Irish Studies in International Affairs

Abstract:

Climate change has a powerful impact on those who inhabit small island developing states (SIDS). As climate change continues to redraw natural state boundaries a question arises as to the effects, both physical and psychological, of this on the peoples occupying these lands and zones and the lack of protections in place should environmental disaster strike. This paper draws attention to the multiple threats to the survival of indigenous groups by analysing the current legal protections and emphasises further dangers such as solastalgia, known as the distress caused by climate change and a mental health concern not currently protected against under International Law. This article will investigate the relationship between the concept of well-being under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and the impact of the current climate crisis on the well-being of indigenous peoples. It presents a detailed case study of the island state of Kiribati and indigenous peoples to highlight the gravity of the current climate emergency and the importance of interstate collaboration to combat the potentially catastrophic consequences within the Anthropocene epoch.