Mobilising young people in the fight against environmental degradation is proving to be a powerful force.
President of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Fiji Volunteer Programme, Mikaele Finau shared this while touching on the growing waste crisis that’s plaguing Fiji.
Speaking on the program’s upcoming initiatives and its broader mission, Mr Finau said this waste crisis must be addressed at its root, starting with individual responsibility in homes and communities.
“We can conduct numerous clean-up campaigns every month, but a lot of rubbish will still remain,” he said.
“The root cause is us, the consumers.”
He stressed that while public clean-up efforts were important, sustainable change comes from changing behaviours and mindsets.
“It is very important we address the waste crisis from our individual homes.
“People need to realise the impacts, not only in our community but also on plant life and marine life.”
With youths making up Fiji’s largest demographic group, Mr Finau believes their collective effort can create lasting impact.
He called for greater engagement of young people, from primary school students to university youths, to promote waste education and responsible consumption habits at home.
“You can always come back home, tell mom and dad about it, your cousins, grandparents, even educate them about it. The impact would be incredible.”
The WWF youth volunteers will soon travel to Tavua to implement a waste management project in partnership with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change’s anti-litter campaign, “Do the Right Thing.”
The initiative aims to address waste issues in a community identified as heavily impacted by pollution.
