Aswak Mustapha, 28, published his first ever book – ‘Tui Wai, The Story of the Warrior Mangrove Tree’.

The Suva lad was inspired by children of Fiji including the country’s Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama.

The 28-year-old had been working on his book for close to eight years.

The children-fiction based book was written with an aim to educate children on the threats of climate change and the resolutions to fighting the global issue.

He said Mr Bainimarama was an inspiration to his book after he won the R20 Global Climate Warrior Award last year.

“The book is based on a loner mangrove tree in real life based at the Nasese seawall in Suva,” he said.

“Since we are the people of the ocean we need to take more precaution in terms of our sea creatures because I believe mangroves are ecosystems which provide a lot to the sea.”

He said Government was doing a lot on its strategic plans globally and nationally for COP26.

“Since our PM has received the award as the global climate warrior, I am just trying to enforce this by being a pillar to combat global climate change with my army of young generation warriors,” he said.

“If we all work together we will all have the same end goal to do something because if we don’t protect our future, that is our children, we will not be able to stop climate change alone.”

Mr Mustapha said it was unfortunate to have not been able to hand over a copy of the book to Mr Bainimarama before he left for COP26 but will aim to do so when he returns.

The copies of the books are available through M-PAiSA and the University of the South Pacific Book Centre at the Laucala Campus in Suva for $15.

Feedback: nicolette.chambers@fijisun.com.fj