AND WOMEN WITH NEW BABIES >> TODAY ON "EARTH FOCUS," A NEW LAW MAY PRIVATIZE INDONESIA'S COAST.

AT STAKE, THE LIVES OF COASTAL COMMUNITIES.

THE U.K.'s "ECOLOGIST TV" INVESTIGATES.

WE'LL SEE HOW MOUNTAINTOP COAL REMOVAL IS PULVERIZING WEST VIRGINIA, AND HOW SOLAR POWER IS TRANSFORMING RURAL ETHIOPIA, AND JENNIFER REDFEARN'S FILM, "SUN COME UP," EXPLORES WHY THE PEOPLE OF NEW GUINEA'S CARTERET ISLANDS ARE SEEKING A NEW HOME.

ALL COMING UP ON "EARTH FOCUS."

>> [SPEAKING INDONESIAN LANGUAGE] >> IT IS ONE OF THE LONGEST COASTLINES IN THE WORLD, AND IT IS ABOUT TO BE PUT ON SALE.

>> AT OVER 95,000 KILOMETERS IN LENGTH, INDONESIA'S COASTLINE IS ONE OF THE LARGEST IN THE WORLD.

MILLIONS OF PEOPLE DEPEND UPON THE COASTAL FORESTS, WETLANDS, AND ACCESS TO THE SEA FOR THEIR LIVELIHOOD.

A NEW LAW IN INDONESIA, HOWEVER, THREATENS TO EVICT COASTAL PEOPLE FROM THEIR OWN COMMONLY HELD LAND.

>> IF PASSED, THE COASTAL AREAS AND SMALL ISLAND MANAGEMENT LAW WILL GIVE PRIVATE CONCESSIONS FOR BUSINESSES TO MANAGE COASTAL ZONES ON CUMULATIVE LEASES LASTING 60 YEARS.

ADVOCATES OF THE CONTROVERSIAL LAW CLAIM THAT THE TRANSFORMATION OF COASTAL FOREST INTO INDUSTRIAL FARMING ZONES PROVIDES EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN REGIONS OTHERWISE STARVED OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

RIZA DAMANIK IS ONE OF THE LEADING CAMPAIGNERS FIGHTING AGAINST INDUSTRIAL PRAWN FARMING.

>> ACTIVISTS CLAIM THAT THE SURVIVAL OF THE COASTAL ENVIRONMENT AND THOSE OF THE COMMUNITIES WHO DEPEND ON THE COASTLINE ARE AT STAKE.

FOR THE FISHERMEN OF JAKARTA BAY, THOUGH, IT MAY ALREADY BE TOO LATE.

AS THE PRECIOUS MANGROVE FOREST HAS BEEN SLOWLY EATEN AWAY BY INDUSTRY, SO HAS THEIR LIVELIHOOD.

>> WITH THE PASSING OF THIS LAW, THE RURAL BACKWATERS AND MANGROVE FORESTS ACROSS INDONESIA ARE SUDDENLY UP FOR SALE, AND IT IS CLEAR TO SEE WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THEM.

INDUSTRIAL AGRICULTURE, MINING, AND COMMERCIAL TOURISM ENTERPRISES LOOK SET TO RAPIDLY INCREASE AS A RESULT OF THESE LONG-TERM TENURES OVER THE COASTLINES THAT PRIVATE INDUSTRIES WILL NOW BE ABLE TO HOLD.

>> THANKS TO EVER INCREASING DEMANDS FROM EUROPE AND THE USA, VAST SWATHS OF INDONESIAN COASTAL WETLANDS HAVE ALREADY BEEN DESTROYED AND TRANSFORMED INTO PRAWN FARMS WITHIN THE LAST 20 YEARS.

IN SUMATRA ALONE, IT IS ESTIMATED THAT OVER 70% OF THE MANGROVE FOREST HAS BEEN DESTROYED IN RECENT YEARS.

AND MUCH OF THIS LOSS IS ATTRIBUTABLE TO INDUSTRIAL PRAWN FARMING.

>> MOUNTAINTOP REMOVAL INVOLVES BLASTING THE TOPS OFF OF MOUNTAINS TO GET THE COAL.

