rise in 38 years. I think he might have an argument in 1372 years!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2mJHy077e-vYnNVLXQtZ2RnM0k/view?usp=sharing