Kiritimati is the world's largest and oldest coral atoll, and it therefore houses a truly gynormous central lagoon, the color of which is breathtakingly otherworldly. Yet although water is likely Kiritimati's greatest resource, it's also its greatest danger. The island is mostly 10 feet above sea level, with the tallest point being a series of sand dunes which crest at around 30 feet depending on their specific make-up any month. In low-lying and unsheltered Kiritimati, even a small scale tsunami could prove devastating. But perhaps more devastating in the long term is the rising of the world's oceans due to global warming, which could seriously threaten the continued existence of this island and many other island paradises throughout Oceania. Certain Oceanic nations have already begun negotiations to evacuate their entire population to higher altitude partner countries in the event the oceans continue to rise. All the more reason America (the world's largest producer of greenhouse gases) should participate in the worldwide Kyoto Treaty to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases which cause global warming and destroy the ozone layer, a treaty which George W. Bush pulled America out of in March, 2001.

Christmas Island (Kiritimati)
Kiribati

© Dominic Arizona Bonuccelli