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Image: Raimon Kataotao/Humans of Kiribati
A king tide event in Kiribati. Image: Raimon Kataotao/Humans of Kiribati
E-flyer created by one of the participants
Kiribati Youth Master New Life Skills
During this practical activity, all the participants shared images videos and graphics on their mobile devices and send them using
Early Warning Systems & Climate Science Communication and videos of king tide events that they had captured previously, their online social networks to their families, friends and members
illustrating the interest and skills in content creation that youth in of their community.
Born and raised in Kiribati with a passion for ocean conservation On World Meteorological Day (23 March) this year, Tiein organised this information age possess. In less than forty-five minutes, more
and youth mobilisation for ocean-based climate action, Tiein Taebo a one-day training on how to interpret a tide predictions calendar than 10 digital communications products were created. From interpreting climate information, to creating compelling
assists with the coordination of the Tungaru Youth Action network – and use online software to create early warning graphics on mobile content and sharing it with those who would be able to act, this
the first youth-led organisation in Kiribati, serving as Vice President. devices. The final session in this training focussed on identifying distribution youth-led activity provides insight into how the landscape of early
channels and the members of the community who needed the warning systems is evolving and where interventions can be made
Tiein vehemently believes that the I-Kiribati culture and the identity Participants were also trained on how to use social media to share easy-to-understand information. Group chats for family and friends, to save lives.
of people from the Big Ocean State are strongly connected to the early warning alerts to their social networks to encourage their Facebook Groups and TikTok followers were quickly identified as
the ocean. As a young woman on the frontline of severe hazards, family and friends to take early action. This training was funded by most appropriate for these messages. Most importantly, the youth By Patricia Mallam, Intra-ACP ClimSA - SPREP
such as drought, king tides and marine heatwaves, she spends the European Union-funded Intra-ACP Climate Services and Re- highlighted that persons with disabilities needed to receive this
her weekends and evenings organising training and knowledge lated Applications Programme (ClimSA) and delivered by Patricia information, and in doing so, adapted some of the content created
exchange programmes to support the youth of Kiribati. Mallam, Knowledge Broker for the Pacific Project. The training was by adding sub-titles, audio and colours.
supported by Erietera Aram, Country Coordinator for the Australia
Pacific Climate Alumni Network (APCAN). “I strongly believe that the training on interpreting climate information
“As a young person in this era, basic products and using online apps on mobile devices are crucial for
life skills also include knowing how Held in the American Corner at the Kiribati National Library and information dissemination in a generation where the internet and
Archives in Bariki, Tarawa, twenty-two youth aged between 14 to 25 social media are more commonly used to communicate,” reflected
to interpret climate information and years attended the training, of which twenty were female. Despite Tiein at the end of the training.
the seriousness of the training, it was peppered with sporadic
how to use digital communications bursts of jokes and laughter, as the young participants learned to Tiein shared that youth in Kiribati are constantly accessing
tools.” interpret a tide predictions calendar. information online, no matter where they are, as long as they have
- Tiein Taebo, Tungaru Youth The tide predictions calendar used for this training was specific to an internet connection. This has become a basic life skill – one that
Action has the potential to save lives when used with intention.
Betio and provided by the Climate and Oceans Support Programme
in the Pacific (COSPPac). These tide prediction calendars are “This training is so timely because the next king tides occur in
available in printed versions from National Meteorological Services 2-weeks time, and according to the tide predictions calendar, they
in most Pacific Island countries and online on the Pacific Oceans occur at in the early hours of the morning (around 4:46am) when
Portal Library. most are in deep sleep and least likely to be prepared. We have
time to send out early warning messages and ensure our families
After successfully grasping the skill to interpret the tide predictions and communities are prepared,” she explained.
calendar, the youth were introduced to Canva, a versatile graphic
design tool used to create visually engaging content. Each of the As a result of this training, at least 80% of the youth trained were
youth developed compelling graphics and some even created short able to successfully develop early warning messages in the form of
videos, with detailed information about the upcoming king tides in
Betio.

• To find out more about the Intra-ACP Climate Services and Related Applications Programme, visit www.sprep.org/climsa.
• For more information on Tide Prediction Calendars, please contact the National Meteorological Services in your country.

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