Climate Change adaptation in Fiji: A Scenario of productivity and prosperity — YRD

Climate Change adaptation in Fiji: A Scenario of productivity and prosperity (943)

Aman Deo 1 2 , Syed Ghani 1 , Ramendra Prasad 1 , Dhrishna Charan 1
  1. University of Fiji, Saweni, Lautoka, Fiji
  2. The University of the South Pacific, Suva, Australia
The issues of changing climate are inevitable but the question arises whether we are reacting accordingly or not. So far deriving of policies, educating and aiding people in adapting to the changing environment are the norms. The environmental issues are complex, gaseous emission is still setting new records, industries have increased their capacities and so is the energy requirement in enhancing the productivity. Though these activities bring about prosperity but the consideration towards the healthy environment is still lacking. The encouraging steps taken to reduce the impacts are harnessing of renewable energy and few preventive measures taken globally. Fiji and PICs are the ones highly affected as they continue to bear coastline erosion, salt water intrusion, agricultural crisis, health issues and severe weather conditions. In this review, we tried to investigate how Fiji has reacted to the issues of climate change. A number of adaptation projects and programs in Fiji partnering with nations across the Pacific and globe are now underway, but none individually meets Fiji’s acknowledged needs. Fiji’s existing national climate adaptation strategies seem weak and require improved and integrated proven community-based climate adaptation and sustainable resource management. The main challenge is implementation and monitoring of these policies, as majority of the population do not perceive their responsibilities towards climate change. Consequently, most of the work done on countering climate change may only be on adaptation and empowering the people towards productivity and prosperity and is not directed towards decelerating the anticipated risks.
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