Pacific Islanders must use traditional knowledge to counter the impacts of climate change.

The secretary to the Minister for i-Taukei Affairs, Jope Koroisavou made this plea during the 2nd High-level Forum on Sustainable Development of Small Island States at the University of the South Pacific in Suva on Tuesday.

“Indigenous knowledge is not merely a commodity. It is the cornerstone of our survival,”Mr Koroisavou said.

“Let’s always remember the wisdom of our indigenous cultures which have thrived in harmony with nature for centuries”

Sharing Mr Koroisavou’s sentiments was Professor Wang Jingyuan based at the Reseach Centre for Pacific Island Countries in Liaocheng University who reiterated that there is a need to better harness and elevate local knowledge and to empower local leaders and knowledge keepers to help combat and adapt to climate change.

“This was in fact the topic of conversation in April this year when climate change and development specialists from Fiji, Samoa, Canada and Australia came together to discuss climate change, localization, adaptation and the need to disrupt the status quo by bringing traditional knowledge perspectives to the forefront of global discussions and solutions. “Miss Jingyuan said.

“Many indigenous communities have developed through centuries of interaction with their surrounding environments. And that knowledge can be hugely beneficial when it comes to climate change mitigation and adaptation”

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