Fiji’s Fight Against Climate Change: A Story of Strength and Adaptation
In the coastal village of Nagigi, Fiji, the sea is more than just a source of food—it’s a part of the community’s identity and heritage. But over recent years, this relationship has been challenged. The ocean, once predictable and nurturing, has started to behave differently. Tides now reach further inland, sandy beaches are disappearing, and familiar fish species have become scarce.
Like many coastal communities across the Pacific Islands, Fiji is facing increasing threats from climate change and declining fish populations. Villagers in Fiji are witnessing extreme weather, saltwater intrusion, and coastal erosion that damage their homes, land, and food sources.
Yet, while much media coverage paints Pacific Islanders as passive victims, the people of Fiji, especially in villages like Nagigi and Bia-I-Cake, are responding with resilience and innovation. Their experience reveals not only the impacts of climate change but also the power of community-led adaptation.
Realities of Environmental Change in Fiji
Villages in Fiji, such as Nagigi (with a population of 630), and nearby Bia-I-Cake (population 60), depend heavily on the sea for their food and income. However, since 2016’s Tropical Cyclone Winston, things have changed drastically. Some residents have had to relocate inland due to damage caused by rising tides and stronger storms.
One Fiji villager shared, “Sometimes the sea comes further onto the land. There’s flooding where it never used to be.”
Even when relocation is an option, it’s not always simple. In Fiji, customary land plays a major role. Some people were able to move smoothly because they had access to their mataqali (clan-owned) land. Others, deeply connected to the sea, chose to stay. “If I don’t hear or smell the ocean for one day, I’d be devastated,” said another resident.
This love for the land and sea is deeply rooted in the Fiji concept of Vanua, which ties land, sea, people, and spiritual beliefs together.
Women Leading the Way in Fiji
A standout example of adaptation in Fiji is the role of women in leading change. The Bia-I-Cake Women’s Cooperative in Fiji has launched a small-scale aquaculture project to farm tilapia and carp. This initiative not only helps restore fish stocks but also provides food security and income.
Women in Fiji have built fish ponds, mastered fish farming techniques, and even sell live fish via social media. With support from the United Nations Development Programme and the Women’s Fund Fiji, they’ve expanded into mangrove replanting to combat erosion and started greenhouses to grow crops.
As one woman in Fiji proudly stated, “We have the capacity to build a sustainable, secure, and thriving community.”
Traditional Knowledge Meets Modern Action
Adaptation in Fiji doesn’t mean abandoning tradition. It means strengthening it. Villagers have temporarily closed traditional fishing grounds to allow fish populations to recover. They’re even considering creating a locally-managed marine area (tabu), a proven method to protect reefs and marine biodiversity.
In Fiji, respect for elders, collaboration, and stewardship of nature are central to these efforts. The people of Fiji are using their deep cultural roots to meet today’s challenges.
The Bigger Picture: What Fiji Teaches the World
While Fiji‘s adaptation efforts are impressive, they are uneven. Not every family in Fiji has the resources to relocate or rebuild. Still, what Nagigi teaches is clear: local, community-based adaptation works.
As climate change continues to impact coastal areas across the Pacific and beyond, Fiji offers hope. The country is not simply a victim but a leader in resilience, showing how culture, innovation, and community spirit can overcome adversity.
In summary, Fiji reminds the world that climate adaptation isn’t just about relocating or waiting for aid. It’s about coming together, drawing from tradition, and taking bold, local action.
read more:- As seas rise and fish decline, this Fijian village is finding new ways to adapt