IT'S THE MOST COMMON IN THE APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS, WHERE THE PRACTICE IS PITTING ENVIRONMENTALISTS AGAINST THOSE WHO RELY ON COAL FOR THEIR LIVING.

CHRIS CARMICHAEL AND SARA PEACH OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA, CHAPEL HILL, VISITED WEST VIRGINIA TO SEE THE STORY FIRSTHAND.

HERE'S THEIR REPORT.

>> MOUNTAINTOP REMOVAL IS A HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUE.

YOU CAN'T REPLACE MY WATER.

THERE IS NO REPLACING THAT.

THERE IS NO RECLAIMING THE LAND THAT'S BEEN DESTROYED.

IT WILL NEVER BE AGAIN WHAT IT ONCE WAS.

WE NEED TO DECIDE AS A COUNTRY, CAN WE REALLY KEEP DOING THIS?

CAN WE REALLY KEEP FLATTENING MOUNTAINS TO PRODUCE ENERGY?

>> MONEY.

LIVELIHOOD.

IF COAL GOES, THEN THE ENTIRE STATE GOES.

>> LET ME JUST MAKE A COUPLE OPENING COMMENTS.

FIRST, I THINK IT'S ONE THAT'S PRETTY OBVIOUS.

COAL IS IMPORTANT TO AMERICA.

THIS HEARING IS TO EXPLORE ONE METHOD THAT IS USED IN COAL MINING IN THE UNITED STATES, AND TO LOOK AT ITS ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH RISKS.

>> OK, I'M RIGHT HERE.

AND THIS IS CLAYS BRANCH THAT GOES UP.

IT'S-- IT'S PRETTY WELL BLOWED OUT NOW.

THEY BLOWED IT OFF FROM THERE-- I KEEP SAYING THIS, AND I TRULY BELIEVE THAT ONCE YOU LOOK AT MOUNTAINTOP REMOVAL AND WHAT IT'S DOING, IT'S INSANITY.

AND TO THINK THAT YOU CAN DO IT IS AN INSANE THOUGHT.

>> WEST VIRGINIA AND OUR NATION NEEDS JOBS AND WE NEED COAL.

AS WE MINE AND USE A NON-RENEWABLE RESOURCE, AND AS WE DEVELOP ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES, THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN THE STEEP, NARROW TERRAIN OF SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA NEED THE OPPORTUNITIES CREATED BY SURFACE MINING.

>> WE NEED OUR MINERS TO BE WORKING.

WE NEED THEM MINES.

WE NEED THE COAL OFF THE MOUNTAIN.

THERE'S ONLY ONE WAY TO GET IT OFF THE MOUNTAIN AND THAT'S MOUNTAINTOP REMOVAL.

>> THERE IS IRREFUTABLE SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE THAT THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF MOUNTAINTOP REMOVAL ARE SUBSTANTIAL AND THEY'RE PERMANENT.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF REASONS THE APPALACHIANS ARE FIGHTING FOR IT.

I MEAN, WHEN I WAS A KID, WE WERE POOR.

WE DIDN'T EVEN REALIZE IT, WE DIDN'T EVEN CARE.

IT WAS JUST NATURE.

IT WAS WHAT WAS GOING ON HERE.

GOING ON THE MOUNTAINS AND SPEND TWO OR 3 DAYS GINSENGING.

A DAY HUNTING WITH AN UNCLE, IT'S JUST ALL BEEN LOST, BECAUSE OUR COMMUNITIES ARE BEING DESTROYED.

>> THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS, NOW.

WHEN MY DAD WAS DOING IT, THERE WASN'T THESE PROTESTERS.

WHAT CHANGED?

DARYL HANNAH WAS DOWN HERE, SO ALL THE TREE HUGGERS WRAPPED ARMS WITH HER, AND THEY SAID IT WENT ON FOR ABOUT 3 HOURS.

THE ROAD WAS COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN.

THEY SAID IT WAS HORRIBLE.

>> ON ROUTE 3 OR JUST-- >> NO, ROUTE 3.

THEY SHUT DOWN ROUTE 3 COMPLETELY AND THE MINE.

THAT'S HOW MANY PEOPLE WAS DOWN THERE WITH HER, DOING A SIT-IN ON THE ROAD.

