[Typing] ♪ Tiein Taebo: For months, I'd imagined this moment-- flying over the Pacific Ocean to visit one of the most remote places on Earth.

[Kids laughing] Singers: ♪ The ocean, the sand ♪ ♪ The reeds in the wind ♪ ♪ They whisper a hymn ♪ ♪ Whispering ♪ [Indistinct chatter] Tiein: People often generalize or focus on statistics when talking about climate issues, but this story is about people, about the communities of peoples that are rarely seen.

It's about our cultural identity, our bond with the land and sea, and the lives we have built here for generations.

When I hear "remote," my impression on--they're just like, "remote-remote," like the lifestyle here is just everything sounds really local and like, what's that term, like, "down on earth" kind of thing?

People just using whatever resources they have to do what they have to do every day, like washing clothes, that kind of stuff.

[Laughter] Everything is just really down to earth.

[Indistinct] Very peaceful.

[Rooster crows] This is where I'd want to retire, spend my whole last years of retirement.

[Chuckles] I'm Tiein Taebo.

I'm a recent university graduate working to increase understanding about climate change among the young people of Kiribati.

Though I've traveled abroad for school and climate conferences, I've never had the opportunity to visit some of the most remote parts of Kiribati, such as Kiritimati and Teraina Islands.

♪ Before I take you to Kiritimati Island and beyond, let me go back to where the story began.

Two weeks ago, a group from the U.S.

arrived in Tarawa to work with local youth, teaching them how to share our stories using smartphones.

John: So whatever you say, it needs to, like, if I just plucked it out and edited it, it would make sense by itself.

Woman: I am worrying about my children and grandchildren.

Tiein: Growing up in Kiribati, I listened to the stories our elders shared-- stories of our history, our traditions, and our way of life.

Here in Kiribati, a lot of us, we fish a lot.

And after fishing, selling fish is one of our main sources of income, and it's very common to try to reach as many people as possible to sell out as many fish as possible to have an income.

We're doing these kind of methods to sell fish and make income for our family.

We want the world to know who we are.

We want the world to learn more about us.

Having an opportunity like this allows us to use tools we already have and make it possible to tell the stories we want the world to know.

♪ Baniti: Most people would pronounce it "Keereeebahtee," but it's actually pronounced "Keer-ih-behs."

The name of our country itself, it's what makes us unique.

I mean, I'm pretty sure other countries don't really have a specific name that's completely different to the way it's pronounced.

And for Kiribati, the ti is pronounced as "ehs," which is Kiribati.

That's something that really sets us aside, even just from the name of our country.

It's a problem.

It's something that we usually face every time we meet people, but it's...we feel happy at the same time explaining it.

It's what makes us different from other countries.

[Children laughing] Tiwau: It's in the middle of the Pacific.

All the islands are small, but they are scattered, crossing a wide ocean.

It is a large territory, but most of it is just water.

It's just ocean.

The population in Kiribati is around 110,000 or 120,000 for the whole country, and then 60% of it, they live in--on South Tarawa.

It's not wide, it's just a strip of land.

If you follow the road, you can see the sea some areas.

You're able to see the sea on the other side, and then the other side is just the sea as well.

Baniti: I would say that climate change is the most key problem that we're facing.

Tiein: People are just adapting and then, you know, just still working with what they got and then still trying to be positive around that message on, you know, climate change and the impact.

♪ Tiwau: 3 meters high, highest point on South Tarawa.

They make a lot of jokes about that.

Ha ha!

Once they put the label on it, it's like they made it obvious, so...that's the highest point.

And so people would just, "Hey, have you been to the mountain, the Kiribati mountain..." and they say, "Uh, yeah, the one that's only three meters."

For me, it's, I don't know, it's still--still not urgent, I would say.

It's not as, like, the risk is still--I believe it's still not, the danger is still not here yet.

So that's what I think.

So for me, it's still normal.

I still go about my day the same-- same as any other day.

Even though scientists have been warning-- have been warning for-- I don't know now-- it's been, I think, the last 20 years, as well, we have the same warning.

And now it's still the same.

People still live the same way.

