The agony of Nauru, the island “that ate itself”

Nestled in the heart of the Pacific, the island of Nauru is today paying the consequences of the intensive exploitation of its natural resources, in particular phosphate.

Shérazade Zaiter / the conversation

The Republic of the island of Nauru, a tiny jewel lost in the immensity of the Pacific Ocean, illustrates in a chilling manner the consequences of environmental corruption. Described as the “country that ate itself”, located nearly 4,835 kilometers from Australia, it covers only 22 square kilometers.

Its central plateau is surrounded by a coastal strip, where most of its population is concentrated. The origin of its misfortune began in 1906, when immense phosphate deposits were discovered on this plateau. His cornucopia opened Pandora’s box, and thus began the slow agony of the island of Nauru.

Phosphate is a valuable salt, used in the manufacture of fertilizers and explosives. Rich in phosphorus, it is an essential element for plant growth, it increases crop yield. This mineral deposit, whose quality is the best in the world, covers 70% of the island.

From prosperity to the collapse

German settlers initially benefited from its exploitation, then Australia took over in 1914, taking control of the island until 1968. That year, Nauru became the smallest republic in the world. Its independence brought it unprecedented economic prosperity.

By continuing the export of phosphate, Nauru experienced rapid growth in wealth. In 1974, the country had the second highest gross domestic product per capita in the world, generating A$225 million. Nauru has successfully established a model of a tax-free welfare state, where education, transport, health services and even housing are entirely supported by the state, at no cost to its citizens.

In the early 1990s, with the decline of phosphate deposits, Nauru’s economy fell into crisis. Despite the government’s real estate investments to counter this situation, they have proven disastrous. Embezzlement and corruption scandals involving politicians and influential figures have erupted. Contributing to the deterioration of infrastructure and public services.

Political choices made it easier to grant favorable contracts to foreign companies in exchange for favors, leading to disastrous consequences. With increasing seizures, a collapse of industry and a succession of governments, Nauru has been forced to develop various strategies to restore its finances.

This included the laundering of foreign money, the sale of passports and even the paid hosting of illegal refugees, which attracted negative attention from organizations such as the UN, OECD and Amnesty International.

Disfigured landscapes

The most common method of mining was strip mining. It consists of removing the layers of earth, sand and rocks which cover the phosphate deposits. Heavy machinery, such as excavators and bulldozers, was used to extract phosphate rocks.

The landscapes have been profoundly modified, with large deforested areas and craters left by phosphate mining. Trenching was preferred, when phosphate deposits were close to the surface. The trenches were dug to reach the phosphate layers, removing the layers of earth and sand using excavators. It has led to harmful impacts on the environment, with major disruptions to the landscape and soil.

Marine dredging was used to extract phosphates from marine deposits near Nauru. This technique consists of using boats equipped with dredging devices to vacuum up marine sediments containing phosphate. The sediment mixture was then treated to extract the phosphate. Marine ecosystems have been severely disrupted, affecting marine flora and fauna and modifying coastal habitats.

Soil and water pollution

More recently, in situ dissolution recovery has been used. This technique involves the injection of a chemical solution into the phosphate layers to dissolve it. The solution is then pumped and treated. While this method has reduced direct environmental damage, it has led to problems with chemical waste management, with pollution of soil and groundwater. The environmental consequences are unimaginable.

80% of land is devastated, and 40% of coral reefs are dead. Ecosystems, once rich and diverse, are cruelly altered. Natural habitats, devoted for millennia to a multitude of plant and animal species, reduced to pieces. Toxic residues, such as heavy metals and harmful chemicals, infiltrate once-thriving lands. The barren and depleted soils, now subject to erosion, are giving way to sad desertification. Rivers once clear and alive are tainted, their purity transformed into a murky mirror of contamination.

The once vibrant coral belt is now a shadow of its former self. Discharges from mining have degraded marine habitats. Marine biodiversity, rich and thriving, silenced. As if that were not enough, Nauru’s geographical location makes the country particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels, a direct consequence of climate change. Sooner or later, the inhabitants will have to leave their island for their own survival. Another question will then arise: which State will open its arms to them?

Disaster sanitary

Beyond the visible damage, the environmental devastation has also affected local communities. The economic dependence, brought by this precious resource, proved a difficult burden to bear. Poor management creates excessive dependence on the importation of goods and food products. The island has experienced too rapid a transition to a sedentary lifestyle.

Added to this, the diet heavily based on imported products, rich in sugars and fats, directly affects the well-being and health of the inhabitants: this results in an alarming increase in obesity and associated diseases, such as as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Nauru has become one of the countries most affected by obesity, boasting one of the highest rates in the world. Smoking is also widespread, with 47% regular smokers. Infant, juvenile and adult mortality rates are high, life expectancy is 55 years on average, 49 for men. The natural environment of the island, which has suffered alarming deterioration, no longer allows the 14,000 inhabitants to engage in physical activities and have a healthy lifestyle.

Accept corruption or perish

The island of Nauru reminds us of the tragic consequences irresponsible exploitation of natural resources. This unconscious management has led to a spiral of corruption and compromise, endangering the stability and development of the island. To ensure its survival and preserve its future, it faces a difficult dilemma, that of accepting corruption or perishing.

Its precarious economic state creates an open door to all kinds of compromises and dubious transactions. A striking example is the monthly payment made to the eighteen parliamentarians making up its National Assembly. This sum of money comes from Taiwan’s coffers. This is a bribe, intended to thank Nauru for recognizing it as a sovereign and independent nation.

This is a common practice in the Pacific Islands, which Asian countries have introduced in an attempt to curry favor with the region’s 11 micro-island states. This strategy allows them to benefit from the support of these nations during important votes at the United Nations General Assembly. Other examples exist, such as Russia’s promise to repair Nauru’s ruined port. In exchange for this work, the island agreed to recognize South Ossetia and Abkhazia, two autonomous provinces of Georgia invaded in 2008 by Russia, as independent territories.

Nauru shows us that environmental deterioration affects the rights to life, health, work and education. Due to its small size and lack of available data, it is not taken into account in the corruption perception index. It is difficult to get a complete and accurate picture of its level of corruption.

Its limited size and population may offer opportunities to put in place more transparent governance measures and more effective anti-corruption mechanisms. The country could thus strengthen trust and transparency within international institutions. This would help consolidate citizen confidence and ensure responsible management of public affairs.

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Watson changed the title and subtitles. Click here to read the original article