LIKE THEM TWO--THEM 3 IDIOTS THAT CHAINED THEMSELVES TO THE BACKHOE.

>> WE'VE GONE TO EVERY SOURCE WE COULD THINK OF TO BE LISTENED TO, AND TOTALLY IGNORED.

SO, WHAT ARE YOU FORCED TO DO, THEN?

WHEN SOMETHING IS SO WRONG, YOU HAVE TO CREATE A SITUATION SO GREAT, THE GOVERNMENT HAS TO ADDRESS IT.

>> THESE TWO GUYS OVER THERE-- [SIREN, DOGS BARKING, SHOUTING] >> I'M ALL FOR THE COAL MINERS.

KEEP PULLING THE COAL OFF THE MOUNTAIN, AND ANY PROTESTS OR RALLIES THEY WANT ME AT, I'M THEIR GIRL.

I'M READY TO FIGHT.

>> [CHANTING] THIS IS OUR STATE!

[CLAPPING] THIS IS OUR STATE!

[CLAPPING] THIS IS OUR STATE!

[CHEERING] >> BECAUSE AMERICA KNOWS, BECAUSE IS AMERICA IS APPALLED.

>> THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE A NON-VIOLENT CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE REVOLUTION IN THIS COUNTRY!

[CHEERING] >> SO WE ARE ALL OF US STANDING IN THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH.

>> NANCY, NANCY, NANCY, NANCY, NANCY, NANCY, NANCY, NANCY... [CHANTING CONTINUES] >> WELL, THERE'S NOTHING LEFT TO COMPROMISE.

WHAT DO WE GOT TO COMPROMISE?

NOTHING.

WHAT ARE WE GONNA DO, TELL THEM TO KILL US A LITTLE SLOWER?

THIS IS ABOUT ENDING IT ONCE AND FOR ALL.

>> ♪ ALL THAT I GIVE YOU MY HEART'S STANDING BY IT IS ALL THAT I HAVE TO BESTOW OH, FAST TO THE RIGHT, OH... ♪ >> IT'S JUST BEEN A GRADUAL BUILD TO--I THINK, NOW, IT IS ESSENTIALLY A MOVEMENT.

ONCE IT BEGINS A MOVEMENT, I DON'T THINK IT CAN BE STOPPED, AND I THINK WE WILL END MOUNTAINTOP REMOVAL.

AND IT'S THE FIRST TIME I'VE EVER FELT THAT WAY.

>> ♪ YOU HAVE LEARNED FROM YOUR MOTHER AT HOME ♪ >> I DON'T THINK THEY'RE WINNING.

I THINK OUR LAWMAKERS KNOW WHAT THIS COUNTRY HAS TO HAVE TO OPERATE.

I DON'T THINK THAT WE CAN AFFORD NOT TO HAVE COAL.

>> THEY CAN HELP THEMSELVES BY JUST JOINING US AND DEMANDING OF STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO CREATE A DIVERSE ECONOMY IN WEST VIRGINIA.

OTHER STATES ARE BUILDING TOWARDS THE GREEN INDUSTRY.

WHAT WE ARE DOING?

WE ARE NOT DOING ANYTHING.

WE'RE STAYING FARTHER AND FARTHER BEHIND THIS, ALWAYS THE LAST.

WE WERE LAST IN EVERYTHING.

WE ARE LAST IN HAPPINESS.

>> I HAVE SO MANY FAMILY MEMBERS IN THE MINES.

I WORRY WHAT THEY'RE GONNA DO IF PUSH COMES TO SHOVE.

>> WHEN YOU'RE MESSING WITH PEOPLE'S LIVING, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THEIR LIVELIHOOD.

YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT-- HELL, YOU KNOW, WHAT PAYS THE BILLS, WHAT FEEDS YOU.

>> IT'S NOT MY JOB TO CREATE A JOB FOR THEM.

MY JOB IS TO GET THEM TO STOP KILLING PEOPLE, BECAUSE WE ARE DYING A SLOW DEATH WITH THIS AIR THAT WE'RE BREATHING AND THE WATER WE'RE DRINKING.

>> IS THERE ANY EFFECTIVE WAY TO REVERSE THIS AFTER THE DAMAGE HAS BEEN DONE?

