Hundreds of people took part in the Pacific people’s climate march from Suva Flea Market to Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna Park in Suva last Saturday in support of the Pacific Island delegation attending Conference of Parties (COP21) in Paris this week,.

The Speaker of Parliament, Dr Jiko Luveni, who also took part in the march, acknowledged those gathered at the historical event in her opening address.

“Your presence here this morning bears witness to the gravity of climate challenge we can all relate to.

“Our decisions and actions have significant consequences and we all possess the power to chart a more safer, sustainable and prosperous course for us and our future generation,” she said.

Dr Luveni said the Prime Minister had led a strong delegation to Paris.

“The Suva Declaration calls on the industrial nation to cap global warming at 1.5 degree celsius above pre-industrial levels rather than the two degree celsius currently envisaged,” she said.

Dr Luveni said in Fiji, the vulnerability to climate change is intensified by poor land use practice.

“Most of the country’s major towns are developed on river deltas, exposing them to intense climate conditions and further aggravated by the destructive land use activities occurring upstream.

“It is imperative to ensure that Fiji’s climate change adaptation policies do not cause more harm than good,” she said.

University of the South Pacific Second Year Environmental Science student Chloe Wragg, said climate change had been affecting Pacific island nations and showed her support by taking part in the march.

“I am here to support the Pacific Island leaders who will be representing Pacific in the COP21 in Paris,” she said.

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