It is a South Pacific nation that is among those facing the most immediate existential threat from climate change.

In the Solomon Islands, entire communities are already being relocated from low-lying lands because of rising oceans. Five atolls – all non-inhabited – have been submerged completely.

So, when young climate change protesters there joined students across the world demonstrating against global warming on Friday, they did not take to the streets.

They took, symbolically, to the seas.

The teenagers and adult allies entered the water in a bid to convey the sheer scale of the threat to this 900-island, 560,000 micro-country.

Global Climate Strike - Best Photos Show all 65 1 /65 Global Climate Strike - Best Photos Global Climate Strike - Best Photos London, UK Millions across world demand urgent action to save planet in largest environmental protest in history Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent Global Climate Strike - Best Photos Zagreb, Croatia TOPSHOT - Students and activists hold up a globe as they take part during the Global Climate Strike march downtown Zagreb, Croatia, on September 20, 2019. - Zagreb's citizens gather at the Croatia capital's main square to protest against climate change. (Photo by Denis LOVROVIC / AFP)DENIS LOVROVIC/AFP/Getty Images DENIS LOVROVIC AFP/Getty Global Climate Strike - Best Photos London, UK Millions across world demand urgent action to save planet in largest environmental protest in history Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent Global Climate Strike - Best Photos Karachi, Pakistan TOPSHOT - Youths hold placards as they march for a climate strike to protest against governmental inaction towards climate breakdown and environmental pollution, part of demonstrations being held worldwide in a movement dubbed "Fridays for Future", in Karachi on September 20, 2019. (Photo by ASIF HASSAN / AFP)ASIF HASSAN/AFP/Getty Images ASIF HASSAN AFP/Getty Images Global Climate Strike - Best Photos Seoul, South Korea epa07858403 A South Korean environmental activist attends a demonstration against climate change strike in Seoul, South Korea, 21 September 2019. South Korean activists are taking part in protests demanding action on climate issues. EPA/JEON HEON-KYUN JEON HEON-KYUN EPA Global Climate Strike - Best Photos Pacific Islanders protest in Sydney, Australia Pacific Islanders attend a protest march as part of the worlds largest climate strike in Sydney on September 20, 2019. - Children in Australia and the Pacific Islands kicked off a millions-strong global climate strike on September 20 -- heeding the rallying cry of teen activist Greta Thunberg and demanding adults take action to stave off environmental disaster. (Photo by PETER PARKS / AFP)PETER PARKS/AFP/Getty Images PETER PARKS AFP/Getty Global Climate Strike - Best Photos London, UK Millions across world demand urgent action to save planet in largest environmental protest in history Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent Global Climate Strike - Best Photos London, UK Millions across world demand urgent action to save planet in largest environmental protest in history Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou/The Independent Global Climate Strike - Best Photos Marovo Island, Solomon Islands Students attend a climate change protest in Marovo Island, Solomon Islands, September 20, 2019 in this picture obtained from social media. Mandatory credit 350 PACIFIC/via REUTERS. ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY 350 PACIFIC 350 PACIFIC via Reuters Global Climate Strike - Best Photos London, UK Millions across world demand urgent action to save planet in largest environmental protest in history Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou/The Independent Global Climate Strike - Best Photos Mexico City, Mexico MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - SEPTEMBER 20: Numerous people take part in a demonstration as part of the Global Climate Strike on September 20, 2019 in Mexico City, Mexico. Strikes are being held all around the world to protest against government and business inaction on climate change. This initiative is led by 16-year-old Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg ahead of the Climate Action Summit to be held on September 23. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images) Hector Vivas Getty Images Global Climate Strike - Best Photos London, UK Millions across world demand urgent action to save planet in largest environmental protest in history Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent Global Climate Strike - Best Photos Seoul, South Korea People stage die-in during a Global Climate Strike rally in Seoul, South Korea, September 21, 2019. Yonhap via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. SOUTH KOREA OUT. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVE. HANDOUT Yonhap via Reuters Global Climate Strike - Best Photos London, UK Millions across world demand urgent action to save planet in largest environmental protest in history Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent Global Climate Strike - Best Photos Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia epa07858638 A Malaysian environmental activist holds a placard during a rally part of the international Global Climate Strike in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 21 September 2019. The strikes are happening in cities across the world just days before United Nations' Climate Action Summit on 21 September in New York, where nations will ramp up their ambitions to curb greenhouse gases under the 2015 Paris climate agreement. A second worldwide climate strike is planned for 27 September. EPA/FAZRY ISMAIL FAZRY ISMAIL EPA Global Climate Strike - Best Photos New York, US Students participate in the Global Climate Strike march on September 20, 2019 in New York City. - Crowds of children skipped school to join a global strike against climate change, heeding the rallying cry of teen activist Greta Thunberg and demanding adults act to stop environmental disaster. It was expected to be the biggest protest ever against the threat posed to the planet by climate change. (Photo by Johannes EISELE / AFP)JOHANNES EISELE/AFP/Getty Images JOHANNES EISELE AFP/Getty Global Climate Strike - Best Photos London, UK Millions across world demand urgent action to save planet in largest environmental protest in history Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent Global Climate Strike - Best Photos California, US epa07858027 Students and supporters march and rally during the international Global Youth Climate Strike in Los Angeles, California, USA, 20 September 2019. Students from 150 nations are taking part in what is expected to be the biggest environmental protest in history. The strikes are happening just before the United Nations for the Climate Action Summit on September 23 where nations are to ramp up ambitions to curb greenhouse gases under the 2015 Paris climate agreement. A second worldwide strike is planned for 27 September. EPA/DAVID MCNEW DAVID MCNEW EPA Global Climate Strike - Best Photos Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia epaselect epa07858636 An environmental activist wears a mask with the words 'STOP BURNING STUFF' during a rally part of the international Global Climate Strike in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 21 September 2019. The strikes are happening in cities across the world just days before United Nations' Climate Action Summit on 21 September in New York, where nations will ramp up their ambitions to curb greenhouse gases under the 2015 Paris climate agreement. A second worldwide climate strike is planned for 27 September. EPA/FAZRY ISMAIL FAZRY ISMAIL EPA Global Climate Strike - Best Photos Nicosia, Cyprus A student shouts slogans during a global climate change strike in Nicosia, Cyprus September 20, 2019. REUTERS/Yiannis Kourtoglou YIANNIS KOURTOGLOU Reuters Global Climate Strike - Best Photos London, UK Millions across world demand urgent action to save planet in largest environmental protest in history Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent Global Climate Strike - Best Photos Lodz, Poland Young activists take part in an environmental demonstration, part of the Global Climate Strike, in Lodz, Poland September 20, 2019. Tomasz Stanczak/Agencja Gazeta via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. POLAND OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN POLAND. AGENCJA GAZETA Agencja Gazeta via Reuters Global Climate Strike - Best Photos London, UK Millions across world demand urgent action to save planet in largest environmental protest in history Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou/The Independent Global Climate Strike - Best Photos Bangalore, India epa07857038 A poster is beeing held up during a strike day to protest climate change in Bangalore, India, 20 September 2019. Millions of people around the world are taking part in protests demanding action on climate issues. The Global Strike For Climate is being held only days ahead of the scheduled United Nations Climate Change Summit in New York. EPA/JAGADEESH NV JAGADEESH NV EPA Global Climate Strike - Best Photos London, UK Millions across world demand urgent action to save planet in largest environmental protest in history Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou/The Independent Global Climate Strike - Best Photos Thies, Senegal Demonstrators sits with banners during the Global Climate strike march, on September 20, 2019 in Thies, Senegal. (Photo by SEYLLOU / AFP)SEYLLOU/AFP/Getty Images SEYLLOU AFP/Getty Images Global Climate Strike - Best Photos London, UK Millions across world demand urgent action to save planet in largest environmental protest in history Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent Global Climate Strike - Best Photos Bogota, Colombia BOGOTA, COLOMBIA - SEPTEMBER 20: People play music and sing songs during the Global