♪ [Razor buzzing] I think that's the mentality here in Kiribati.

They are aware of the issue, so people are aware, but the dangers are not too alarming or not too imminent to kind of demand they are forced to relocate.

♪ They enjoy staying here with their families and all, and so they don't want to concern themselves too much about the effects of climate change.

So they're living their lives day by day.

So whatever happens today, it happens, but then they don't try to concern themselves with the future, especially related to climate change.

♪ Tiein: They know that things are changing.

You know, the environment is changing, and there's a lot of things that are impacting them, that are affecting them.

And then, you know, just you're trying to be positive around that message on, you know, climate change and the impact because, you know, compared to other countries where they're, like, doing, like, protests and all of those things, but in Kiribati, I find that hard to see, you know, people really, you know, to that level of trying to stop these big countries doing these things because they are affected by it.

People are still, like, really laid-back, you know, just living normal lives every day, even though things are changing.

-My name is Vanna.

-My name is Tanya.

-My name is Rhoa.

Tiein: We should be really bothered about things that will kind of threaten us and, you know, the future generation.

I want to do something, but it's a matter of pulling everyone into that kind of work.

[Clacking, indistinct chatter] Tiein: I want people to know that, you know, in Kiribati, we have a lot of cultures.

[Singing in Gilbertese] On Kiribati, we're very conservative.

It's really important for women to cover themselves up.

Tiein: Usually you can always see women in Kiribati wearing lavalavas.

Even the men, as well, they wear the lavalava on the day when they're sitting along, you know, like, really important events.

Especially if you're going to meetings at places like maneabas, attending maybe gatherings at sacred places, for example, like a cathedral or like a meeting hall.

Women should always wear this kind of skirts still to these kind of events.

It's a sign of respect.

Baniti: You know, for some countries, if you put the flower on the right side, it means, it pretty much shows that you're engaged or you're in a relationship, you're taken.

But if you put it on your left side, it shows that you're single, so it shows your relationship status.

But in Kiribati, it's just-- it doesn't really matter.

[Laughter] Tiein: Here, a coconut palm is more than just another plant.

It's the cornerstone of island life, interwoven into the culture of Kiribati.

From building roofs that shelter us from rain to crafting hats that shield us from the sun, weaving is a skill deeply ingrained in our lives from an early age.

In the hands of the most skilled craftsmen, coconut fronds can become works of art limited only by one's imagination.

My hairstyle will not in it work.

Tiein: Whether it's functional or playful, these creations can reflect the spirit of a tradition that reflects both the practicality and creativity of our people.

It's another example of how the land we depend on serves us in many ways.

[Boys speaking Gilbertese] ♪ South Tarawa is always alive with activity.

The streets are crowded with people, fishermen returning with the day's catch.

This is the heart of Kiribati.

[Rooster crows] At the far western end of South Tarawa lies the community of Betio, one of Kiribati's 33 atolls.

Home to over 15,000 residents, it ranks as one of the most densely populated places in the world.

It is hard to imagine such a large population residing on an island measuring just 1.5 kilometers in size.

Because of its location to Kiribati's main port and Betio's potential for employment opportunities, it drives high levels of migration from outer islands, especially now that environmental disruptions are severely impacting communities all across Kiribati.

Like much of Kiribati, Betio is susceptible to the risks and impacts of climate change.

Increased occurrences from heatwaves, droughts, and intensified storms that cause erosion, saltwater intrusion, and wave-driven flooding pose immediate threats to the lives and livelihoods of all who live here.

This severe overcrowding also contributes to acute food/water security, excessive trash, and health concerns.

[Music] While most outsiders may not have heard of Kiribati, they may have heard of Tarawa.

News reel announcer: The largest fleet ever assembled in the Pacific steams for Tarawa, vital Japanese base in the middle of the Pacific.

Tarawa in the British Gilbert Islands, is one of the most heavily fortified air bases... Tiein: It is known for being the place of one of the fiercest battles in the Pacific during the Second World War, when Kiribati it was known as the Gilbert Islands until independence from the United Kingdom in 1979.

News reel announcer: The Marines push forward inch by inch.