>> WELL, SO FAR, THERE'S NO SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE THAT THAT CAN BE DONE.

>> EVERYONE'S LOOKING AT IT SO HORRIBLY.

THEY PUT THE MOUNTAIN BACK.

THEY PLANT TREES, THEY MAKE IT GRASSY AGAIN.

MEN GO THERE TO HUNT.

SO IT'S NOT LIKE THE MINES AIN'T DOING EVERYTHING THAT THEY CAN TO MAKE EVERYBODY HAPPY, BUT YOU CAN'T MAKE EVERYBODY HAPPY.

THAT'S JUST NOT GOING TO HAPPEN, 'CAUSE THERE'S NO MAKING THEM HAPPY UNTIL THEY SHUT THE MINE DOWN.

>> I MEAN, WE'VE GOT A LOT OF COAL RESERVES LEFT.

MINEABLE FOR YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS.

BUT JUST BECAUSE IT'S GONNA RUN OUT ONE OF THESE DAYS IS NO REASON TO KNEE-JERK NOW ABOUT IT.

YOU KNOW, THAT GIVES US PLENTY ENOUGH TIME TO MAKE PREPARATIONS FOR WHEN IT DOES.

>> THIS IS OUR INFRASTRUCTURE.

APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS IS VITAL TO DRINKING WATER ALL OVER THE MID-ATLANTIC AND THE EASTERN PART OF THE UNITED STATES.

PAY THESE GUYS WITH THE STIMULUS MONEY TO START PUTTING THE DAMN MOUNTAIN BACK AND LET'S STOP THIS INSANITY.

THESE GUYS DON'T HAVE TO LOSE THEIR JOBS.

>> EVERYBODY TURN OFF YOUR POWER FOR A WEEK, AND IF YOU CAN SURVIVE, COME HERE AND PROTEST.

UNTIL THEN, LEAVE US ALONE.

I DON'T GO TO YOUR STATE STICKING MY NOSE IN YOUR BUSINESS.

DON'T COME TO MINE.

>> SOLAR POWER IS CHANGING THE LIVES OF RURAL ETHIOPIANS.

IT'S MORE THAN JUST A SOURCE OF ENERGY.

SOLAR POWER MEANS BETTER HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND GREATER PROSPERITY.

U.K.-BASED "ROCKHOPPER TV" VISITS ETHIOPIA TO HAVE A LOOK.

>> FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE REMOTE HIGHLANDS OF ETHIOPIA, GRID ELECTRICITY IS A DISTANT DREAM.

WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN HERE, THE ONLY LIGHT IS FROM WOOD FIRES OR KEROSENE LAMPS.

THEY'RE DARK, HOT, SMOKY, AND DANGEROUS.

BUT ONE VILLAGE, REMA, HAS A VERY MODERN ANSWER TO THIS ANCIENT PROBLEM: SOLAR ELECTRICITY.

>> THE SOLAR LIGHT IS LIKE GOLD.

BEFORE, USING FIREWOOD AND KEROSENE, I'D HAVE TO BLOW MY NOSE ALL THE TIME BECAUSE THE GAS WAS SUFFOCATING ME.

BUT NOW, I LIVE IN PEACE AND I'M HAPPY.

>> THE KEROSENE WAS NO GOOD.

IT WAS SMOKY AND WENT OUT VERY EASILY.

BUT THE NEW LIGHT IS WONDERFUL.

>> THESE SOLAR PANELS MEAN THAT NOW, AT THE FLICK OF A SWITCH, THE VILLAGERS HAVE CLEAN, RELIABLE LIGHT.

THEY'RE THE WORK OF STIFTUNG SOLARENERGIE, THE SOLAR ENERGY FOUNDATION.

4 YEARS AGO, THE PEOPLE OF REMA HEARD ABOUT THE FOUNDATION'S WORK AND ASKED THEM TO COME.

OVER A THOUSAND VILLAGERS TURNED OUT TO MEET MANAGER SAMSON TSEGAYE AND HIS TEAM.

>> THEY REALLY ARE SURPRISED HOW IT WORKS.

SOMETIMES THEY DIDN'T BELIEVE US AND AS WE SAY WE GET THE POWER FROM THE SUN.

