Waterlogged Buretu Anticipates COP26 President Visit

This is the response of 83-year- old Sela Vosikata when asked about relocating.

Ms Vosikata sits on her front porch, at Buretu Village, and remembers her young days. Cli­mate change was never an issue to talk about.

Now, the reality of cli­mate change implores them to act.

Buretu Village elder Sela Vosikata, 83. Photo: Kelera Sovasiga-Tuisawau

Families, like Mr Sovaki’s, depend on agriculture and marine life as a source of income. He said gone were the days when they would catch and sell good size mud lob­sters (mana), sea crabs (qari), small crabs (kuka) and prawns (moci).

Now, his family sells coconuts and brooms as their daily income.

“We are not like other families who have well paid jobs. With what­ever we can get from what we can produce we continue to thank God and live each day as it comes,” Mr Sovaki said.

“There is a river that flows through the side of the village and when it rains, it floods the village entrance.

“If only we had a floodgate set up, it would reduce the flooding issue.”

OUTCOME

British High Commissioner Brian Jones said the visit by the COP26 President would be a great opportu­nity to raise the profile of climate vulnerable countries and Small Is­land Developing States (SIDS) to a global audience ahead of COP27 in Egypt later this year.

Ms Vosikata said they have learned to adapt to the changing weather patterns now, but she was concerned about the country’s fu­ture generations.

Mr Sharma is currently wrap­ping up his visit to India. He will travel to Australia, then on to Fiji, to engage with governments, states, businesses and civil society in sup­port for stronger climate action ahead of COP27 in Egypt.

Feedback: adi.sovasiga@fijisun.com.fj