Tiein: At the time, Japan occupied Tarawa, and on November 23, 1943, the United States arrived to liberate Kiribati.

News reel announcer: Using hand grenades and bayonets... Tiein: The Battle of Tarawa stands as one of the most devastating chapters of the Pacific War.

News reel announcer: The entire garrison, more than 4,000 imperial Japanese marines annihilated in 76 hours.

Tiein: Over a thousand American lives were claimed alongside hundreds of locals and foreign laborers, caught in the crossfire.

News reel announcer: Firmly entrenched, United States Marines stand guard over the bloodiest battleground of the war in the Pacific.

Tiein: Remnants scattered across the island by both the Japanese and Americans serve as a constant reminder of the battle that took place here.

[Kids speaking indistinctly] Tiein: Many of the Japanese infrastructure, such as bunkers and gun emplacements, are used by locals.

It's not unusual to find people here calling an old Japanese bunker home.

These are very common, especially on Betio, where most of the active war happened.

They've been here for five years.

There's, like, one room on this side, one room over there, and kind of like the living room.

They used to live down here before.

But she's saying, the problem now the water is coming up on the inside.

[Indistinct conversation] ♪ Tiein: We're starting to have water issues.

And then we just recently had a drought alert last year.

So, yeah, we've been having a lot of issues with well water, meaning they're getting more brackish, they're not potable anymore.

All these things are starting to be introduced to the country, especially on South Tarawa and the southern islands, where it always gets too dry and then the well waters are not reliable anymore.

It was two years ago this tree used to, like, have a lot of fruit.

It was just about that foot tall and it has a lot of fruit, but then my dad started using the well water back there, started watering it, but he didn't know it started to get brackish.

And then that's what happened.

It wasn't intentional.

[Chuckles] It's a breadfruit tree.

It had lots of fruit, like, just hanging there.

We'd use mostly well water to water our plants, but he didn't realize it was brackish.

That's the well.

We don't use it anymore.

That's our garden.

It's really close to the well water.

It used to be a lot more greener than that.

Man: You know, in Kiribati, it's very hard to plant, you know, this kind of, ah... because we have poor soil, you know.

Tiein: It's the last place you'd expect to find a garden... Man: This is a lemon tree.

Tiein: yet they do exist.

Man: So we have to feed the pigs every morning and the afternoon.

We give them the coconut.

We buy it from the mill, Copra Mill.

You can see here... [Reading phrase] It means "This food for the people."

[Hammering] Tiein: It's just not the lack of space.

Just like the problem my family experienced, saltwater intrusion is a problem here as well.

Man: We got a well, but it's salty.

That's why we need rainwater.

Tiein: In addition to that, poor soil quality also poses significant challenges to growing food.

Frequent flooding and unpredictable rainfall have pushed communities to develop innovative methods for cultivating fruits and vegetables.

Man: Inside there's leaves, the old leaves.

For example, like, this one, you just put it inside.

We just dump it inside the drum, and then we will leave for one month, and then you can take it.

It start to grow again.

Tiein: Michael Motee is one resident who has turned his small plot into a productive garden.

Using above ground, it works.

Michael: Yeah, almost four years.

Tiein: By enriching the soil using composted materials, such as seaweed, ash, and organic waste, he has achieved remarkable results.

Michael: Cucumber, banana, beans.

You can see behind me is a pumpkin.

Tiein: He not only grows enough to feed his family but also sells produce to others in the community, providing much needed additional income.

[Rooster crows] Inspired by Michael's success, others have started adopting similar methods.

The hope is the success of these gardens will inspire even more families, leading to greater sustainable food production across Kiribati, reducing the reliance on imported food.

♪ [Men singing in Gilbertese over radio transmission] ♪ [Indistinct conversation] ♪ Tiein: This is coconut flesh, but when it's dried, we call it copra here.

Copra is a major source of income here.

And this is where most of the money comes in for people living in the community like this.

Well, four bags would be, like, about $200.

Most of it goes to providing for, like, soap--body soap-- body oil.

This can be eaten as well.

Like, we can eat this... give it to our pets, like pigs, to eat it as well.

