Having travelled around Fiji, it is clear that climate change is affecting the island nation. This is evident in the occurrence of droughts, floods, coral bleaching and coastal erosion. Some of these impacts are also due to the increased global temperature. These changes are not just affecting the country itself, but also other regions of the world.
Global temperature keeps rising despite natural variability
Despite the natural variability of climate, global average temperatures have continued to rise. Since the late 19th century, global average surface air temperatures have increased by 0.8degC per decade. This rate is accelerating.
Global warming is driven by human activities, including deforestation, agricultural and industrial practices, and burning fossil fuels. Climate change also affects precipitation and other aspects of the climate system. Consequences include intense droughts, floods, and forest fires. Among other things, higher temperatures mean more ice melting and higher sea levels.
In fact, all model projections show that Earth will continue to warm over the next few centuries. If we continue to burn fossil fuels at the same rate, we will warm by an additional 3.2degC by the end of this century. The Paris Agreement seeks to hold the rise in global average temperature to no more than 1.5degC.
This is a challenge. Global temperature is a combination of long-term warming due to greenhouse gas (GHG) warming, and natural variability. Natural variability can be used to modulate the effects of the underlying temperature trend.
During the past century, global average surface air temperatures have increased 0.6degC per decade. Global temperature has also increased slightly faster over the oceans than over land.
Flooding
During the flood of 2012, the Nadi River broke its banks and inundated Nadi Town, which is the main commercial centre. This event was considered the worst flood event in Fiji in decades. It caused substantial financial loss to the government. In total, initial assessments of the flood damages totaled F$71 million.
The government of Fiji has implemented projects designed to increase resilience. The floods have not only cost Fiji a staggering amount of money, but also the lives of four people. These events have sparked debate about the scale of the threat of climate change in Fiji.
As the Pacific Islands are increasingly urbanizing, urbanization is also increasing the risk of flooding. Fiji has become the first Pacific island nation to relocate a community to higher ground because of sea level rise. A total of six villages have moved or plan to relocate with government support.
The Government of Fiji also set up a Community Educators Network Training program, which has increased community organisation and awareness of coastal and marine threats. The program also trains community members on conservation and resource management practices.
The Government of Fiji has also established a One Pacific Program, which collects climate data for 14 Pacific Island nations. The program also develops prediction services and multi-hazard monitoring systems.
Drought
Coastal communities are the most vulnerable to multiple hazards. Droughts affect agriculture, infrastructure, housing and social cohesion. Understanding the risks is crucial for risk reduction planning.
In Fiji, the agricultural sector is an important source of livelihood. The country has been impacted by unusual climatic conditions over the last decades. As a result, Fiji must respond to the impacts of climate change. The government has taken action to help farmers deal with the adverse weather conditions. These include adaptation programs, such as water conservation, resilient varieties, and water-saving technologies.
Climate change is expected to intensify the seasonal cycle, leading to increasing droughts in Pacific islands. In addition, climate change is predicted to cause an increase in vector-borne diseases. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has helped Fiji bring adaptation programs to farmers and other individuals.
Fiji’s climatic conditions have become more extreme over the past few years. The drought that affected the country in 1998 caused an estimated US$63 million in losses to the agricultural sector. In addition, there were over 28,000 dengue cases reported.
Aside from agriculture, coastal communities are vulnerable to floods and other disasters. As a result, the Government has introduced a Crop Rehabilitation Programme at a cost of US$22 million. It has also invested in solar-powered water systems on outer islands, encouraging local residents to conserve water.
Coastal erosion
Coastal erosion is an ongoing problem for many Pacific island nations. The sea level is rising and exposing large areas to erosion. In Fiji, the coastal erosion impacts of climate change have affected low-lying villages, and some communities have already relocated. There are also plans to relocate more villages.
Relocating is difficult for Fijians who have lost their homes to coastal erosion. They are also exposed to the risks of cyclones and extreme weather events. Despite this, the Fijian government has vowed to relocate more communities over the next decade. It has also offered to resettle other low-lying Pacific nations. However, the country lacks criteria for when and where to abandon homes. The IPCC predicted a significant rise in human displacement in the coming decades.
