Home Water Dispatch 10 (Part 2) - Trying to Define Sustainable Development for Small Island Nations

For this episode I'm using my visit to Kiritimati (Christmas Island), Republic of Kiribati, to reflect on what sustainable development is for small island nations. There is a lot to unpack, including who should decide what sustainable development looks for remote islands with fragile ecosystems and indigenous communities that rely on them for their subsistence, culture, and heritage. The history of colonialism runs deep for some of these places, while developed nations are still imposing threats ranging from foreign demands for sea food (and sale of fishing rights) to sea level rise and other impacts of climate change. Also, how does tourism fit in to sustainable development, including for activities such as fishing and surfing. Can such activities be gentle on the environment, help support the economy, while also preserving local culture and heritage?
Specific to Kiritmati, check out this article about how the island was used for nuclear bomb testing: theconversatio...