♪ [Indistinct conversation] [Singing in Gilbertese] ♪ ♪ Tiein: Over the past few days, we have immersed ourselves in learning the equipment and capturing the essence of this place.

Each moment has been a step forward in crafting meaningful stories that reflect the heart of Kiribati.

We split into teams, each tasked with producing a short video addressing climate challenges here in Kiribati.

From rising sea levels to sustainable fishing, these stories represent our voices, our concerns, and our hopes.

Instructor: You guys see the button that says "Split"?

Tiein: As part of our training, we've embraced storytelling in a hands-on role.

Instructor: So this one's the question he asked, and then this one is me answering... Tiein: Using technology almost all of us have is incredibly valuable.

Instructor: You'll just start with... Tiein: The methods we are using feels practical because it relies on tools we have but have never used like this before.

Instructor: So that's essentially just how you, like, cut something... Tiein: One of the most exciting parts has been learning how to edit videos on our smartphones.

[Indistinct conversation] Tiein: It's inspiring to see how this simple device can unlock endless opportunities for creating powerful video stories.

Once each team completed their video, we submitted them to several environmental youth film festivals dedicated to amplifying young voices tackling global climate challenges.

We are proud to share that our efforts were recognized by these festivals, earning us awards and accolades.

These venues have allowed us to share our stories with a global audience.

In addition to festivals, we are leveraging social media to further amplify our message.

Organizations like Humans of Kiribati help us reach audiences far beyond our shores.

These stories provide a powerful glimpse into life on the frontlines of these challenges, connecting people around the world with the unique perspective of Kiribati.

♪ - My name is Rosa.

My home is Kiribati-- a place most have never heard of mostly because they don't know how to properly pronounce the name.

I worry.

I worry about my future.

Kiribati is a place impacted by a changing climate.

We are threatened by a rising sea and unpredictable weather.

Our home, culture... [Woman speaking Gilbertese] Rosa: and language is at risk.

Many predict we will be underwater in the next century.

[Kids speaking indistinctly] Rosa: I remain positive about our future.

With the help of others, I believe we can survive this threat.

Sharing our story with the world is a good place to start.

We need outsiders to come to Kiribati to do what they can.

Taylor: Hi.

Rosa: Today it's a group from America that have come to teach our youth... Instructor: The telephoto... Rosa: how to create videos so we can share our own stories with the world.

They will help prepare us with the new skills so our voice can be heard.

We can tell the whole world who we are and share our beautiful culture.

A rising tide may be strong, but our people are stronger.

Our story doesn't have an ending.

Our future is in front of us.

♪ -My name is Mataele, and this is Kiribati, my home.

For generations, my family have lived off the land and sea, harvesting coconuts and catching fish for food every day.

Our nets are made by hand.

I learned how to do it from my father, and he learned it from his father.

These skills passed on generation to generation, and now are being threatened by what is happening to our land and sea.

We used to catch fish from shore, but now we must venture out further and further to find food for our families.

It's more dangerous, time-consuming, expensive, and, many days, futile.

I want to be able to pass these skills on to my children, and I want them to teach their children just like my father taught me.

But When I worry with what is happening that this may be hard to continue doing.

- [Chuckles] Mataele: This can change.

This has to change if we want to preserve the way of life that we hold dear.

Kiribati is a beautiful place with a rich culture, kind people in a unique environment like nowhere else in the world.

I cannot alone save what is here.

And I believe all is not lost.

And with the help of a caring world, I believe Kiribati will be here for many generations to come.

♪ Tiein: I'm excited to be where I am today--on my way to the most easterly atoll in Kiribati-- over 3,000 kilometers from where most of us live.

I know how fortunate I am to be making this trip-- a journey most of my neighbors will never have the opportunity to do.

Kiritimati Island--a place few outsiders ever visit.

For most people in Kiribati, the distance and costs make traveling here unattainable, leaving them without the chance to experience what it's like to set foot on the largest atoll in the world.

♪ Another unique distinction for Kiribati, this is where each new day begins.

Kiritimati Island is the first inhabited place to greet the sunrise.

Tradition celebrating this dates back to ancient times, when our ancestors celebrated the dawn's first light.

