CONCEPTS, CHALLENGES, PERCEPTION, AWARENESS AND IMPLICATIONS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION IN THE FIJI ISLANDS: A CASE STUDY OF NAYAWA VILLAGE, NADROGA AND VUAKE VILLAGE, YAWASA ISLANDS by Lasarusa Turaga Cawanibuka A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts Copyright © 2016 by Lasarusa Turaga Cawanibuka School of Geography, Earth Science and Environment Faculty of Science, Technology and Environment The University of the South Pacific July, 2016 Dedication To Yahweh the Al Shaddai and Elohim of Israel, God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Source and Main Provider of Knowledge, Wisdom and Understanding, unto whom ascribe Power, Majesty and Honor. To the Memory of my Late Mother Ilisapeci Cawanibuka who was called to eternal rest on October 29th, 2013. To my family, Alifereti Cawanibuka (father), Sera Cawanibuka (sister), Nacani Cawanibuka (brother), Nina Cawanibuka (wife), Keresi Cawanibuka (sister in law), Sera Hadassah Cawanibuka (niece), Alifereti Joshua Cawanibuka (nephew), Iva Tawake (aunty) and Orisi Rawaqa (cousin). To the Vuniwai family (Tamavua), Cagiloaloa family (Gilford, Sydney), Danford family (Cambeltown, Australia) and Waqanicagica family. iii Acknowledgments A special thank you goes to my parents, my father, Alifereti Cawanibuka and my mother, Ilisapeci Cawanibuka who passed away in 2013. Your love, prayers, support and teachings have been my source of inspiration and perseverance. I must acknowledge my wife, Nina Cawanibuka who really played a major role in my success. Thank you Nina for always being there for me along the journey. My brother, Nacani Cawanibuka and sister, Sera Seruvatu deserve a special thank you for always giving me the much needed advise, encouragement and most importantly, financial support during the course of my study. I am greatly privileged and honoured to acknowledge the commitment and passion of my supervisor, Dr. Eberhard Weber, who guided me throughout the journey. A big vinaka vakalevu to you Sir. I would also like to thank my co-supervisor, Dr. John Lowry. Thank you for the tremendous support and assistance given to me. It was an honour working with you Sir. I must thank the Associate Dean, Dr. Sushil Kumar and the Faculty of Science, Technology, and Environment for providing the necessary funds which has enabled the successful completion of the study. I would also like to acknowledge Mr. Serupepeli Tagivakatini for always giving his time in sharing his wealth of knowledge and experiences during the study. A special thank you goes to the Vanua o Madudu, Nayawa village, Sigatoka and Vanua o Drola, Vuake village, Yasawa for traditionally receiving me and approving my stay for the course of the study that was to be undertaken. I thank the matanivanua and all the families of Nayawa and Vuake who were very accommodative and supportive during my stay at the two villages. A big vinaka vakalevu to Aporosa Tabulawaki of Nayawa village and Jo Maraiwai of Vuake village for the great assistance and hospitality. Finally, I offer a special thanks to Dr. Rosiana Lagi (FALE – Faculty of Arts, Law and Education) for sharing her experience in a similar study she accomplished. Her insight and professional advice inspired me during the course of my study. Vinaka vakalevu! iv Abstract The purpose of the study was to identify the livelihood and environmental challenges experienced by two coastal villages in Fiji. In addition the study also intends to highlight peoples’ perception regarding Climate change and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA). Implications of Climate change related hazards will be addressed and adaptive measures undertaken. The first study was conducted at Nayawa village located on the east bank of Sigatoka River in the peri-urban area of Sigatoka, Nadroga. The second study took place at Vuaki village, situated on the island of Matacawalevu in the Yasawa island group. Focus Group Interviews and questionnaire surveys were used to collect qualitative as well as quantitative data. Content and statistical analysis was used for qualitative data while descriptive analysis was used for quantitative data. Results indicate that there is a high level of perception and awareness about CC. This is shown by the target groups in terms of having the ability to define and provide real life examples of climate change and its implications on the natural environment and society. Findings illustrate that the majority of the community are involved in the tourism industry as well as fishing and farming activities for both food and cash income. The majority of key respondents are either formally employed or self-employed. In addition, results shows that most of the households have more than one source of income due to the many difficulties and challenges faced by the