Pacific Climate Justice TREK

Hi readers! Today is Thursday, June 11^th, but this blog post is for yesterday, June 10th.

We started by driving to the Pacific Conference of Church’s (PCC) Farm to plant trees and tour. The farm is ran by Sepo and his son, with funding and training from the PCC. We started by planting 15 trees near the property line before moving through the rest of the property. Before stopping, I saw abiu trees, and egg fruit, among other vegetation. We stopped to ask questions and learned that PCC trains other church leaders in the pacific on the farm, so they can start their own in their communities. This is critical work to build resiliency in communities as they experience insecurity made worse by climate change. The farm is also trying to ease food insecurity within Suva by growing and selling cabaza – a local foodstuff that provides important calories for the community. Cabaza prices in markets have increased dramatically due to oil prices, becoming a problem for residents. The plant’s role is comparable to a potato, with more fiber. On the rest of the farm, we saw numerous types of trees, vegetables, and other plants, including honey and mangos. Sepo Jr. likes to collect honey, due to the predictable nature. After touring the farm, we shared cabaza with Sepo. The experience was another display of welcome shown to guests throughout the trip. This welcome goes deeper than simple manners; it is an aspect of the kinship valued throughout the islands and indigenous populations, a value which drives there actions and worldview.

The second part of the day was our 5^th lecture, presented by the owner of a small media company in Fiji: Netani Rika. He weaved together many ideas: the role of local initiatives, how media frames them, and responsibility when working with climate solutions. In the talk, he asked the simple question: what can you do? Instead of waiting for solutions from larger parliaments, what can be done in your own community? What efforts are already being done? He talked about these smaller, grassroots efforts having a tendency not to be as covered by the media as the bigger, flasher efforts (or sabotage of those efforts). Lacking an ability to be sensationalized, they also lack views. Netani also talked about the need for responsibility within climate solutions. He framed solutions not in terms of carbon emissions, but rather in terms of whether they were being used to help the community. The use of A.I. was one technology mentioned in the lecture, as Netani uses it for graphic design in his company. It allows him to get more local stories out, but cannot replace Fijian workers.

Finally, you all read about Barney Dunn yesterday. I was inspired and have been encouraged to show my work. Thanks for reading!

              For a man who ran, chasing wind and waves to freedom,

as they slapped against the hull, memory is water.

              As his boys back the ball between them, sweat

dripping down their back into sand, memory is water.

              To the drops that rise, becoming a flood for the rugby

sand, blanketed in blue, destructed memory is water.

              Now the boat on blue, before the sun meets the sea

instructed by forefather, his memory is water.

              As it catches less, disappearing from the shore, one day

takes three, poor memory is water.

              Returning to shore welcomed, cava passed

and spilled, shared memory is water.

              Retreating roaring waves, where they do not echo

in the green, no memory is water.