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Fiji - A Journey of Climate Education

Climate change worsens extreme weather events and continues to raise sea levels, with small island developing states bearing the brunt. Vio Island, a small island off the west coast of Fiji's largest island Viti Levu, serves as the first community pilot site for the rural electrification project initiated by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). This project aims to provide electricity to 4% of the Fijian population currently without energy access, through generating renewable energy like solar power. How does rural electrification bring about transformative change to the local villagers? In response to the rising frequency of tropical cyclones, coastal communities grow mangroves and build nature-based seawalls. How do they leverage traditional wisdom to enhance local adaptation efforts?

Education is key to addressing climate change. The University of the South Pacific (USP) in Suva, Fiji, is one of the most prestigious tertiary education institutions in the Pacific region. With the goal of nurturing the next generation and carrying out policy-relevant environmental research, the Pacific Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development (PaCE-SD) has been established. Meanwhile, the Centre for Appropriate Technology and Development (CATD) in Nadi offers a diverse range of industry-related technical courses for youth, promoting infrastructure development and advancing sustainable shipbuilding. How do these institutions complement each other in advancing both theoretical and vocational knowledge to strengthen climate action?

1/ Dr. Awnesh Singh, Associate Professor and the Acting Director of the Pacific Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development (PaCE-SD), University of the South Pacific (USP)
2/Aporosa Silatolu, Director, Centre for Appropriate Technology & Development
3/ Brent Hill, CEO, Tourism Fiji

Host: Natalie Chung