As Pacific Islanders struggle with climate change, Canadians can learn a few lessons

Developing countries like Fiji are some of the most affected by climate change -- and least able to afford the consequences.

Developing countries like Fiji are some of the most affected by climate change — and least able to afford the consequences.

With 90 per cent of Pacific Islanders living within five kilometres of the coast, the impacts of flooding, coastal erosion and rising sea levels are an everyday reality.

In Nasilai — a village within Tailevu province on Fiji’s largest island — 300 people live in just over 40 houses along the water. It’s among the many Pacific Island communities that have been dealing with the impacts of climate change, including rising sea levels.

“If the mangroves were not here, all of this place would wash away,” said Nasilai village leader Savenaca Delai.

A line of mangrove trees hugs the coastline, blocking bigger waves from the heart of the village. Still, Delai is not confident that the trees would be enough against a larger storm.

“It’s dangerous,” he said. “If one tsunami comes over our place, the whole village will wash away — nothing else. Nothing will be left.”

Delai’s great-grandfather built a small sea wall out of cement and coral years ago to protect the village from erosion, but it’s overdue for an upgrade.

In conversations with the Fijian government, Delai has learned that their sea wall request is in this year’s budget, but no timeline has been given and that funding could be impacted by natural disasters.