Blasting may no longer threaten Fiji’s reefs but these vital ecosystems remain under attack.
These were the remarks by Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama at the COP26 meeting side-event on Coral Reef Rescue Initiative.
“Tt isn’t happening as quickly as with a stick of dynamite, but it is far more extensive, far more effective, and far more deadly. And humankind, once again, is the villain,” Mr Bainimarama told world leaders at the event.
In his address, the PM shared his early days of sailing where one of their many duties at the time was reef blasting –demolishing coral with explosives, carving channels for boats to safely pass through.
“Sadly, that work was in high demand. I travelled our waters blasting reefs – some of the richest and most vibrant sources of biodiversity on the planet – and went on to take that disastrous skillset with me into the Fijian Navy,” he shared.
“As I learned more about our reefs – and the lasting damage we were causing – my heart broke.”
Mr Bainimarama sid carbon was now a new weapon of choice.
“And when we emit it into the atmosphere, our ocean – the planet’s largest carbon sink – sucks up huge amounts of it. It warms the seas, and acidifies them, making it impossible for ocean life to thrive.
“I’ve watched how the changing climate is changing our oceans. I’ve seen mountains of bleached coral stacked on beaches. I’ve seen fish stocks decrease and reef structures levelled by cyclones. And I no longer suffer from the illusion that our oceans are endlessly resilient.
“A Fijian born today may not have a reef to visit by the time they reach my age. And in some of the more extreme warming scenarios, we risk turning the entire equatorial belt into a death zone.”
Mr Bainimarama says humanity will struggle to survive that massive loss in life, culture, economic potential, health and food security.
He said Fiji had fought at those negotiations to engrain the Ocean Pathway into the processes of the UNFCCC, and now leaders must decide where that pathway would lead.
“Number one, for the sake of the reefs, ocean, and the general habitability of the planet, we must cut carbon emissions. As that happens, we have to do the work of rebuilding the resilience of our reefs.
“And Fiji is open to partnerships to ensure that we pass our reefs on to coming generations.”
The PM said Fiji had partnered with the Green Climate Fund, the Global Fund for Coral Reefs, the Global Environment Facility, the WWF, the Bezos Earth Fund, and other multilateral, bilateral, philanthropic and private sector partners to help meet their commitment to sustainably manage all 1.3 square million kilometres of Fiji’s ocean, with 30 per cent declared as marine protected areas.
