Have you ever heard of Carteret Island, located in South Pacific, only 50 miles off the coast of Papua New Guinea? Well neither have I, up until few days ago, when I stumbled upon a documentary called “Sun Come Up”. It is coming to selective cities in the US, for screening in June. So keep your eyes and ears open.
Let me give you a little synopsis of the documentary, which is quite interesting, yet sad. “Sun come up” is a documentary that follows the lives of world’s first climate change refugees. Inhabitance of this tiny island is only 3,000. It is definitely a remote island, yet centuries old rich tradition, filled with music, dance and storytelling encompasses the islanders everyday life. However, modern day crisis has changed their lives completely. Climate change is destroying their livelihood; high tides have destroyed their crops, vegetation and plant life at an alarming rate.
For years, islanders fought to contain the ocean but have been unsuccessful in keeping the salt water away. They have no choice left but to leave their beloved homeland which has kept them in peace and happiness for centuries. Their main concern is to lose their culture, language and tradition.
You might wonder where will they relocate? Well, they are planning to relocate to a near by Island called Bougainville. However, there has been 10-year-old civil war going on with Papua New Guinea, which devastated the islands peaceful coexistence. This unrest is due to the outrage of the locals who were fed up with the Australian based copper mining company destroying their land, rivers and the general habitat.
The villagers of Bougainville are traumatized by 10-year-old crisis, which the Australian mining company has wittingly caused. You can imagine the situation the Carteret Islanders are finding themselves in. They are leaving behind a peaceful existence on a remote island and will try to adjust to a much more aggressive and violent environment.
This documentary is about the human face of climate change and a people faced with the loss of land. A must see documentary! I believe it raises questions of global responsibility, the effects of climate change and how to be responsible citizen in a world of diminishing natural resources….
WATCH THE TRAILER
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* The above photo belongs to me, taken in Jamaica
7 Comments:
I'll have to keep an eye out for this film. Sadly we will see many more examples of this sort of move. I dread to think what will happen when large tracts of Bangladesh become uninhabitable
http://www.homesdubai.com/images/dubai-project-the-world.jpg
And what about those "poor" suckers that bought real estate in Dubai? My heart goes out to them (NOT)
I can't see the trailers or Youtubes, Nevin as I'm reduced to dialup dementia while I live here.
Re these the same island inhabitants that were denied refuge by the UK (and also responsiblity?)
It rings a bell.
XO
WWW
The world will be a very different place in 50 years from now. OK, I will not be around the see the dreadful conditions, but I feel sorry for my kids and their kids.... The selfish ways we have lived will be the responsibility of our grandchildren... :(
Another interesting Posting Nevin, I used to Live in Indonesia and they were still finding new deserted islands with humans living in it, that has no idea of outside world, I wonder why they don't try those islands to immigrate? It will be easer I guess and it is close by.
Global responsibility?? Fair Trade who does it? Especially developed countries??
Nomad, I don't understand your comment, I do live in Dubai and was property Manager recently for Palm Jumeirah, yes constructions and quality of the buildings are fairly poor, but don't get your point on this article?
The image that you put out; it is already 90% sold to people who are world's top rich buyers, surcasticly I am sure you are worried, but they already made their money way long ago on those properties so don't worry (sure you do).
Thanks Derya. I am glad you enjoyed it.... :)
It is a very serious environmental and political problem.:(
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