NGO Teen Leader Joins War To Protect Fiji From Climate Change
He said from an early age, children were educated on climate change and its effects, but were hardly putting what they learned to practice.
Thursday 14 April 2022 | 12:54
Let’s Save the World Fiji founder, Alsheik Ashad Ali after receiving his cheque in Nailaga, Ba on April 12, 2022. Photo: Nicolette Chambers
Actions speak louder than words, says 18-year-old climate activist, Alsheik Ashad Ali.
Mr Ali is the founder of the Non-Government Organisation group, ‘Let’s Save the World Fiji’.
He was among the 17 recipients who were handed cheques under the Ministry of Environment’s Jobs for Nature Rehabilitation (J-NR) Programme in Nailaga, Ba on Tuesday.
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Three recipients from Ba received their second share of $400 while the rest received their first share of $1000.
He said from an early age, children were educated on climate change and its effects, but were hardly putting what they learned to practice.
The one-year-old NGO, which has more than 60 members, received its first share of $600 earlier this year.
“It’s actually better to put it into practice, overseas they are taking such initiative; Fiji is at the brunt we are facing the direct impact of climate change and we are a very small country,” he said.
“Civic pride is something that looks good in the books, but unfortunately not observed.
“Our first project of planting mangroves was in Namoli, Lautoka where we planted 50,000 mangrove pods.”
He said the group was grateful for Government’s assistance that would allow them to fight the effects of climate change.
Permanent Secretary for Environment, Joshua Wycliffe said the purpose behind the J-NR Programme was to share responsibilities by protecting the patch of mangroves planted.
The Minister for Waterways, Environment and Agriculture, Mahendra Reddy said the J-NR programme aimed to ease land-based degradation, biodiversity loss, river banks, coastal erosion and over exploitation of natural resources.
This was through the application of the J-NR concept that fostered positive environmental stewardship and protection including climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Feedback: nicolette.chambers@fijisun.com.fj