Looking at the spelling, you'd probably never guess this place is pronounced "Christmas."

In the Kiribati language, the letters "T" and "I" make an "S" sound.

It's a little linguistic quirk that surprises many, but for us, it's just another example of how our culture and language are deeply interconnected.

Singers: ♪ When you open your eyes ♪ ♪ O, the sunrise ♪ ♪ Feel the wind on your face ♪ ♪ Waves break in, then fade... ♪ All: Hello.

[Kids laughing, speaking excitedly] Tiein: Right now, we're on Kiritimati, at one of the villages called London.

I haven't been here before.

This is my first time.

And there's just a lot of difference in this area, like, on this island compared to where I grew up, which is South Tarawa.

Like, not a lot of people going around, just motorbikes.

So, yeah, it's fun.

It's a new experience.

This is a place where fishermen from around the world come to cast their lines.

It is known for its world-class saltwater fly fishing, attracting a small number of tourists, who come here seeking a connection to the sea.

If you've ever wondered where the tropical fish in that home aquarium comes from, it's possible it came from here.

Wild tropical fish are caught and exported to far-off places.

In Tarawa, life moves fast.

The capital is crowded, busy, always in motion, but here, it feels like time can slow down.

[Boat horn blowing] Kiritimati Island accounts for 70% of the entire landmass of Kiribati... but its population of around 7,000 is only 1/10 of the entire population of Tarawa.

Locals reside in villages with unique names, such as London, Poland, and Banana.

These names tell a story of a rich blend of local traditions and foreign influences that have shaped the nation's history.

These stand as quirky remnants of colonial encounters, missionary presence, and the clever choices of early settlers.

♪ This island has endured its share of hardship.

News reel reader: A lonely atoll in Mid-Pacific has been converted into a testing ground for modern science.

The Christmas Island base... Tiein: In the 1950s and '60s, it was a site for nuclear testing... News reel reader: A camera plane took off to film the blast.

[Explosion] Tiein: grim reminders of humanity's power to destroy itself in an instant.

News reel reader: It is reported that there was a minimum of radioactive fallout.

Tiein: Today, the greatest threat to my home is once again manmade, but it comes not from a sudden explosion but from the gradual effects of industrial emissions, rising seas, and a warming planet.

The irony is clear: while nuclear bombs once loomed as an immediate danger, it is the long-term impact of far-away industrialized nations that pose the gravest risk to us now.

Baniti: I'm always a skeptic when it comes to people saying that we might be moving away from Kiribati.

But that's a possibility.

But I wouldn't want to leave Kiribati.

I'll stay here in Kiribati, and that's...what I'm planning to have and plan for... the next generations, probably my family's to come.

I'd want them to stay in Kiribati.

♪ Tiein: What makes Kiritimati Island truly remarkable isn't just its vastness or remote location but the incredible wildlife that thrives here, especially the birds.

Within its lagoon lies Cook Island, home to the largest bird sanctuary in Kiribati.

This uninhabited, access-controlled island serves as a crucial conservation area... [Birds calling] protecting thousands of seabirds.

Over 80 species breed here, including some that are endangered or found nowhere else in the world.

It provides a safe haven for these birds to live, nest, and thrive.

[Birds calling] I don't see any of this disappearing even in, like, 10 or 20 years from now.

But the only problem would be human impacts.

I think that would... that would have an impact on the island, but other than that, nature can do itself.

Nature always has a way of fixing itself.

There's like the small monuments here-- a monument for James Cook.

Historically, this place holds a deep connection to exploration.

Man: Come.

Tiein: Famed British navigator Captain James Cook, known for his voyages to Hawaii, New Zealand, and Australia, first set eyes on a Kiritimati atoll on Christmas Eve, 1777.

[Calling] Places like Cook Island remind us of the delicate balance of life-- how nature can thrive when given the chance.

This place is not just a unique bird sanctuary in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, it is a symbol of why conservation matters not just for Kiribati but for all the world.

♪ Our team is now just three-- John, Robert, and myself.

We are traveling to one of the most remote destinations in Kiribati-- Teraina Island.

