Young advocate pushes climate solutions

Rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and saltwater intrusion are increasingly impacting communities in Fiji, prompting a young climate advocate to demand more robust action and effective policies. Adi Sivoki Oripa Susu, who grew up witnessing these firsthand, is highlighting the urgent need for solutions that protect vulnerable coastal populations.

Susu's firsthand experience, particularly through projects in northern Fiji, has shown her the direct consequences of climate change on coastal communities. She points to these impacts as clear evidence of the immediate need for stronger climate action, improved resilience planning, and policies that genuinely address the needs of those on the ground.

She stresses the importance of a deeper understanding of climate policy, finance, and resilience strategies to develop effective responses. Susu specifically identifies climate finance and nature-based solutions as crucial tools that can significantly aid Fiji and other Pacific nations in confronting the escalating effects of climate change.

Building a more sustainable future for the Pacific, Susu argues, will require enhanced collaboration, dedicated research, and active community involvement. Her advocacy underscores the critical challenges faced by island nations and the necessity of global cooperation to mitigate climate change impacts.

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So, growing up in Fiji, I was able to witness a lot of climate-related impacts firsthand. First, with some of the projects that I did in the northern part of Fiji, specifically with the coastal communities.