Kavewa Island children win video about climate change
Children of Kavewa Island in Macuata have won a video competition on climate change advocating issues they face daily.
Kavewa native and community field officer for the Community Centered Conservation Talei Silibaravi said she saw the ASPIRE Climate Connections online competition by the Australian National University and decided to give it a try.
“I saw this an opportunity for our children to advocate on the challenges brought by climate change that we face here on the island,” Ms Silibaravi said.
“It is not our children’s fault that their livelihoods have been affected and they’ve noticed the changes taking place such as the erosion of their beaches.
“They need to create an environment for themselves that is carbon free and a better place for them and their children to live because their future depends on it.”
Ms Silibaravi said the video was less than a minute and was edited and sent in just before it was due.
She was surprised, but thankful that the message from the children is loud and has been heard.
Adi Savui Leigaloa is one of the children featured in the video. She said that while the pandemic may come and go, the impacts of climate change is here to stay and will affect them more in the future.
Community Centred Conservation senior programme officer, Maleli Qera, was supportive of the initiative by children, especially during this pandemic.
“It is an eye opener because chil
It is not our children’s fault that their livelihoods have been affected and they’ve noticed the changes taking place such as the erosion of their beaches. Talei Silibaravi FIELD OFfiCER, COMMUNITY CENTRED CONSERVATION, KAVEWA
dren have the opportunity to explore and learn more about their surroundings,” Mr Qera said.
“At the same time this is a form of awareness since many have become jobless and have resorted to farming for their daily sustenance.
“People must have first-hand information on how to manage their resources well (land and the sea) otherwise the land will be exhausted and will lead to more drastic impacts by climate changes,” Mr Qera dded.