For Fiji, climate change has become a matter of survival
The government is relocating villages and taking urgent steps to save the archipelago from destruction
Photo by: Greg Vaughn /VW PICS/gettyimages
The tropical islands of Fiji may be an exciting holiday destination for some, but for the residents of the islands, the devastating effects of climate change are slowly making survival on the islands very difficult.
More than 80 communities in Fiji residing in low lying areas are vulnerable to threats like coastal erosion, rise in sea levels and high intensity storms. "It's a fight for our lives and our livelihoods," says the Fijian Attorney-General and Minister for Economy, Civil Service and Communications, Hon. Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum in a powerful message conveying an ambitious climate action plan.
In his statement, the Minister brought to light the urgent need for immediate action, declaring that there was "no room for complacency". The new Climate Change Act, as dictated by the Minster, includes a plan for Fiji to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050 across all sectors of its economy and emphasises the importance of a strong economy backed by a strong climate agenda.
Here's how Fiji plans to save itself:
Fiji's plan to tackle the climate crisis includes strict measures to reduce plastic pollution and emission of greenhouse gases. The island country plans to wean itself off plastic to improve the health of the oceans. "Leadership by example," is what the Minister has planned for Fiji for the next couple of years.
Here are some of the highlights of the proposed Climate Change Act:
Fiji plans to have net zero carbon emissions by 2050
A ban on all single-use plastics from January 2020, and a ban on the use and sale of Styrofoam from January 2021
Zero duty on plastic-free food packaging like straw containers and cutlery and an increase in the use of shopping bags made by Fijian women and local artisans
Faster transition to renewable energy and more energy-efficient utilization of forests and mangroves
Relocation of communities at risk to the adversities of climate change
Plans to move Fiji to a 100% sustainably managed exclusive economic zone with 30% of the islands being marked as marine protected areas by 2030
A 10 year moratorium on seabed mining from 2020 to 2030, to allow for a decade of scientific research to help prevent further damage to the oceans
Decarbonisation of domestic marine transportation, and a switch to hybrid ships that use less fuel
Sayed Khaiyum's speech came ahead of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) in Tuvalu next weekend where Fiji will re-join the summit.
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