NANISE NEIMILA
For 85-year-old Unaisi Logawai of Rauriko Village in the district of Dogotuki the dramatic changes brought by climate change has been very evident.
The octogenarian has literally witnessed the disappearance of popular birds in the village and also the failure of trees to bear fruits during certain months of the year.
“For us we have witnessed the changes in weather patterns, now we are experiencing cold nights and warmer days. It becomes even harder to determine the weather in the day but we know that climate change is really affecting us.”
“Climate change is real and we need to work together to combat it. I am glad that the Government in collaboration with the Ministry of Forestry is visiting us to enlighten us on the importance of tree planting and how it can protect our earth from climate change.”
Mrs Logawai said in our daily lives, there were many reminders of our connection with nature and our planet.
“This act is fundamental. The health of our planet is essential to our own health and wellbeing and to our future and trees are an essential part of it.”
Minister for Forestry Osea Naiqamu said it was becoming clearer that climate change was already having repercussions that seemed almost biblical in scope and rising sea levels threatened every coastline.
“More powerful storms and floods threaten every continent. On shrinking islands and shorelines, families are already being forced to flee their homes as climate refugees,” Minister Naiqamu said.
“I keep saying that planting trees is the most practical and tangible nature-based solution to addressing such issues.”
Meanwhile, Minister Naiqamu visited 14 villages – three in the district of Udu, four in Tawake, four in Dogotuki, two in Wairiki and one in Labasa.
He added that the tour to the Northern Division was an eye-opener as the reality of the drastic impact of climate change was evident in the 14 villages visited.