More climate change education needed

PEOPLE must be well informed about climate change and its related effects in order to take appropriate action and make the right decisions that will benefit them in the future.
This was the concern for many people, especially the elders of Sohoneriu village in the Penabu Nali Sopat LLG in the inland area of central Manus, following awareness on land use management plans carried out by The Nature Conservancy (TNC).
TNC carried out awareness on plans to maintain water and food security and biodiversity to help villagers in Sohoneriu and surrounding communities.
“The bulk of people in Sohoneriu and surrounding areas are still confused about environment conservation and the land
use management plans brought to their attention by TNC,” ward councillor Bartholomew Kulo said.
He said people were afraid of their land being registered, money given in exchange for their land or forest (carbon trade), and mapping of their customary land by the government or any other organisation, as land is very important to the people.
The confusion among people, he said, was a result of contributing factors or influences by people from outside the Sohoneriu area.
Kulo also said forest and land destruction by the people was a very big issue in the area and that people needed to be educated about their careless actions which contribute to climate change effects, thus, prevent further damages on their environment from happening. 
The people must understand and appreciate TNC and its partner’s efforts in trying to help them conserve their land and environment for the future, he said.
Meanwhile, youth representative Ludwig Charles shared the same sentiments, adding that the government needed to support non-governmental organisations like TNC to carry out climate change awareness training to better educate and empower youths in the area.
“Youths can have a big influence on issues affecting the community, thus need help and proper training to make changes in the area, as they will be the implementers of conservation and environmental issues in the future,” he said.
He said youths, like adults, also contribute to destroying the environment in one way or another, without realising it.
Therefore, Charles said, youths could assist in protecting and preserving resources on their land as well as help the older people or elders in the community to better understand conservation efforts by TNC and its partner organisations.