Climate Strike on September 20, 2019 in Bogota, Colombia. Strikes are being held all around the world to protest against government and business inaction on climate change. This initiative is led by 16-year-old Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg ahead of the Climate Action Summit to be held on September 23. (Photo by Guillermo Legaria/Getty Images) Guillermo Legaria Getty Images Global Climate Strike - Best Photos London, UK Millions across world demand urgent action to save planet in largest environmental protest in history Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent Global Climate Strike - Best Photos Montevideo, Uruguay epa07857712 Hundreds of people participate in the global youth climate strike event in Montevideo, Uruguay, 20 September 2019. Millions of people around the world are participating in protests to demand concrete action on climate issues. The global climate strike is held only a few days before the UN Climate Summit, to be held in New York and attended by Fridays For Future representative activist Greta Thunberg. EPA/Raul Martinez Raul Martinez EPA Global Climate Strike - Best Photos Lodz, Poland Young activists take part in an environmental demonstration, part of the Global Climate Strike, in Lodz, Poland September 20, 2019. Tomasz Stanczak/Agencja Gazeta via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. POLAND OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN POLAND. AGENCJA GAZETA Agencja Gazeta via Reuters Global Climate Strike - Best Photos Brisbane, Australia epaselect epa07855020 People march during the Global Strike 4 Climate rally in Brisbane, Australia, 20 September 2019. The Global Strike 4 Climate will take place in 110 towns and cities across Australia, with organizers demanding the government and businesses to commit to a target of zero net carbon emissions by 2030. EPA/DAN PELED AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT DAN PELED EPA Global Climate Strike - Best Photos Prague, Czech Republic epa07855477 Young people gather for a protest against climate change at the Old Town Square in Prague, Czech Republic, 20 September 2019. Millions of people around the world are taking part in protests demanding action on climate issues. The Global Strike For Climate is being held only days ahead of the scheduled United Nations Climate Change Summit in New York. EPA/MARTIN DIVISEK MARTIN DIVISEK EPA Global Climate Strike - Best Photos New York, US epa07857743 Thousands of protesters march in the Youth Climate Strike in lower Manhattan in New York, New York, USA, 20 September 2019. An estimated quarter of a million people marched in New York to protest government inaction on the climate crisis. EPA/PETER FOLEY PETER FOLEY EPA Global Climate Strike - Best Photos Prague, Czech Republic epa07855479 Young people gather for a protest against climate change at the Old Town Square in Prague, Czech Republic, 20 September 2019. Millions of people around the world are taking part in protests demanding action on climate issues. The Global Strike For Climate is being held only days ahead of the scheduled United Nations Climate Change Summit in New York. EPA/MARTIN DIVISEK MARTIN DIVISEK EPA Global Climate Strike - Best Photos London, UK Millions across world demand urgent action to save planet in largest environmental protest in history Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent Global Climate Strike - Best Photos New Delhi, India Indian activists and students gather for a protest against climate change in New Delhi, India, 20 September 2019. Millions of people around the world are taking? part in protests demanding action on climate issues. The Global Strike For Climate is being held only days ahead of the scheduled United Nations Clim?ate Change Summit in New York. EPA Global Climate Strike - Best Photos London, UK Millions across world demand urgent action to save planet in largest environmental protest in history Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent Global Climate Strike - Best Photos Dhaka, Bangladesh epa07855501 Bangladeshi school and college students hold a placard during the global climate change strike in Dhaka, Bangladesh, 20 September 2019. According to the Save the Children in Bangladesh and Green Savers Association they supported this strike as children and youth staged a protest in Dhaka to urge global leaders to act against climate change. EPA/MONIRUL ALAM MONIRUL ALAM EPA Global Climate Strike - Best Photos London, UK Millions across world demand urgent action to save planet in largest environmental protest in history Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent Global Climate Strike - Best Photos London, UK Millions across world demand urgent action to save planet in largest environmental protest in history Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou/The Independent Global Climate Strike - Best Photos Dhaka, Bangladesh epa07855503 Bangladeshi school and college students hold a placard during the global