THEY WORRY A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WINTER, RAINY SEASON AND IT WILL NOT WORK LIKE THIS.

IF RAIN COMES OR NOT IN ETHIOPIA, WE ARE RICH OF SUN.

>> ALMOST ALL OF THE VILLAGERS SIGNED UP FOR THE SOLAR SYSTEMS.

SO, TO MEET THE DEMAND, THE FOUNDATION SET UP A SOLAR ENERGY SCHOOL IN REMA TO TRAIN TECHNICIANS TO INSTALL AND MAINTAIN THE SYSTEMS.

>> WE TRAIN THEM AS SOLAR ENERGY MANAGERS.

THEY CAN MANAGE EVERYTHING.

AND SO WE TRAIN THEM AS AN ACCOUNTANT, BECAUSE WE WANT THEM TO HAVE THEIR OWN BUSINESS IN THE FUTURE.

>> [SPEAKING AMHARIC] >> MENA HIMICHEAL WAS ONE OF THE FIRST TO GRADUATE.

TODAY SHE'S MEETING HABIB TESSEMA, YET ANOTHER NEW CUSTOMER.

MENA KNOWS ONLY TOO WELL WHAT A DIFFERENCE SOLAR-POWERED LIGHT CAN MAKE.

>> AFTER WE STARTED WORKING HERE WE SAW SOMETHING TERRIBLE.

A BOY WAS USING KEROSENE LIGHT AND THE FUEL POURED ALL OVER HIM, AND HE WAS BURNT.

IF SOLAR PANELS HAD REACHED HERE ONE OR TWO YEARS AGO, THIS BOY PROBABLY WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN HURT.

>> WHILE THE SOLAR TECHNICIANS TAKE CARE OF DAY-TO-DAY MAINTENANCE, OTHER VILLAGERS LIKE TIRUWORK TASEW COLLECT A SMALL MONTHLY FEE FROM EACH FAMILY.

THIS ENSURES THE SYSTEMS ARE KEPT WORKING WELL INTO THE FUTURE.

>> [SPEAKING AMHARIC] ON THE 19th DAY OF THE MONTH, PEOPLE COME HERE AND THEY QUEUE UP TO PAY.

AND IF THERE'S ANY PROBLEM WITH THEIR SYSTEM, THEY TELL US AND IT WILL BE FIXED BY A TECHNICIAN.

>> IT'S NOT JUST LIGHT THAT'S BRIGHTENING UP THE VILLAGERS' LIVES.

THE FOUNDATION HAS ALSO USED SOLAR POWER TO PUMP WATER INTO THE HEART OF THE VILLAGE.

>> THE ADVANTAGE IS WE GET WATER RIGHT AT OUR DOORS.

ALL LADIES, PREGNANT WOMEN, AND WOMEN WITH NEW BABIES CAN ALL GET WATER ON THEIR DOORSTEPS.

PREVIOUSLY, WE HAD TO FETCH WATER FROM FAR AWAY AT THE RIVER AND WAIT IN LINE THERE.

BUT NOW THAT WE GET WATER RIGHT HERE, IT'S A HUGE BENEFIT.

>> LESS TIME SPENT FETCHING WATER AND LONGER DAYS UNDER ELECTRIC LIGHTS MEANS BUSINESSES ARE BOOMING.

>> [SPEAKING AMHARIC] INSTEAD OF WORKING THE WHOLE DAY, IF YOU WORK IN THE EVENING WHEN IT'S COOL, YOUR MIND IS FREE.

SO YOU CAN'T COMPARE WORKING IN THE DAYTIME WITH WORKING IN THE EVENING.

EVENING WORK IS MORE PRODUCTIVE BECAUSE IT'S COOL.

YOU DON'T FEEL THE HEAT FROM THE LIGHTS, AND BECAUSE THERE'S NO HEAT, IT'S COMFORTABLE TO WORK.

AND IT ENCOURAGES YOU TO WORK.

[STUDENTS CHATTERING] >> MOST IMPRESSIVE OF ALL IS THE EFFECT SOLAR POWER IS HAVING ON EDUCATION.

>> THEY GET EVERYTHING THEY NEED THROUGH SOLAR ENERGY.

