Local resident Rapuma Tuqio, 67, looks out at seawater flooding around his home at high tide in Veivatuloa Village, Fiji, July 16, 2022. He has lived in the village for around 20 years, including 12 or 13 years in that seaside home. REUTERS/Loren Elliott
Boats moor next to living rooms on Fiji's Serua Island, where water breaches the seawall at high tide, flooding into the village. Planks of wood stretch between some homes, forming a makeshift walkway as saltwater inundates gardens.
Village elders always believed they would die here on prized land where their chiefs are buried.
Local boy Ratukali Madanawa, 8, pulls a fish from a net next to Serua Village, Fiji, July 14, 2022. As the community runs out of ways to adapt to the rising Pacific Ocean, the 80 villagers face the painful decision whether to move. REUTERS/Loren Elliott
But as the community runs out of ways to adapt to the rising Pacific Ocean, the 80 villagers face the painful decision whether to move.
Semisi Madanawa, raising three children who wade through playgrounds, says that given the flooding, erosion and exposure to extreme weather, the village may have to relocate to Fiji's main island to secure a future for the next generation.
Village elders are resisting, wondering if land reclamation might stop the sea from taking Serua Island's homes and ancestral burial sites, he says.
Villagers harvest edible seaweed, sea snails and other food sources during low tide next to Serua Village, Fiji, July 14, 2022. As the community runs out of ways to adapt to the rising Pacific Ocean, the 80 villagers face the painful decision whether to move. REUTERS/Loren Elliott
"It takes time for an idea to settle in the hearts of us human beings so we can accept the changes that are coming," says Madanawa, 38. "Climate change is happening and we need to make a decision."
Serua Island is one of many coastal villages making difficult decisions about their future, seeking government assistance for expensive projects to adapt or move, say Fiji government officials.
Leaders of 15 low-lying Pacific island nations declared climate change their "single greatest existential threat" at a mid-July summit in Fiji's capital, Suva.
Seawater floods past an ineffective sea wall into the community of Veivatuloa Village, Fiji, July 16, 2022. Leaders of 15 low-lying Pacific island nations declared climate change their "single greatest existential threat" at a mid-July summit in Fiji's capital, Suva. Facing some of the most direct effects of climate change, they want developed nations, who contributed the most to global warming, not only to curb their emissions but to pay for the steps that islanders must take to protect their people from rising sea levels. REUTERS/Loren Elliott
Facing some of the most direct effects of climate change, they want developed nations, who contributed the most to global warming, not only to curb their emissions but to pay for the steps that islanders must take to protect their people from rising sea levels. The push has become a key battle at United Nations climate conferences.
Building seawalls, planting mangroves and improving drainage are no longer enough to save villages in many cases, says Shivanal Kumar, a climate-change adaptation specialist in Fiji's economy ministry.
"A lot of communities are in genuine crisis, they've been trying to survive," he says. "The impacts of climate change have been felt for many years and there came a time where they gave up and said it's now time to move."
Local students Jona Togaciri, Talikai Kavu, Semisi Dradra, Tavaga Dradra and Joanna Dradra gather at the edge of a flooded sea wall during high tide, while working on a boat motor in Serua Village, Fiji, July 15, 2022. As the community runs out of ways to adapt to the rising Pacific Ocean, the 80 villagers face the painful decision whether to move. REUTERS/Loren Elliott
Relocation aims to preserve human rights by protecting people from rising seas, bigger storm surges and more extreme cyclones, Kumar says.
But the funds pledged by developed nations at U.N. climate conferences do not cover relocation, only adaptation, such as building a seawall, officials say.
At last year's global climate conference, called COP26, developed nations agreed only to keep talking about compensation for the unavoidable impacts of climate change, including migration, suffered by vulnerable societies.
Local resident Semisi Madanawa, 38, holds his daughter Aliti Madanawa, 3, during a fishing outing on his boat near Serua Village, Fiji, July 15, 2022. "It takes time for an idea to settle in the hearts of us human beings so we can accept the changes that are coming," says Madanawa. "Climate change is happening and we need to make a decision." REUTERS/Loren Elliott
The Pacific leaders at their summit called for developed nations to show meaningful progress at COP27 on a new goal - swift funding for such "loss and damage".
The president of COP26, British politician Alok Sharma, said in Suva on Wednesday he understood the disappointment of Pacific villagers on the front line of climate change.
"You are forced to deal with the consequences of greenhouse gas emissions generated largely by the biggest emitting countries, who are a long way from here. This is not a crisis of your making," he said in a speech.
Local resident Rapuma Tuqio, 67, looks out at seawater flooding around his home at high tide in Veivatuloa Village, Fiji, July 16, 2022. He has lived in the village for around 20 years, including 12 or 13 years in that seaside home. REUTERS/Loren Elliott
"We are going to have to find a way of having a substantive discussion on loss and damage at COP27."
Fiji, an archipelago of hundreds of islands some 2,000 km (1,200 miles) north of New Zealand, in 2014 became the first Pacific island nation to relocate a community because of rising sea levels.
