Push for climate change plan

CLIMATE Change and Development Authority (CCDA) managing director Ruel Yamuna is urging the Morobe government to set a ward climate change activity plan funded under functional grants.
Yamuna said through the Asian Development Bank, managed Climate Investment Fund, the CCDA is working in partnership with various agencies like the National Agriculture Research Institute (Nari), National Disaster Centre and National Maritime Safety Authority among others to address the issue.
He said it was equally important for provincial government and administration in districts and local level governments to set affected wards’ climate change activity plans.
Yamuna said the climate change challenge was “here to stay” and was an issue affecting the wellbeing and livelihood of communities.
Yamuna said when launching a five-year activity plan for Building Resilience and Climate Change (BRCC) for Taemi islets, Aromot, Mandok and Malai islands in Morobe at Kalal islet on June 27.
“It is saddening to see the disappearance of the customary way of life in atolls and islands communities posed by rising sea levels,” he said.
Yamuna said climate change activities for Taemi islet would include water and sanitation, early warning systems and small grant facilities to sustain the local economy.
Community elder Gemtausu Daniel said the people had seen the disappearance of land portions, sandy beaches and reefs since Aug 2001.
“This islet (Taemi) will disappear near soon. I won’t be around to be affected but my children and grandchildren will be,” Daniel said.
The main source of income is fishing and the sale of traditional artefacts like carvings.