Page 22 - IB Nov 2017

Climate change Energy pledge Solomons pledges to Development Solomons priority on
cut emissions by 30pc by 2030: P25 Tina River Hydro: P25

From Page 21
Waters are rising
“And anyway, does that mean only
vulnerable communities who vote for THE mean sea level recorded at Fiji’s tidal
government are entitled to relocation?” gauge shows an average rise of 4.6mm per
Ramatu has also clashed with Fiji’s year since 1993.
Climate Change Ambassador, Agriculture That means sea levels would have risen
Minister Colonel Inia Seruiratu. an average 110 centimetres – about knee
While on a rural visit two years ago height of an adult - by 2017. Abondaned material inside a workshop at Vunidogo-
Seruiratu stopped on the roadside at Vuni- At Vunidogoloa Village in Fiji’s Northern loa. Photo: Invictus
dogoloa and demanded to know why the Division, Sailosi Ramatu points to the waters lia Andrews, a mission worker with the PCC.
huge cement drains had not been used. of Natewa Bay. “That’s where the beach Together they enlisted the help of the
“I invited him into the village and was when I was a kid,” he said, pointing Methodist Church in Fiji to bring to the villag-
suggested that we lift the cement pieces the stump of a coconut tree, barely visible ers a spiritual perspective which helped con-
together but they were too heavy,” Ra- above the rising tide.“It’s about 100 metres vince them of the need to move or relocate.
matu said. away from where the shore is so in 40 years Such was their success with the commu-
“We asked for the necessary heavy we’ve lost about 100 metres of beach front nity that Fiji Government’s Climate Change
machines and we’re still waiting.” or 2.5 metres a year.” Unit enlisted the church workers to help
The villagers of Vunidogoloa are not According to current estimates, a possible design a national relocation strategy.
ungrateful for the assistance from the 45 villages in Fiji face a similar fate from Emberson and Edwards also accompa-
government and the international com- the waves, coastal erosion and salt water nied key Pacific church leaders to the COP
munity or even the constant visitors to intrusion. meetings around the world, allowing small
this supposed climate change relocation Churches, which continue to wield influ- island states like Tuvalu and Kiribati to speak
success story. ence over indigenous Fijian communities, on a global stage. “We felt it was important
Some residents suggest that the current have a powerful role to play in convincing vil- for world leaders to hear from the people
rate of about 20 visitors per week may lagers on the need to move to higher ground. who were being affected by climate change,”
lead to the advent of climate change- Pacific Conference of Churches Gen- Pihaatae said. It’s one thing to talk about
induced tourism. eral Secretary, Reverend Francois Pihaatae, policy and something completely different
Vunidogoloa is not alone. recognises the powerful role the church to hear from a person whose home has been
Surveys suggest that anywhere be- must play not only in Fiji but across the washed away or a farmer who cannot plant
tween 45-100 villagers along Fiji’s coast region. “Our people are deeply spiritual and babai because salt water is seeping from the
are at risk of coastal erosion and will need their belief systems involve the land and the water table into his farm.”
to be relocated over the next 10 years. sea as things past down to them by God and Fiji’s government recruited Emberson two
At 2012 costs this will mean spending by their forefathers,” Pihaatae said. years ago to be part of its Climate Change
a total of US$22-$48 million of which at “Sometimes they cannot understand why Unit and Edwards joined the United Nations.
least one third will be a contribution from climate change is happening and they don’t However, the PCC continues to lead
the community. want to move from the land despite the situ- regional faith-based work in the area of
In the case of Vunidogoloa the contribu- ation appearing to be hopeless. climate change and relocation.
tion was possible through the harvesting “That’s why the church and faith leaders This month Frances Namoumou – the PCC
of native forests but not every community must be ready to accompany and guide the Desk Officer on Climate Change – accom-
will be so fortunate. people at this difficult time.’’ panied Reverend Taufue Lausma, General
On the island of Ono – part of Kadavu In 2012 the PCC Climate Change Desk Offi- Secretary of the Ekalesia Kelisiano Tuvalu
Province in Fiji’s Eastern Division – the cer, Peter Emberson, embarked on a journey (Tuvalu Christian Church) to COP23 in Bonn.
people of Narikoso Village have also been of accompaniment with the people of two “Fiji has 300 islands which face sea
earmarked for relocation. communities – Vunidogoloa in Cakaudrove level rise but smaller islands like Tuvalu
The new site for Narikoso was bull- and Narikoso in Kadavu. and Kiribati are still the most vulnerable,”
dozed by army engineers at a cost of He was assisted by Welsh volunteer Dr Ju- Namoumou said.
US$121,000 before any site assessments
were made.
Immediately after the site was prepared, For Bainimarama himself has started which could well spell his political death.
soil and rocks were washed downhill to feel the surge of the waters of public In Bonn, Bainimarama will speak to the
causing siltation and eventually destroy- opinion which threaten his government. world of his nation’s success in the area of
Increased public debt, rising numbers
ing precious mangrove plants which of expatriates in the civil service, delays climate change and relocation. The speech
writers will work into the night to craft
protected the area.
The venture also took place as Fiji on public roads, declining health services, words which will satisfy the international
approached the elections of 2014 which the sale of state-owned enterprises, Asian community about their roles in stopping
legitimised Bainimarama’s rule. influence on tender processes, rising cor- this great global disaster.
With another election approaching, ruption and nepotism are but some of But at Vunidogoloa, Ramatu and his
Bainimarama has found climate change the issues he faces ahead of the 2018 villagers know the truth.
as a means by which to portray himself elections. The only thing that stands against cli-
as an international figure of legitimacy And then there are the symbiotic issues mate change is the will of the people.
and a means by which to attract funding. of the sugar industry and native land r netrika66@gmail.com
ownership – a double-barrelled weapon

22 Islands Business, November 2017