NATURE-based solutions are not just about the new science that we are discovering, but it is also about making use of the traditional knowledge and wisdom that has been passed down through generations.
Japan’s deputy director of the Centre for Climate Change Adaptation Jun Nishihiro highlighted this while making a presentation at USP in a seminar on nature-based solutions for Disaster recovery and climate change adaptation: Insight from Japan’s experience.
Mr Nishihiro is in the country to share Japan’s views on nature-based solutions which are being discussed and debated there.
“I thought it was important to share that information here in the Pacific,” he said.
“I think Japan and Fiji share similar challenges and issues. You face natural disasters like cyclones, which we have in Japan, which are typhoons, and then earthquakes as well.
“And on the other hand, we both share a country with a wealth of nature.
“In fact, when it comes to nature, Fiji is further than us. You are very wealthy in terms of what you have as nature.
“So, in that sense, we have commonalities, and I thought it was important to talk about nature-based solutions because it is very important to have a balance between economic sustainability and ecological conservation.”
Mr Nishihiro said when talking about nature-based solutions, it was important to ensure that local knowledge was utilised and how it was evaluated using the new science.
“That is how we build for the future.
“This, I think, is a common approach that can be taken in Fiji and Japan.
“So, in my lecture at USP, I did mention a book that we published, in which we collected all the traditional wisdom and traditional knowledge for the general population.”
