‘Without trees and forests, we don’t survive’ 

“One of the greatest challenges is undoubtedly climate change, and all of you living here are confronted with this threat in your daily lives particularly sea level rise,”  Prince Harry,  Duke of Sussex, British royal family,  told students at the University of the South Pacific in Fiji’s -  capital, Suva. Fiji’, is the former British colony of some 300 islands, where villages have been moved to higher ground to seek safety from rising seas.

“The World Bank found that there will be increasing rates of disease as average temperatures rise,  increasingly destructive storms as oceans get warmer and weather patterns become more severe, and the intrusion of saltwater on agriculture, which will harm local farmland.”

He also spoke about the impact of climate change which is already affecting  local communities like  the Colo-I-Suva community. “This country is highly susceptible to the impacts of climate change and it’s having a profound effect on people’s lives. 

“Just six years ago, Vunidogoloa became the first village to relocate to higher ground due to sea level rise. Since then five more have been moved. In the next 18 months, 10 more will be relocated. And in the next couple of years it is expected that over 40 villages will be displaced.

“We cannot ignore the reality of what’s happening around us,” The prince said.

Prior to the unveiling of the plaque at Colo-I-Suva, both the Duke and Duchess visited the University of the South Pacific campus in Suva to mark its 50th anniversary. There, they were treated to a performance by the Oceania Dance Troupe that was inspired by the impacts of climate change. The Prince warned of the perils of climate change, acknowledging its effect on low-lying Pacific Island nations.  Prince Harry speaks during a visit to the University of the South Pacific.

"We know that young people are the future of the Commonwealth. you will be the ones most affected by the global challenges that face us all, but you are the leaders who are creating the solutions," he said.   “You’re actually experiencing changing weather patterns, ferocious cyclones and rising sea levels, particularly in places such as Tuvalu and Kiribati, and you’ve been living with this for many years, way before the world actually started talking about it,” he said.

Worldwide, sea levels have risen 26 cm (10 inches) since the late 19th century, U.N. data shows, prompting plans to move more than 40 villages to higher ground in Fiji. The issue is seen as a security problem in the region.

Fiji was devastated in 2016 by Cyclone Winston, the strongest storm ever in the southern hemisphere, which killed 44 people and caused $1.4 billion in damage, a third of Fiji’s gross domestic product.

Climate agreement, has led a push for the developed world to cut carbon emissions to limit

rising temperatures and seas. If temperature rises cannot be limited to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels, swathes of Arctic ice would melt, coral reefs would be all but wiped out and wild weather worsen, according to a U.N. report.

While the Princehe travelled  K’Gari Fraser Island to unveil a plaque,  announced that the island has been dedicated under The Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy project. This new initiative brings together more than 90 forest conservation projects around the world and facilitates sharing of experiences and knowledge for the benefit of native forests and those who depend on them.

In his speech Prince Harry described the unique values of the world’s largest sand island and the importance of the conservation initiative founded in his grandmother’s name. “The Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy is an opportunity for the Commonwealth to unite to protect one of the world’s most important natural habitats – forests.  Forty-two out of the 53 countries are now taking part and I hope that others will join soon.” Said the Duke.

“The programme is committed to raising awareness of the value of indigenous forests and to saving them for future generations.  Put simply, without trees and forests, we don’t survive. It is a symbiotic relationship, and one that so many people still fail to realize.

There are now more than 200,000 acres of protected forest here on this island, and that is an enormous achievement.”

“It is up to us now to protect this paradise together – not just because it looks beautiful – but because it is an essential part of our existence, and will continue to be for our children and their children’s children.”