Rising sea levels
CHILDREN of Vunisavisavi Vilage in Cakaudrove know all too well what climate change means.
This is because they live with the impact of climate change, with seawaterenteringthevillagegrounds with each high tide.
The students have witnessed this on a daily basis and are certainly aware that it will impact their future.
The village headman Aisake Lovobalavu said the situation has become worse.
“Our children are suffering and their experience today in regards to impact of climate change is far worse than what we faced when we were little children like them,” he said.
“During our time as kids growing up in this village, the seawater was about 20 metres out from the shoreline which now sits about two metres away from the houses by the shore.
“Climate Change is real. Our children learn about it at school. They see it on social media and other forms of media, they are well aware of it.”
Mr Lovobalavu said although the children were aware of the situation, most didn't worry much about the impact or its repercussions.
“They just live everyday like innocent children which is only right because climate change is no fault of theirs.”
“So the parents spend some time with their children at home to tell them more about this climate change, and to study hard so they could achieve their dreams and move out of the village,” said Mr Lolobalavu.
“Right now, the villagers are being advised to move to higher ground, simply because of the rising seawater that floods our village lawn during high tide.”
Mr Lovobalavu explained that some houses practically sit right on the water during high tide as waves fill their village.