Also known as Washington Island, this location is home to a rare natural feature.

It's the only atoll in the world with a freshwater lake.

It's yet one more remarkable characteristic that Kiribati proudly shares with the world.

Kiribati is the only country spread across all four hemispheres.

It is the northernmost atoll in Kiribati, and stands apart due to its abundant rainfall and unique lake, offering a striking contrast to the rest of the country, where, these days, rainfall is less reliable and the weather can be more severe.

Air Kiribati only recently began flying here twice a week, but even so, landings are never guaranteed.

The unpredictable weather and frequent heavy rains make reaching this remote atoll a constant challenge.

Along with John and Robert, this is my first time visiting Teraina Island.

Pilot: Welcome to Washington Island.

[Speaking Gilbertese] Tiein: Before we left Kiritimati Island... John: Nice landing.

Pilot: Thank you.

Tiein: there was a rumor that this might also be the first landing for our pilot.

Robert: Is that your first time here?

Pilot: Yes, my first time.

Tiein: Once the rumor was confirmed, it turns out there was never any real reason to worry.

With over 3,000 flight hours, Captain Vasati Sosene Tengemoana is a seasoned professional.

Her backstory is even more interesting, when I learned she is only the second woman from her country of Tuvalu to become a pilot-- a remarkable achievement, especially given that Tuvalu only recently acquired its first aircraft.

♪ [Indistinct conversation] Man: This island is really unique in a way that so many things that are not...are not there on most of the islands in the country.

I've been working around the islands, and I have visited all of the islands in Kiribati.

This place is very unique in that it's very different compared with the rest of the islands, because, you know, most of the time we have rain.

Almost 24/7, we have rain.

There's really no sunshine here.

[Kids speaking indistinctly] It's really a peaceful place to live because there's no crime.

And it's very--it's very good.

The rain and the climate, and...I like it here.

♪ [Indistinct conversations] Kids: Hello.

Hello.

Hello.

[Laughter] Tiein: For the youngest children on Teraina, seeing someone from outside is rare.

In fact, so rare, many of these children have never seen an outsider in their entire lives.

John: Say hello.

Kids: Hello... Tiein: Naturally, once word got out of us being here, curiosity took off.

John: Hello.

Kid: Hello.

Tiein: And before we knew it, we became the island's biggest attraction.

Kid: Hello.

John: Hello.

Tiein: And there was an ever-present feeling of being watched.

On the first morning, Robert was awakened by whispers of two curious faces pressed against his bedroom window.

We couldn't stop laughing when Robert described the scene.

These young island children couldn't resist sneaking a peek at who was in the seldom-used island guest quarters.

After that, we joke-nicknamed our lodging the Zoo.

Robert: You touched my arm, right?

What do you think of that?

Tiein: It truly felt like we were the main attraction.

Children of all ages would find an excuse to wander by in order to either catch a glimpse of us or interact with us... Kid: And the leg.

Robert: Yeah, right?

Tiein: sometimes in unexpected ways.

Robert: Yeah.

What do you think?

It's different, right?

But it's the same too, right?

Tiein: It was heartwarming, humbling, and at times a bit hilarious to be the center of such innocent fascination.

Robert: What do you think?

It's the same, right?

Kid: No.

Robert: No?

It's not?

It's not the same?

Or is it the same?

Is it the same?

Does it feel the same as yours?

Kid: No.

Robert: No?

It feels different?

Kid: [Indistinct].

Robert: Oh.

More hair maybe?

Oh, OK, I have more hair.

OK, that makes sense.

All right.

That's cool.

[Horn beeps] Man: The local people, they call you imatangs.

You know, you guys, you are the first to come here and visit the island, stopped with the covid.

And you can see the reaction from the student and everybody.

[Kids cheering] People are very excited to see here a white-skinned person coming to the island, who, when they see white people, they--they treat them, and they see them as very smart and intelligent and very special people.

That's the mentality of the local people.

They see the white people are very special people because of...the color of their skin.

And that's the local view that I know.

♪ [Chainsaw running] ♪ [Indistinct chatter] Tiein: Oh, it's gonna be good.