Coastal erosion impacts of climate change in Fiji include increased sea surface temperatures, saltwater intrusion, destruction of sea walls, coastal flooding, and erosion. These impacts have impacted the environment, crop production, and coastal environments. These changes are also affecting the mental health of residents. They are experiencing grief, loss of place attachment, and perceived environmental changes.
Fijians are concerned about their future as well as their livelihoods. The recent destruction caused by Cyclone Winston, which cut off 80 percent of the country’s power supply, was a stark reminder of the effects of climate change. Many Fijians understand that climate change is the primary driver of local environmental changes.
Coral bleaching
During a recent visit to Fiji, Newsround found that the impacts of climate change on coral reefs are devastating to local communities. A number of reefs in the country were affected by high temperatures and bleaching. Some reefs suffered from more than 60 percent bleaching, while others had only a small impact.
Corals have a deep relationship with algae, and both play a vital role in the formation of coral reefs. Algae helps coral polyps survive by providing nutrition. Without algae, coral polyps weaken and eventually die. However, after they die, the algae take over and grow over the dead coral.
Coral reefs around the world are in danger. High seawater temperatures disrupt the symbiosis between the corals and algae. When the seawater temperature rises, the coral polyps expel algae, leaving the reef looking bleached.
The Global Coral Reef Alliance recently announced that there has been unprecedented coral beaching in the South Pacific. The reefs in Fiji and the Cook Islands have been particularly hit by high temperatures, while the reefs in Samoa and New Caledonia were also affected.
The Global Fund for Coral Reefs has announced a plan to raise money for stronger protection of the world’s reefs. The fund is backed by UN agencies and is designed to promote businesses that don’t harm coral.
Adaptation plans to implement in animal production sectors
Adaptation plans to implement in Fiji climate change impacts are important for farmers to adapt to the changes. This includes adapting to changing rainfall patterns and feeding periods, as well as reducing building in flood zones. This increases productivity and economic activity.
The National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy (NCCAS) provides adaptation actions for land-based resources in Fiji. It strongly advocates the integration of climate change issues into all national policies. It includes sector adaptation matrices for agriculture, water, and land use. It identifies current climate change projects in Fiji, and provides a list of the projects receiving financial support.
The Fiji National Climate Change Policy is a blueprint for protecting vulnerable communities from climate change impacts. It is located in the Pacific Ocean and consists of 330 islands. The policy identifies key elements that need to be considered to reduce the impacts of climate change on human health. It was developed by the Climate Change Unit, which was established within the Department of Environment in 2009. It has since moved to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Fiji is one of the most vulnerable Pacific Island nations. The country has a high poverty rate and has experienced rapid urban migration. Rapid urbanisation can exacerbate water-borne disease and food insecurity. Insufficiently designed housing and urban infrastructure contribute to these problems. The Fijian government is attempting to secure funding to implement climate change projects.
Pacific Women Shaping Pacific Development support to the Shifting the Power Coalition
Founded in 2016, the Shifting the Power Coalition is a feminist coalition of women’s organisations. The Coalition is led by Pacific women and aims to increase their leadership and influence in the region. The Coalition includes members from six countries, including Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Australia. The Coalition’s aims include gender equality, disaster preparedness and response, and climate change adaptation.
The Pacific Women Shaping Pacific Development programme is funded by the Australian government, and aims to increase political opportunities for women in 14 Pacific Islands Forum countries. The programme is also supported by the Pacific Women Support Unit, based in Suva, Fiji. The unit provides logistical and technical support to DFAT, and assists with direction setting activities. The unit also conducts knowledge sharing events. The Coalition’s PowerShift Fund will support the development of new programming and improve the internal governance of the Coalition.
The Shifting the Power Coalition is led by diverse Pacific women. It has a network of 13 partner organisations. Members include ActionAid Australia, the Young Women Christian Association of Samoa, the YWCA of Papua New Guinea, the Pacific Disability Forum, the Nazareth Centre for Rehabilitation, Vois Blong Mere Solomon Islands, and Vanu Young Women for Change.
