LONG GUARDIAN ARTICLE REFLECTION

Whilst reading this article, the possibility that Fiji may no longer exist really hit home. With the recent climate change, dozens of villages could soon be under water!

Fiji is situated in the Pacific Ocean, 1,800 miles east of Australia. It has a population of just under 1 million and is mainly inhabited by tribes, around its 300+ islands.

Over the past 3 years, a special taskforce has been trying to figure out how to 'make the country whole again'. This hasn’t been so greatly received due to conflict in religion and way of life.

In 2016, Cyclone Winston killed 44 people and caused $1.4 billion worth of damage. Due to this, 42 Fijian villages have been marked for relocation within the next 5-10 years; however, this is proving more and more difficult. There are many cultural barriers between our modern world and rural Fiji. They wish to keep their cultural sexism and hierarchy as they believe 'it works the best' for them. Overall meaning they reject our help and inclusivity. 

With the new developments in Fiji, there came positives and negatives to the new location. It will mean the people now have access to a main road, better schools, opportunities to travel and better health care. However, alongside this comes crime and alcohol; downgrading the overall quality of life within the new settlement. On the other hand, the government are providing eco-friendly housing. This aims to continue to please the locals, whilst remaining sustainable in their plan.

because of the Cyclone, many were afraid to move, being sceptical and not wanting to lose what they already have. This became a problem as it slowly spread people out of their tribes; becoming a government issue when those people died. Furthermore, the people of Fiji did not want to accept any settlement money and refused to be swayed in their beliefs. Many people of Fiji are deeply connected to the land and extremely spiritual. Our offer to help them was then seen as an impertinence, causing a spiritual up raw within the islands.

Torogu is a place within Fiji that refuses to move and perceives whatever happens is meant to happen. A Mrs. McGroom of Torogu says, "I'm too old to start anew! I'm telling my grandchildren; try to be better off. Go to school, achieve your goals, work, earn money and bugger off overseas, that's all. I see no future for Torogu after I die.". This was very heartfelt and honest comment made in an interview with the Toroguan people in 2018. Proving that there's just no use in trying to help the people that don't want to be saved. 

Overall, I believe we are doing the right thing to try and help the country, they clearly need it. However, I also believe that since the country is so spiritual that we should leave them to deal with it in their own way. The correct way, would be to speak to each village in danger individually and respect their decision, making sure the country remains united and happy.

This article was eye opening to read, as I was unaware of the situation arising in Fiji. Climate change is happening all over the world, majoritively for the worse. At least in Fiji, the rest of the world is doing what they can to put it right. Controversially, it could be argued that building all these new settlements is massively contributing to global warming. However, this is not a reflection to analyse our building techniques. Overall, I believe that we are trying to do good by the country and we should understand and respect Fiji's wishes to be left alone when wanted.