FIJI’S Ministry of Forestry hopes that rugby greats can become great ambassadors for climate change and relay the message about our tiny nation’s efforts to combat climate change.
Minister Osea Naiqamu said this while officiating at the launch of the 33rd Fiji Bitter Nawaka 7s at Nawaka Village yesterday.
He called on Fijians to have a renewed respect for nature.
“This act is fundamental. The health of our planet is essential to our own health and well-being and to our future and trees and mangroves are an essential part of it,” Mr Naiqamu said.
“Rising sea levels threaten every coastline.
“More powerful storms and floods threaten every continent.
“On shrinking islands, families are already being forced to flee their homes as climate refugees. The security and stability of our nation are in jeopardy and the time we have to reverse this tide is running out.”
Mr Naiqamu also acknowledged the sponsors of the Nawaka 7s and noted the program was what the ministry would like to see as a formidable partnership with sporting organisations and personalities in Fiji and the region – a partnership to better address the effects of climate change.
“Interaction with the natural world enables us to experience wonder, joy, celebration and hope in a way as we can in no other place.”
He also stressed that as human beings, one needed to exercise stewardship not as owners but as one charged with overseeing and looking after something.
