Experiencing climate effects

 BORU village, in Abau district, Central, is experiencing the impacts of climate change, according to an advocate for the environmental community project Bero Lauri.
Bero said the impact included:

• Rise in sea level, huge waves and strong wind;
• shoreline erosion;
• varying weather patterns;
• food shortage; and,
• Diseases such as malaria.

“The sea level rise, surging waves and strong winds are causing erosion on the shoreline affecting homes and trees such as coconuts growing near the beach,” Lauti said.
“The changing weather patterns, strong winds and surge waves are preventing us from going out to the sea to fish.
“The fish are moving away as a result of strong winds and waves damaging the coral reef which provides a home to the fish. This has resulted in a low fish stock in our sea.”
Lauri said crops such as taro were affected.
“Food security is now is an issue during this time as our fish stock, taro and sago yields are decreasing,” Lauri said.