When Eritai Kateibwi won the UN Young Champion of the Earth award in 2017, he was thrilled. Mostly, because he wanted the award to draw attention to the plight of thousands on his sinking island.
The thirty-two islands of Kiribati are at the forefront of climate impacts. Some predict that the islands could be completely under water in the next 50 years. Rising sea levels have other implications, with invading salt water and receding land making it difficult to farm.
Fresh fruits and vegetables are hard to come by. Imported food is often expensive and with one road running down the centre of the island, transportation to the estimated 120,428 people is cumbersome. Malnutrition is the leading cause of death for children aged less than 5 years.
But two years after winning his prize, Kateibwi is already bringing about real change. His solution to the rising sea levels and lack of nutritious food has been to invent a unique hydroponic system, which uses a locally available nutrient solution to make food without soil.
“We are really on the frontline here. I saw my community struggling to feed their families. The lack of healthy and nutritious food made my heart sink. I felt strongly that I could find a solution to this and wanted to use my technical background to achieve it.”
Two years later, Kateibwi’s Te Maeu project has provided hundreds of families with hydroponic units supplying fresh cabbages, peppers, melons and zucchini. His colorful demonstration plots have shown farming families how to start their own garden.
“When I first heard about growing crops without soil, it was mind-blowing. The idea has taken off in Europe—but we just can’t find the same kind of nutrient-dense solutions and equipment here. So, I started experimenting, and made my own fertilizer.”
Kateibwi is now on track to receive a grant from Rotary International to multiply his technology. Already, he is distributing 500 new units in the community. Some of the families he delivers the units to are already completely under water at some times of the day.
“The world still sees us as a sinking island, but we have to do our best when we’re afloat. I will do whatever it takes to make sure our people have access to healthy food in the meantime,” he said, adding that sharing his story and making other people aware of Kiribati’s plight is critical.
Do you want to be a Young Champion of the Earth in 2019? We encourage everyone who wants to make a difference for our planet to apply for the Young Champion of the Earth prize, powered by Covestro. Apply today! The portal is open until March 31st.
