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The legacy of migration in response to climate stress: learning from the Gilbertese resettlement in the Solomon Islands

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  • Simon D. Donner

Abstract

The long‐term threat of sea‐level rise to coral atoll and reef island communities in Kiribati, Tuvalu and other nations has raised the possibility of international migration. Historical resettlements in the Pacific may provide valuable insight into the long‐term effect of future climate change‐related migration on communities. This study evaluates the challenges faced by Gilbertese people resettled from modern‐day Kiribati to Ghizo in the Solomon Islands by the British colonial administration in the mid‐1900s. Drawing upon field interviews (n = 45) conducted in 2011 and the available historical literature, the study examines the circumstances of the initial failed resettlement in the equatorial Phoenix Islands, the subsequent relocation to Ghizo, and the recent concerns of the Gilbertese in Ghizo. Focus is placed on the struggle to recover from the 2007 tsunami that devastated the unprepared community. The analysis reveals that uncertainty about land tenure (raised by 61% of respondents) persists 60 years after resettlement, and is linked to the ability to recover from the tsunami, tensions with the Melanesian population, concerns over political representation, cultural decline, and education and employment opportunities. The Gilbertese experience can serve as a cautionary tale for policymakers considering mechanisms for facilitating climate change‐related migration.

Suggested Citation

  • Simon D. Donner, 2015. "The legacy of migration in response to climate stress: learning from the Gilbertese resettlement in the Solomon Islands," Natural Resources Forum, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 39(3-4), pages 191-201, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:natres:v:39:y:2015:i:3-4:p:191-201
    DOI: 10.1111/1477-8947.12082
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Thomas Birk & Kjeld Rasmussen, 2014. "Migration from atolls as climate change adaptation: Current practices, barriers and options in Solomon Islands," Natural Resources Forum, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 38(1), pages 1-13, February.
    2. Barnett, Jon & Webber, Michael, 2010. "Accommodating migration to promote adaptation to climate change," Policy Research Working Paper Series 5270, The World Bank.
    3. Brian McAdoo & Andrew Moore & Jennifer Baumwoll, 2009. "Indigenous knowledge and the near field population response during the 2007 Solomon Islands tsunami," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 48(1), pages 73-82, January.
    4. W. Adger & P. Kelly, 1999. "Social Vulnerability to Climate Change and the Architecture of Entitlements," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 4(3), pages 253-266, September.
    5. Neil Adger, W., 1999. "Social Vulnerability to Climate Change and Extremes in Coastal Vietnam," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 27(2), pages 249-269, February.
    6. Thomas Birk & Kjeld Rasmussen, 2014. "Migration from atolls as climate change adaptation: Current practices, barriers and options in Solomon Islands," Natural Resources Forum, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 0(1), pages 1-13, February.
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    1. Dixon, Keith, 2023. "Consequences of accountings, distributional and otherwise," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 97(C).

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