climate change strike in Dhaka, Bangladesh, 20 September 2019. According to the Save the Children in Bangladesh and Green Savers Association they supported this strike as children and youth staged a protest in Dhaka to urge global leaders to act against climate change. EPA/MONIRUL ALAM MONIRUL ALAM EPA Global Climate Strike - Best Photos London, UK Millions across world demand urgent action to save planet in largest environmental protest in history Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou/The Independent Global Climate Strike - Best Photos London, UK Millions across world demand urgent action to save planet in largest environmental protest in history Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou/The Independent Global Climate Strike - Best Photos London, UK Millions across world demand urgent action to save planet in largest environmental protest in history Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent Global Climate Strike - Best Photos London, UK Millions across world demand urgent action to save planet in largest environmental protest in history Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou/The Independent Global Climate Strike - Best Photos London, UK Millions across world demand urgent action to save planet in largest environmental protest in history Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent Global Climate Strike - Best Photos Warsaw, Poland Young activists take part in an environmental demonstration, part of the Global Climate Strike, in Warsaw, Poland September 20, 2019. 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REUTERS/Peter Blaza PETER BLAZA Reuters Global Climate Strike - Best Photos London, UK Millions across world demand urgent action to save planet in largest environmental protest in history Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou/The Independent Global Climate Strike - Best Photos Dhaka, Bangladesh epaselect epa07855498 Bangladeshi school and college students hold a placard during the global climate change strike in Dhaka, Bangladesh, 20 September 2019. According to the Save the Children in Bangladesh and Green Savers Association they supported this strike as children and youth staged a protest in Dhaka to urge global leaders to act against climate change. EPA/MONIRUL ALAM MONIRUL ALAM EPA Global Climate Strike - Best Photos London, UK Millions across world demand urgent action to save planet in largest environmental protest in history Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent Global Climate Strike - Best Photos London, UK LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 20: Protesters hold banners as they attend the Global Climate Strike on September 20, 2019 in London, England. Millions of people are taking to the streets around the world to take part in protests inspired by the teenage Swedish activist Greta Thunberg. Students are preparing to walk out of lessons in what could be the largest climate protest in history. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) Dan Kitwood Getty Images Global Climate Strike - Best Photos Hong Kong, China HONG KONG, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 20: Protesters hold signs and chant slogans during the Hong Kong Climate Strike rally on September 20, 2019 in Hong Kong, China. People attended rallies all across the world as part of a global Climate Strike day, demanding action on climate change. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images) Chris McGrath Getty Images Global Climate Strike - Best Photos London, UK Protesters at the UK Student Climate Network's Global Climate Strike Westminster, London. PA Photo. Picture date: Friday September 20, 2019. Young climate strikers across the country are taking to the streets as part of a global protest to demand urgent action to tackle climate change. See PA story ENVIRONMENT Strikes. 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The country’s most urgent problems include the fact that crops can no longer be grown in some areas due to increasingly sandy soil, while on one island, graves at a shoreline cemetery have been eroded by encroaching waves.

"Climate change has not only affected the weather, it has affected everything, the people, the sea, the land, even the food we eat has changed," one islander John Kaia previously told the German broadcaster Deutsche Welle. "People's lives have already changed so much."

(Statista (Statista)

The Solomon protesters were not alone in taking action across the South Pacific. Youngsters also demonstrated across other island nations including in Kiribati – where children chanted, "We are not sinking, we are fighting” – and the Marshall Islands.

The president of the latter Hilda Heine has consistently supported the protests, saying her nation will be underwater by 2030 without action.

“It is our livelihood,” she said earlier this year. “It is the very existence of the Marshall Islands that’s at stake.”

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