THEY DO THEIR HOMEWORK, THEY CAN MEET UP WITH THEIR FAMILIES IN THE EVENING, AND THEY HAVE FREE TIME TO PLAY AND RELAX.

BECAUSE OF SOLAR ENERGY, THE NUMBER OF EDUCATED PEOPLE HERE IS INCREASING.

>> THE FOUNDATION IS CONTINUING TO EXPAND, AND NOW THEY HAVE 4 MORE SOLAR CENTERS IN OTHER PARTS OF RURAL ETHIOPIA.

THEY HOPE THE GROWING POPULARITY OF SOLAR ENERGY WILL REDUCE THE PRESSURE ON RURAL PEOPLE TO MIGRATE TO THE CITIES.

TODAY, IT'S HABIB'S TURN TO HAVE HIS SYSTEM INSTALLED.

>> [SPEAKING AMHARIC] IT MAKES ME DEEPLY HAPPY TO HAVE REACHED MY AGE AND TO GET SUCH A LIGHT.

TODAY THE SUN HAS RISEN FOR US, AND OUR CHILDREN ARE REJOICING, TOO.

>> I'M VERY HAPPY TO HAVE JOINED THE ORGANIZATION.

WHEN YOU SEE THE GROUP'S ACTIVITIES, IT GIVES YOU GREAT PLEASURE TO SEE THEIR PROBLEMS SOLVED.

TO SEE THE PEOPLE OF OUR COUNTRY TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THIS, TO SEE THEIR HOPES FLOURISHING, IT GIVES ME GREAT PLEASURE.

>> A NEW FILM PROFILED SOME OF THE WORLD'S FIRST CLIMATE CHANGE REFUGEES, THE PEOPLE OF NEW GUINEA'S CARTERET ISLANDS.

JENNIFER REDFEARN IS A DIRECTOR, PRODUCER, AND WRITER BASED IN NEW YORK.

SHE SPEAKS WITH "EARTH FOCUS" CORRESPONDENT MILES BENSEN ABOUT "SUN COME UP," HER FIRST INDEPENDENT DOCUMENTARY FILM.

>> JENN REDFEARN, YOU SPENT SOME TIME ON THE CARTERET ISLANDS MAKING A FILM.

WHAT'S GOING ON THERE?

>> THE CARTERET ISLANDS ARE, LIKE OTHER SMALL ISLAND NATIONS, ON THE FRONT LINES OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

SO THE CARTERET ISLANDERS ARE THE FIRST TO ORGANIZE A COMMUNITY-WIDE EVACUATION DUE TO CLIMATE CHANGE, SPECIFICALLY DUE TO RISING SEA LEVELS.

SO, BECAUSE OF THE RISING SEA AND BECAUSE OF CHANGES IN THE CLIMATE, THEY ARE SEEING THINGS LIKE MORE FREQUENT STORM SURGES.

THEIR FRESH WATER SOURCES AND THEIR GARDENING LAND HAVE BEEN INUNDATED BY SALTWATER.

SO THE CARTERET ISLANDERS ACTUALLY HAVE 3 PRESSING AND URGENT PROBLEMS RIGHT NOW.

THEY HAVE A FOOD AND WATER SHORTAGE, THEY HAVE DECREASING LAND DUE TO RAPID COASTAL EROSION, AND THEY HAVE AN INCREASING POPULATION, WHICH ISN'T DUE TO CLIMATE CHANGE, BUT IT'S PUTTING PRESSURE ON THE LAND.

SO THEY KNEW THAT THEY HAVE TO MOVE, AND TIME IS RUNNING OUT.

>> DO THEY HAVE ANY PLACE TO GO?

>> WELL, THEY ARE LOOKING AT MOVING TO BOUGAINVILLE, WHICH IS A MUCH LARGER AND MOUNTAINOUS ISLAND 50 MILES ACROSS THE OPEN OCEAN.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE DID IN THE FILM WHILE WE WERE THERE IS WE FOLLOWED A GROUP OF YOUNG PEOPLE WHO WERE HAND-SELECTED BY THE CLAN CHIEFS FROM THE CARTERET ISLANDS TO GO TO BOUGAINVILLE AND TO TRAVEL FROM VILLAGE TO VILLAGE TO TALK TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY ABOUT THE MOVE, AND TO TRY AND NEGOTIATE FOR-- ESSENTIALLY FOR A NEW HOME FOR THE ISLANDERS.

