Climate Watch: VILLAGERS ADAPTING TO CHANGING WEATHER

Mothers on the island of Waya in the Yasawa group are finding ways to adapt to changing weather patterns.

They are not waiting for Government or stakeholder intervention. Instead, simple common sense is key to ensure that their daily needs are met and both food and water are safe to consume.

65-year-old Ilisapeci Ceva is a witness to the changing weather conditions. She’s lived on Natawa Village most of her life.

Natawa is one of four villages on Waya Island. It’s about an hour boat ride from the Lautoka wharf.

Like most coastal and island communities around Fiji, Natawa Village is susceptible to sea level rise and coastal inundation.

Villagers are uncertain about the future and are often caught by surprise by extreme weather.

Men from Natawa Village using whatever resources is available to rebuild a village seawall.

SEAWALL

Village headman Sisa Neibale said high tides brought seawater right into the village grounds. Soil erosion is now a problem as a result.

Though the village has a seawall built from rocks, it has gradually deteriorated from the impacts of huge waves.

“Before we had coconut trees lined by the seawall, but due to the rise in sea level the shoreline has moved into the village,” Mr Neibale said.

With a population of 170 people, the future and locality of the island is at stake.

“We found that the seawalls have not been successful in achieving their primary aim of safeguarding communities against coastal pressures and have instead resulted in unanticipated negative outcomes for our land and livelihood.”

Waya island consists of four villages – Nalauwaki, Natawa, Waya Levu and Yalobi.

Of these four villages, Natawa Village seems to be facing the direct hit of climate change.

Villagers believe building a more effective seawall will at least give them a sense of hope for the future.

Mr Neibale said they haven’t had any luck after reaching out to Government and non-governmental organisations.

“However, that does not mean we will stay idle. We have a committee that looks into village projects and we have been very active when it comes to maintaining the seawall the best we can,” Mr Neibale said.

He added that the long-term goal includes more local and technical input in the planning, implementation, and maintenance processes of climate change projects for the village.

Edited by Rosi Doviverata