♪ That flesh over there, good.

That coconut flesh over there.

You have a spoon, you can just scoop it out and eat it--jelly.

♪ Teraina is home to a small population of about 2,000 people.

Life here is simple.

Most families depend on the sea and the land to survive.

[Laughter, indistinct conversations] Tiein: Like many other parts of Kiribati, the people of Teraina rely on harvesting coconuts to earn money.

Man: The main economic here, you know, on Teraina is copra.

[Indistinct conversations] Because of copra, people, they have money.

They sell it to the government.

They put it in the oven, the local oven.

Official: We grill the copra to dry it up.

Mostly in our environment, it's mostly rain.

All day, it's raining, so you never know when it's gonna rain, so... that's why we--we bake it.

And then when it's dry, there's a certain... a certain color and a dryness that we need to look after.

When it's too dry, there's no oil coming out from it.

Man: They use the copra to make soap, coconut oil.

They export copra to overseas.

That's the main economy in Kiribati.

And in Teraina, the people are earning a lot of money because of copra.

Tiein: Here, every child knows not to walk past a fallen coconut on the way home.

It's a simple reminder that even the youngest family members help support the household.

[Indistinct chatter] Tiein: One of the most refreshing things I found about Teraina is that technology, especially phones, is not part of the lives of most young people here.

This is so different from Tarawa.

Here, children spend their time outdoors connected to the world around them.

It reminds me of my childhood.

[Kids playing and laughing] ♪ Basketball has always been my favorite pastime, and it's nice to see the game being played here.

I've been playing basketball since primary school.

My dad plays basketball, but I live in a town where... ♪ Yeah, that's my best move.

Kid: Yes.

♪ Tiein: Watching 11-year-old Seal outplay Robert on the court is proof that the love for the game knows no age limit.

[Kids laughing] ♪ Robert: Oh, wow.

Nice buckets.

There we go.

[Applause] ♪ Tiein: It rains here...a lot-- over 325 centimeters a year.

That's 128 inches.

That's more than anyplace in Kiribati.

In recent years, some parts of Kiribati, including Tarawa, have experienced drought conditions.

It's hard to believe that in a tropical location such as Kiribati this can happen.

Changing environmental conditions are a major concern for all of us, as it impacts us in many ways.

With rain falling almost daily, water is never a concern here.

No matter what the weather is, children find creative ways to thrive.

Even in the midst of a downpour, for them, the rain is just another part of their playground.

♪ [Kid laughs, other kid whoops] Tiein: Kiribati is home to, like, about 33 atoll islands.

Although there's, like, some similarities, but there's also some uniqueness to different locations in Kiribati.

For example, there's a lake.

This is what makes Teraina-- this Washington Island--unique.

Each has its own unique nature.

[Chuckles] ♪ Today I'm heading to Lake Teraina, but it's not a straightforward journey.

There's no road, no trail, and the old canal that used to lead there has long since become impassable.

[Conversation in Gilbertese] Tiein: Luckily, our hotel host named Taii has agreed to guide us, though she admits it's been years since she last visited the lake.

We're at the canal that can lead us through the lake, the Lake Teraina.

So, what she told me was that... when they used to have guests at the hotel, and then this is where they would, like, take the guests to and then, like, board their guests to go through the canal all the way to the lake.

[Indistinct conversation] Tiein: This video shows one of the last times the canal to Lake Teraina was used back when it was still accessible.

Due to strict covid-19 quarantine protocols and Teraina's extreme remoteness, this island was one of the few places untouched by the virus.

Since we are the first visitors to come here in years and the canal hasn't been used, it's now blocked by fallen limbs, trees, and rapid growth from other plants.

♪ With no way to use a boat, we are forced to find a path through the thick overgrowth to reach the lake.

It's going to take us hours.

As we made our way through the dense greenery, I was thrilled to spot a pair of rare Teraina red warbler, their vibrant red tailfeathers standing out brilliantly against the forest.

That's another unique thing about Washington Island.

I can't get over the fact that red warbler is another famous bird species on Teraina that can be found only on Kiribati and nowhere else in the world.

♪ [Taii speaking indistinctly] It looks like an ocean.

