AS long as we are able to adapt with the increasing damage we will stay, says Kiribati Lands and Environment Minister Tebao Awerika.
Mr Awerika said this was because of the close affinity that the people of Kiribati had with their homeland.
Less than 10 per cent of i-Kiribati people, according to Mr Awerika prefer to leave their country and settle in a new place if given a chance.
Mr Awerika said the people of Kiribati were not going to leave their island any time soon.
“The damage from the climate change is mainly due to the slow onset of sea level rise,” he said.
“What we are feeling right now is coastal erosion and seawater inundation and it is a serious issue.
“However, we are hopeful that we can get assistance from our development partners where we can build our lands so it can be resistant to the changes.
“For those who want to move, I would say the percentage of that population is probably about less than 10 per cent,” he said.
“As long as they are able to adapt with the increasing damage they will stay.”
Mr Awerika told the people of Naviavia in Cakaudrove, where the Kiribati Government had recently purchased a 5000 acre land, not to worry about their arrival because it may take time before that happens.