>> [SPEAKING TOK PISIN] >> [SPEAKING TOK PISIN] >> [SPEAKING TOK PISIN] >> [SPEAKING TOK PISIN] >> HOW MANY CARTERET ISLANDERS ARE ACTUALLY AT RISK IN THIS CURRENT PERIOD?

>> THE POPULATION IS JUST UNDER 3,000, AND THE MAJORITY OF THE POPULATION IS LOOKING AT MOVING.

SOME OF THE ELDERS ON THE ISLAND ARE VERY RELUCTANT TO MOVE, AS YOU CAN IMAGINE.

I MEAN, THIS IS A REGION OF THE WORLD WHERE LAND IS SO INTIMATELY CONNECTED TO ONE'S IDENTITY, TO ONE'S ANCESTRY, TO ONE'S HISTORY, TO ONE'S COMMUNITY, AND FOR THE ELDERS, LEAVING IS LIKE LOSING A PART OF THEMSELVES.

IT'S A REALLY DIFFICULT DECISION FOR THEM TO MAKE.

FOR EXAMPLE, I'M THINKING OF ONE OF THE CLAN CHIEFS, JOHN SALLIK, WHO'S IN THE FILM, WHO'S JUST THIS--HE'S A VERY GENEROUS, WARM, KIND-HEARTED MAN WHO'S-- HE'S A SCHOOLTEACHER ON THE ISLAND, AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HE SAID TO US IS, YOU KNOW, "I'LL PROBABLY BE THE LAST MAN TO PUT MY FOOT ON THE ISLAND BEFORE MOVING AWAY, BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO LEAVE MY HOME.

I LOVE MY HOME."

>> AT THE RATE CLIMATE CHANGE IS ADVANCING, HOW MUCH TIME DO THESE PEOPLE HAVE TO GET OUT?

>> IT'S NOT SO MUCH THEY'RE BEING FORCED-- THAT THE OCEAN IS GOING TO BE UNDERWATER ANYTIME SOON.

THE PROBLEM IS THAT WITH THE SALTWATER INUNDATION, THEY ARE NO LONGER ABLE TO GROW CROPS, THEY'VE LOST THEIR STAPLE FOOD, WHICH IS SWAMP TARO, ON THE ISLAND.

SO THIS FOOD, THAT'S LIKE A POTATO, THAT WAS PART OF THEIR SUBSISTENCE DIET, IS NO LONGER ABLE TO GROW ON THE ISLANDS.

SO, BEFORE THE ISLANDS ARE SUBMERGED, THEY'LL BE UNINHABITABLE LONG BEFORE-- >> SO IT'S RIGHT NOW, IT'S A RIGHT NOW TIME-- >> IT'S RIGHT NOW BECAUSE THEY'RE RUNNING OUT OF FOOD AND WATER, YEAH.

>> WHAT WAS LIFE LIKE ON THE CARTERET ISLANDS BEFORE THE PROBLEMS BECAME AS SEVERE AS THEY ARE?

>> THE CARTERET ISLANDERS ARE A CLOSE-KNIT COMMUNITY, SO THE POPULATION IS SCATTERED ACROSS 6-- THEY'RE 6 NOW, 7 ISLANDS.

ONE OF THE ISLANDS 15 YEARS AGO WAS BISECTED BY THE SEA.

THE MAJORITY OF THE POPULATION LIVES ON HAN ISLAND, WHICH IS THE LARGEST ISLAND, AND THEY LIVE BY THE SEA.

THEY LIVE IN HUTS MADE OUT OF NATURAL MATERIALS.

THEY'RE STILL FISHING OUT OF HAND--YOU KNOW--CARVED CANOES, FOR THE MOST PART.

I MEAN, THERE ARE SOME MODERN CONVENIENCES, BUT FOR THE MOST PART THEY'RE LIVING QUITE SIMPLY BY THE SEA.

>> AND THAT'S ALL BEING DESTROYED.

>> IT'S ALL BEING DESTROYED.

>> JENN REDFEARN, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.