So big.

♪ This is the first time in my entire life that I reached this place.

Just excited to be here.

I'm using my storytelling skills.

I hope this is what--other youths like me will also have an opportunity or a chance to do this kind of stuff, to tell these kind of stories themselves.

Since arriving here, I've realized how little attention Lake Teraina receives.

Despite its uniqueness, locals rarely visit.

What strikes me is that no one is studying or researching this remarkable place.

It seems almost forgotten, and yet it holds so much potential for understanding freshwater ecosystems in a region dominated by saltwater.

I can't help but wonder how might environmental changes impact this delicate balance.

The idea of this lake disappearing or its ecosystem collapsing is difficult to imagine.

I don't like the idea of having, like, the people, the culture-- you have just everything unique to Kiribati-- this kind of beautiful stuff, all these things unique to Kiribati, you know, being lost.

I'm always a skeptic when it comes to, like, Kiribati sinking and stuff.

I hope future generations will not only know of Lake Teraina but also value and protect it for what it is-- one of nature's irreplaceable treasures.

I can't leave this place without taking a once-in-a-lifetime swim in the world's only freshwater lake of its kind.

I am acutely aware of its significance and what this place symbolizes.

Water is the essence of life.

Its presence sustains us.

When it's absent, it brings despair.

And when it rages, it has the power to disrupt and reshape our world.

As this journey comes to an end, I think about everything it has brought me-- the people I've met, the places I've seen, and the lessons I've learned.

It has reaffirmed my love for the home I cherish and equipped me with the tools to share its stories far beyond our shores.

Water is not just a Kiribati story but a universal one.

Its currents connect us all, calling for compassion, understanding, and collective action.

What I learned is Kiribati is more than its islands and waters.

It is its people-- steadfast... creative... and unified in hope.

We now have the chance to share our story with the world, a story that shows we are more than a nation confronting environmental challenges, we are a resilient people with a unique culture and way of life.

Just like it always does, the sun will rise here tomorrow.

The first rays of sunshine will greet the world.

Just like it always has, tomorrow begins here.

Annie Drury: ♪ The night clears ♪ ♪ Summer has come ♪ ♪ Wind in your hair ♪ ♪ The way that you run ♪ ♪ Through the fields ♪ ♪ That makes us touch down to earth ♪ ♪ You're just a shadow of who you once were ♪ ♪ Daughter of the moon ♪ ♪ Sister of the sun... ♪ ♪ Your spirit of the earth ♪ ♪ Shines on and on ♪ ♪ You're a... ♪ ♪ Daughter of the moon ♪ ♪ A sister of the sun... ♪ Robert: Say hi to mom.

Ha ha!

Annie: ♪ Your spirit of the earth shines down ♪ ♪ On the ones you love... ♪ Robert: They're pretty good.

They're not bad.

Ha ha!

John: We're on Teraina Island, one of the most remote places... ♪ In the world ♪ A pretty awesome place.

The people are amazing, a super cool place, very nice.

Annie: ♪ We know the stories off by heart... ♪ Robert: Terminal 1, baby-- Fanning Island.

Whoo.

Annie: ♪ Tales of space, tales of planets and Mars ♪ John: We are in North Tarawa, and this is one of the many things they gave us for lunch.

I don't know.

This is some sort of cool crab/giant crab thing that I'm going to try.

[Cheering] John: It's really amazing how that just sort of sticks there, huh?

Annie: ♪ And the deep blue ♪ ♪ Daughter of the moon ♪ ♪ Sister of the sun ♪ ♪ Your spirit of the earth ♪ ♪ Shines on and on ♪ ♪ You're a daughter of the moon ♪ ♪ A sister of the sun ♪ ♪ Your spirit of the earth shines down ♪ ♪ On the ones you love ♪ ♪ The ones you love ♪ ♪ Oh oh ♪ ♪ On the ones you love ♪ ♪ And we'll see you in our dreams ♪ ♪ Runnin' so wild and free ♪ ♪ Just like a bird ♪ ♪ You will be ♪ ♪ Just fly high, baby ♪ ♪ Fly high, baby ♪