MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT & CLIMATE CHANGE HON. MOSESE BULITAVU'S ADDRESS AT THE INTERNATIONAL MOTHER EARTH DAY CELEBRATION 2025

Bula Vinaka and Good Afternoon, Friends, Elders, and Guardians of Our Land,
 
We gather today in the heart of Suva, surrounded by the vibrant life of Thurston Gardens, to honor International Mother Earth Day. This year's theme, “Our Power, Our Planet,” is not just a slogan—it is a call to action, a reminder that each of us holds the strength to protect and nurture our shared home.
 
As UN Secretary-General António Guterres has poignantly stated, “Humanity is waging war on nature. Nature always strikes back—and it is already doing so with growing force and fury.” These words resonate deeply with us in the Pacific, where the impacts of climate change are not distant threats but present realities.
 
Our beloved Fiji, with its lush rainforests, vibrant coral reefs, and rich marine life, is a testament to nature's beauty. Yet, we are not immune to the global environmental crisis. Land degradation affects the well-being of 3.2 billion people worldwide, undermining food security and livelihoods.
 
Moreover, according to recent UN reports, 77.6% of Earth's land experienced drier conditions during the three decades leading up to 2020 compared to the previous 30-year period. These challenges are not isolated; they are interconnected and demand our collective response.
 
Reafforestation is more than just part of our landscape; they are a vital ally in our fight against climate change. A single mature tree can absorb up to 22 kilograms of carbon dioxide annually, helping to purify our air and combat global warming.
 
In villages across Fiji, communities are taking action. For example, as part of the Vesi Reafforestation Initiative, children from Namamanuca Primary School on Yanuya Island participated in planting food-bearing seedlings around the school and timber seedlings around the perimeter of the island to secure future food and income for the village. These efforts restore the environment and instil a sense of stewardship in our youth.
 
Our young people are the torchbearers of our environmental legacy. By integrating environmental education into our schools and communities, we empower them to make informed decisions and take meaningful action.
 
The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change continues to advocate for building upon wildlife and environmental education resources to prepare today’s youth with the knowledge to meet the challenges that will define their generation.
 
Let us harness our collective power by continuing to participate in reforestation efforts—to breathe life back into our land, to heal what has been lost, and to stand proudly alongside the millions of trees already planted by our hands, our children, and our communities. Every seed planted is a promise—a promise of shade, of cleaner air, of resilience for generations to come.
 
Let us reduce waste—not just because we must, but because we can. Let us embrace sustainable choices in our daily lives. Let us say no to single-use plastics. Let us sort our waste, compost what we can, and support local initiatives that protect our oceans and waterways. It is these small, consistent acts that will make a great difference.
 
Let us support renewable energy, and turn our face toward the sun, the wind, the water that surrounds us. Let us power our future not with pollution, but with purpose. Our goal as a nation is clear—100% renewable electricity by 2030. Let us rise to that challenge together.
 
And above all, let us educate and advocate. Let us teach our children not just the science of the environment, but the spirit of it. Let us empower our communities with the knowledge and tools to make lasting change. And let us raise our voices—for policy, for protection, for the planet.
 
Because as stewards of these islands, we bear the responsibility to protect and preserve our environment for future generations. Let us honor our ancestors' legacy and ensure our children inherit a thriving, resilient Fiji.
 
Our power is our planet—and the planet is calling.
 
Vinaka vakalevu.