Six villages have moved or plan to with government support, but a new process to prioritise the most urgent relocations is still under development.
Roemoni Tubivuna and his grandson Roemoni Tubivuna Jr., 10, prepare for a fishing outing at Veivatuloa Village, Fiji, July 16, 2022. Leaders of 15 low-lying Pacific island nations declared climate change their "single greatest existential threat" at a mid-July summit in Fiji's capital, Suva. Facing some of the most direct effects of climate change, they want developed nations, who contributed the most to global warming, not only to curb their emissions but to pay for the steps that islanders must take to protect their people from rising sea levels. REUTERS/Loren Elliott
A further 795 will need to move, says climate youth activist Salote Nasalo, who says she loses sleep thinking about where they can go. Pacific youth will continue protesting against inaction on financing by the big emitters, says Nasolo, a University of South Pacific student.
The first community to relocate was Vunidogoloa, after villagers invited officials to see how they lived with water up to their knees. Saltwater had destroyed the ability of the 150 residents to grow crops, taking away livelihoods and food security, says former village headman Sailosi Ramatu.
In the new village 1.5 km (1 mile) inland on Vanua Levu Island, children now sit outside their homes, dry feet planted firmly on the ground.
Verina Delasau, 63, moves about inside the home where she lives with family at the edge of the sea, behind a sea wall that no longer protects them from high tides, in Veivatuloa Village, Fiji, July 12, 2022. She has lived in this house for around 20 years. REUTERS/Loren Elliott
Ramatu, 63, says it took time to persuade the elders to move, but the village came together and listened to experts.
"We can also make a decision in the world if the leaders come together," he says. "They should help us, they should pay for our loss and damage."
(Reporting by Kirsty Needham in Suva and Loren Elliott in Serua; Writing by Kirsty Needham; Editing by William Mallard)
Local resident Selai Uluivuya fishes with a hand-line in an abandoned graveyard flooded by a high tide at Togoru Village, Fiji, July 12, 2022. Leaders of 15 low-lying Pacific island nations declared climate change their "single greatest existential threat" at a mid-July summit in Fiji's capital, Suva. Facing some of the most direct effects of climate change, they want developed nations, who contributed the most to global warming, not only to curb their emissions but to pay for the steps that islanders must take to protect their people from rising sea levels. Picture taken with a drone. REUTERS/Loren Elliott Locally harvested sea cucumbers cook in a pot in Serua Village, Fiji, July 14, 2022. As the community runs out of ways to adapt to the rising Pacific Ocean, the 80 villagers face the painful decision whether to move. REUTERS/Loren Elliott Seawater floods past an ineffective sea wall into the community of Veivatuloa Village, Fiji, July 16, 2022. Leaders of 15 low-lying Pacific island nations declared climate change their "single greatest existential threat" at a mid-July summit in Fiji's capital, Suva. Facing some of the most direct effects of climate change, they want developed nations, who contributed the most to global warming, not only to curb their emissions but to pay for the steps that islanders must take to protect their people from rising sea levels. REUTERS/Loren Elliott The moon rises over Serua Village, Fiji, July 13, 2022. As the community runs out of ways to adapt to the rising Pacific Ocean, the 80 villagers face the painful decision whether to move. REUTERS/Loren Elliott Local resident Tarusila Boseiwaqa walks along a sea wall that no longer protects homes from the intrusion of water at higher tides, as a rainbow forms over Serua Village, Fiji, July 14, 2022. As the community runs out of ways to adapt to the rising Pacific Ocean, the 80 villagers face the painful decision whether to move. REUTERS/Loren Elliott Local resident Emi Lawai feeds 9-month-old Jo Sorowai, as sister-in-law Naomi Dakai, a resort worker, looks after son Micah Dakai, 3, and her friend's daughter Sera Drenauna, 5, at home in the coastal community of Vunaniu Village, Fiji, July 13, 2022. Fiji, an archipelago of hundreds of islands, in 2014 became the first Pacific island nation to relocate a community because of rising sea levels. REUTERS/Loren Elliott Village children pass the time in front of a home next to a flooding sea wall at high tide in Serua Village, Fiji, July 15, 2022. As the community runs out of ways to adapt to the rising Pacific Ocean, the 80 villagers face the painful decision whether to move. REUTERS/Loren Elliott Local girl Tokasa Robanakadavu, 10, wades through seawater flooding her community during high tide in Serua Village, Fiji, July 15, 2022. As the community runs out of ways to adapt to the rising Pacific Ocean, the 80 villagers face the painful decision whether to move. REUTERS/Loren Elliott Local resident Tomasi Dioni looks after a bull at the inland relocated site of Vunidogoloa Village, Fiji, July 19, 2022. Fiji, an archipelago of hundreds of islands, in 2014 became the first Pacific island nation to relocate a community because of rising sea levels. REUTERS/Loren Elliott A view of the inland relocated site of Vunidogoloa Village, Fiji, July 