Agencies on board to support Rewa’s climate change drive

While our Fijian Prime Minister is in Bonn, Germany as the voice of the many Pacific Islanders against climate change, our very people are asked to be aware and understand that ‘Climate Change is real.’

The Gone Marama na Roko Tui Dreketi Ro Teimumu Kepa has reminded us that climate change is real. Yesterday she urged everyone at the Rewa River bank at Nausori to rise and play their part to support Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainiarama’s presidency at the Bonn COP23.

There are a lot of villages in Fiji who are victims to the effects of climate change, whether they are the rising sea levels, relocation of villages or the effects of the current dry spell, it is real.

Ro Teimumu at the opening of the inaugural Rewa Festival in Nausori, confidently showcased how Government agencies, business houses, banks, embassies and the vanua of Burebasaga can team up to advocate climate change.

The highlight of the three day event is the Bilibili (bamboo raft) Race, an initiative of the organisers to support COP23 and advocate climate change.

Financial institutions, business houses, diplomatic corp and the vanua of Burebasaga have confirmed their participation in the the bilibili race today. On the eve of the opening on Wednesday crew members of the famous traditional canoe, the Uto ni Yalo joined the water taxi operators and paddlers in clearing and collecting rubbish at Fiji’s widest river – Rewa.

The Rewa River was a hive of activity with volunteers and youths joining in the drive to reduce pollution by collecting rubbish and piling them at an allocated space as evidence.

It was a platform to show and advocate and educate the residents of Nausori, and those from the provinces of Rewa, Tailevu and Naitasiri to refrain from dumping rubbish into the Rewa River.

One of the challenges the people of Rewa face interms of climate change is food security which has been undermined by the pollution of the river upstream from Rewa.

This has adversely affected the livelihood of a large portion of the population who depend on the river for sustenance.

We need to play our part in preserving our environment.

How do we come together as a nation to support our Prime Minister in addressing the various heads of Government in Germany?

Send our Fijian delegation our well-wishers and keep them in our prayers.

We can start at home, our work place and our community.

Talk about climate change, discuss the effects of climate change that are not only taking place in Fiji but in other countries around the world.

If the people of Rewa can rise up and host events to create awareness on climate change, then why can’t we?

And if you are eager to know how the Rewa people are creating awareness on this important topic, head on down to Syria Park, Nausori and be part of the 2017 Rewa Festival the next two days.