two coastal communities. Having only one source of income is not enough for a sustainable and secure livelihood. Government and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) have provided overwhelming support in terms of finances, logistics and infrastructural assistance towards the two study sites. Lessons gathered from the talanoa sessions and observations, oral tradition and traditional knowledge is very limited and climate change adaptive capacity varies significantly. It is concluded that a holistic approach towards planning adaptive and mitigation strategies is needed. The promotion of more consistent awareness programs and the documentation of traditional knowledge are highly recommended. v Abbreviations ADB – Asian Development Bank AUSAID – Australian Agency for International Development CBDAMPIC – Capacity Building for the Development of Adaptation Measures in Pacific Island Countries CC – Climate Change CCA – Climate Change Adaptation CCE – Climate Change Education CIDA – Canadian International Development Agency COP – Conference of Parties CROP – Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific CVA – Climate Vulnerability and Adaptation DRM – Disaster Risk Management EIA – Environmental Impact Assessment ENSO – El Nino Southern Oscillation EU – European Union FAO – Food Agriculture Organisation FNCCP – Fiji National Climate Change Policy GHG – Greenhouse Gas GVI – Global Vision International (NGO) IK – Indigenous Knowledge IPCC – Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change JICA – Japan International Cooperation Agency LEK – Local Ecological Knowledge NGO – Non-Governmental Organization NH – Natural Hazards vi OISCA – Organization for Industrial, Spiritual and Cultural Advancement PCCP – Pacific Climate Change Programme PIC – Pacific Island Countries PICCAP – Pacific Islands Climate Change Assistance Programme PIFACC – Pacific Islands Framework for Action on Climate Change PIFS – Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat RMA – Risk Management Approach SK – Scientific Knowledge SL – Sustainable Livelihoods SIDS – Small Island Developing States SOPAC – South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission SPC – Secretariat of the Pacific Community SPREP – Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme SPSS – Statistical Packages for Social Sciences TC – Tropical Cyclone TEK – Traditional Ecological Knowledge UN – United Nations UNDP – United Nations Development Programme UNEP – United Nations Environment Programme UNESCO – United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organisation UNFCCC – United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change UNISDR – United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction USP – University of the South Pacific WHO – World Health Organization WS – Western Science WWF – World Wide Fund for Nature vii Fijian Terms Balolo – Acanthurus Auranticavus Balolo lailai – Acanthurus Auranticavus Bua ni Viti – Fragaea Berteroana Buabua – Frangipani Bulubulu – Juvenile shark Cagoloya – Shampoo ginger Cawaki – Sea urchins Dairo – Sea cucumber Dakua Salusalu tree – Retrophylium Vitense Dalo – Taro Dawa – Logan Tree Damanu – Calophylium Leptocladum Drala – Coral tree Dilio birds – Golden Plover Dilo tree – Callophyllum Inophyllum Doi tree – Alphitonia Zizyphoides Duruka – Saccharum Edule Dri – Stonefish Gasau – Reeds Ika drokadroka – Green fish Ivi -Tahitian Chestnut I – Taukei – Major indigenous people of the Fiji Islands Kaikoso – Seawater mussels Kanace – Blue tail mullet viii kauceuti – Turrillia Vitiensis Kaudamu – Nutmeg tree Kaunigai – Canarium Harveyi Kawakawa – Cod Kavere – Sea noodles kavika – Malay apple Kuasi – Podocarpus Neriifolius Kumala – Sweet potatoes Kuita – Octopus Lairo – Land crabs Lawa ni ika – Fishing net Loliloli – Lollyfish (sea cucumber) Lololo – Storage house Lumi – seaweed Mako –Trichospermum Makosoi – Perfume tree / Ylang Ylang Mata veitokani – Youth group Matu – Blacktip silver Maqo – Mango Moli – Citrus fruit Nuqa – Rabbit Fish Oga – Traditional Obligation (occasion) Tomanu tree – Emmenosperma Micropetalum Ugavule – Coconut Crabs Qari (mangrove crabs) Salala – Pacific Makerel Saqa – Travelly ix Sekoula tree – Flame tree / Delonix Regia Solesolevaki – Communal work (working together as a group) Soli vaka koro – Village money collection Soli vaka misinari – Money collection for mission / church Sucuwalu – Sea cucumbers (later dried and processed into beach-de-mer) Talanoa – sharing of historical and traditional stories, myths and teachings Tiri – Mangrove trees Tivoli – Wild yam Turaga ni koro – Village headman Urau – Lobster Uvi – Yams Uvi Leka – Small yams Vainaviu – Pineapples Vaivai ni Vavalagi – Raintree / Monkey Pod tree Vesi – Intsia Bijuga Vola ni kawa bula - legal record of the genealogies of land-owning units