NANISE NEIMILA
Climate change has rapidly intensified as we are now experiencing a lot of catastrophic weather patterns and its direct impacts to the human race is becoming reality.
Enosi Navunicagi, 70, of Navilaca, Noco Rewa, a father and grandfather, shared his experience on how climate change has affected their livelihoods as most villagers rely on the sea as a source of food security.
“In the past we did not re-ally pay attention to climate change but then after years of experiencing the changes in weather patterns we realised the direct effects it has on our children.”
“Where we used to fish be-fore is no longer a good fishing area because we had villagers dumping rubbish around the sea-front. It becomes a challenge for us because we know about the effects of climate change but people cannot change this lifestyle.”
“Our village relies heavily on the sea as a source of in-come and food security; however, we can say when there is high tide, we often experience flooding and fishing is very hard so we need to go out in the open sea.”
Mr. Navunicagi highlighted that during rainy weather the village experiences flooding and this happens almost every time.
“What never used to happen is happening right now, most of our plantations get affected during the rainy weather because there is flooding and we cannot control it.”
“Most of the villagers have to look for other plots of land to utilise for their plantation away from the village area.”
Mr. Navunicagi has encouraged the youth groups in the village and also sought assistance from Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to assist with more awareness programs on how villagers can learn more on climatic changes and ways to mitigate it.
Minister for Agriculture, Rural and Maritime Development, Environment and Waterways Dr Mahendra Reddy stressed the need for villagers to safeguard their environment from degradation and to refrain from unnecessary deforestation, highlighting the importance of maintaining a healthy mangrove and ridge for the safety and livelihood of the village.
Elders of the village were also encouraged to teach their children to keep away from drugs and illegal activities as it would have negative impacts for the village’s future.