Climate Change’s Interconnected Impact on Human Security in Fijian Villages
Climate Change’s Interconnected Impact on Human Security in Fijian Villages
By: Madalyn Tolbert
Situated in the heart of the Pacific Ocean, Fiji comprises over 300 islands and is isolated from its nearest developed neighbor, Australia, located 3,448 kilometers away. Fiji’s water security vulnerability is accentuated by its low-lying island status, subjecting it to frequent tropical cyclones, causing the country to grapple with the consequences of rising sea levels due to climate change. Rural villages in Fiji rely heavily upon climate-sensitive sustenance agriculture, have limited transportation access, and lack adequate infrastructure. Climate change serves as a powerful lens through which the intricate interplay between water security and human security in rural villages comes sharply into focus. A closer look at one particular Fijian rural village, Vusama, nestled within the coastal ridges of the Rove Peninsula, the case study of Vusama reveals how climate-induced vulnerabilities take a toll on community resilience and well-being.
Vusama is home to approximately 230 iTaukei, or Indigenous Fijian people, close to the Tuva River. However, due to its high salt content, the river does not serve as a freshwater source. The community’s livelihoods predominantly revolve around subsistence activities, which serve as crucial means of sustenance and income generation for residents.
The heavy dependence in Vusama on small-scale agriculture and fisheries for sustenance and income significantly impacts the community’s resilience to climate variations, affecting its ability to maintain livelihoods and secure sufficient food. The village’s placement in Fiji’s rain shadow zone and its vulnerability as a low-lying coastal area render its dependence on rainfall for crop irrigation and water table replenishment risky due to coastal erosion, flooding, and saltwater intrusion. Unpredictability in rainfall occurrences has threatened the village’s water resources, subjecting Vusama to unseasonal severe droughts. The repercussions on agriculture are serious. Acute food insecurity and economic hardships within the community have resulted from crop failures due to dry soil and the shortage of livestock feed.
The limitations in subsistence farming, catalyzed by climate change, have propelled migration to urban hubs, contributing to the erosion of traditional knowledge systems (TKS) and indigenous ways of living, further threatening community security. Traditionally, Fiji’s food security was maintained through diverse landraces, wild food sources, and Indigenous land preparation techniques, such as teitei gardens. However, commercial interests promoting high-yield cash crops have accelerated deforestation, strained water resources, and narrowed the spectrum of cultivated crops. The shift from polyculture to monoculture farming practices has resulted in a reliance on imported processed foods to achieve dietary variety. This has led to hidden hunger issues and an upsurge in non-communicable diseases, including type 2 diabetes, which affects 30% of Fiji’s population.
In an attempt to address the water insecurity in rural villages such as Vusama, in 2012, the Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) constructed boreholes, to provide a consistent freshwater source. However, the limited borehole capacity, inadequate water pressure for household distribution, and unsanitary storage conditions have compromised water accessibility and quality in rural villages. This has given rise to health risks such as waterborne illnesses including Staphylococcus infections. The increased prevalence of waterborne illnesses not only directly affects the health and well-being of community members, but also places additional strain on local water resources that could otherwise be used for consumption, health, or food production. Furthermore, pre-existing constraints, including political influence, limited land availability, and inadequate water infrastructure, hinder the village’s ability to cope with prolonged dry periods and their associated issues.
The situation in Vusama is not an isolated case within Fiji’s rural regions. Suva, Fiji’s capital and largest city has a high annual rainfall exceeding 6000 mm. However, Suva’s water supply and sewer system has faced challenges in meeting the demands of the city’s population growth, mainly attributable to an outdated and inefficient water distribution system. This system has led to notably high rates of non-revenue water (NRW), estimated at 70%. As such, the phenomenon of ‘urban droughts’ is becoming more frequent, hinting at worsening conditions. Disturbingly, reports have surfaced of water truck operators bribing PWD officials to intentionally cut off water supplies to neighborhoods, thereby boosting their water-trucking business. This issue persists amid Suva’s ongoing water crisis.
The interconnected challenges faced by both rural villages like Vusama and urban centers like Suva underscore the urgent need for comprehensive and sustainable solutions to address climate-induced water insecurity in Fiji. Vusama’s story serves as a microcosm of the broader changes unfolding across Fiji’s rural landscapes—changes that underscore the inseparable linkages between climate change, water security, and human security and demand integrated, holistic policy solutions.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Madalyn is a passionate advocate for environmental sustainability and equitable global development. She grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies and Environmental Studies from Emory University in 2022. She is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy degree at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University; her concentrations are International Development & Environmental Policy and International Business. She is an Environmental Security Intern at the Department of Defense’s US Indo-Pacific Command in Hawaii for the summer of 2024.