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https://theconversation.com/as-seas-rise-and-fish-decline-this-fijian-village-is-finding-new-ways-to-adapt-261573>
"In the village of Nagigi, Fiji, the ocean isn’t just a resource – it’s part of
the community’s identity. But in recent years, villagers have seen the sea
behave differently. Tides are pushing inland. Once abundant, fish are now
harder to find. Sandy beaches and coconut trees have been washed away.
Like many coastal communities, including those across the Pacific Islands
region, this village is now under real pressure from climate change and
declining fish stocks. Methods of fishing are no longer guaranteed, while
extreme weather and coastal erosion threaten homes and land. As one villager
told us:
we can’t find fish easily, not compared to previous times […] some fish
species we used to see before are no longer around.
When stories like this get publicity, they’re often framed as a story of loss.
Pacific Islanders can be portrayed as passive victims of climate change.
But Nagigi’s experience isn’t just about vulnerability. As our new research
shows, it’s about the actions people are taking to cope with the changes
already here. In response to falling fish numbers and to diversify livelihoods,
women leaders launched a new aquaculture project, and they have replanted
mangroves to slow the advance of the sea.
Adaptation is uneven. Many people don’t want to or can’t leave their homes. But
as climate change intensifies, change will be unavoidable. Nagigi’s experience
points to the importance of communities working collectively to respond to
threats."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