18, 2022. Fiji, an archipelago of hundreds of islands, in 2014 became the first Pacific island nation to relocate a community because of rising sea levels. Picture taken with a drone. REUTERS/Loren ElliottThe inside of an abandoned home is seen at the former site of Vunidogoloa Village, Fiji, July 18, 2022. Fiji, an archipelago of hundreds of islands, in 2014 became the first Pacific island nation to relocate a community because of rising sea levels. REUTERS/Loren Elliott Unaisi Baleisuva sits on the remnants of an old home abandoned to rising seas while fishing with fellow local residents Losalini Matakitoga and Akisi Sukanaca at the former site of Vunidogoloa Village, Fiji, July 19, 2022. Fiji, an archipelago of hundreds of islands, in 2014 became the first Pacific island nation to relocate a community because of rising sea levels. REUTERS/Loren Elliott Local resident Roemoni Tubivuna departs for a fishing outing with his grandsons at Veivatuloa Village, Fiji, July 16, 2022. Leaders of 15 low-lying Pacific island nations declared climate change their "single greatest existential threat" at a mid-July summit in Fiji's capital, Suva. Facing some of the most direct effects of climate change, they want developed nations, who contributed the most to global warming, not only to curb their emissions but to pay for the steps that islanders must take to protect their people from rising sea levels. REUTERS/Loren Elliott Retired local resident David Tuimalawai prays with fellow community members during a Sunday church service in Vunidogoloa Village, Fiji, July 17, 2022. Leaders of 15 low-lying Pacific island nations declared climate change their "single greatest existential threat" at a mid-July summit in Fiji's capital, Suva. Facing some of the most direct effects of climate change, they want developed nations, who contributed the most to global warming, not only to curb their emissions but to pay for the steps that islanders must take to protect their people from rising sea levels. REUTERS/Loren Elliott Local residents fish in front of the abandoned site of the old Vunidogoloa Village, Fiji, July 19, 2022. Fiji, an archipelago of hundreds of islands, in 2014 became the first Pacific island nation to relocate a community because of rising sea levels. REUTERS/Loren Elliott Community members gather for a Sunday church service in Vunidogoloa Village, Fiji, July 17, 2022. Leaders of 15 low-lying Pacific island nations declared climate change their "single greatest existential threat" at a mid-July summit in Fiji's capital, Suva. Facing some of the most direct effects of climate change, they want developed nations, who contributed the most to global warming, not only to curb their emissions but to pay for the steps that islanders must take to protect their people from rising sea levels. REUTERS/Loren Elliott Local resident Roemoni Tubivuna and his grandson Roemoni Tubivuna Jr., 10, prepare a fishing net for an outing, as their boat rests against a flooded sea wall no longer effective at preventing water intrusion into their community at high tide, in Veivatuloa Village, Fiji, July 16, 2022. REUTERS/Loren Elliott Local resident Lusiana Suluweti walks the road from the inland relocated village site to the abandoned old village site by the sea to go fishing in Vunidogoloa Village, Fiji, July 18, 2022. Fiji, an archipelago of hundreds of islands, in 2014 became the first Pacific island nation to relocate a community because of rising sea levels. REUTERS/Loren Elliott Local boy Ratukali Madanawa, 8, takes a break from diving in the sea at Serua Village, Fiji, July 14, 2022. As the community runs out of ways to adapt to the rising Pacific Ocean, the 80 villagers face the painful decision whether to move. REUTERS/Loren Elliott Local resident Adi Latianara and niece Tokasa Robanakadavu, 10, prepare cassava root for eating in Serua Village, Fiji, July 14, 2022. As the community runs out of ways to adapt to the rising Pacific Ocean, the 80 villagers face the painful decision whether to move. REUTERS/Loren Elliott The inside of an abandoned home is seen at the former site of Vunidogoloa Village, Fiji, July 19, 2022. Fiji, an archipelago of hundreds of islands, in 2014 became the first Pacific island nation to relocate a community because of rising sea levels. REUTERS/Loren Elliott The morning's first rays of sunlight hit the island community of Serua Village, Fiji, July 15, 2022. As the community runs out of ways to adapt to the rising Pacific Ocean, the 80 villagers face the painful decision whether to move. REUTERS/Loren Elliott Children get off a school bus as they return home for the day to the new relocated site of Vunidogoloa Village, Fiji, July 20, 2022. Fiji, an archipelago of hundreds of islands, in 2014 became the first Pacific island nation to relocate a community because of rising sea levels. REUTERS/Loren Elliott Local boy Ratusela Waqanaceva, 14, wades through seawater flooding over an ineffective sea wall at high tide, as the community experiences flooding in Serua Village, Fiji, July 15, 2022. As the community runs out of ways to adapt to the rising Pacific Ocean, the 80 villagers face the painful decision whether to move. REUTERS/Loren Elliott Local children play along a sea wall that no longer stops the intrusion of water at higher tides in Serua Village, Fiji July 13, 2022. REUTERS/Loren Elliott Local resident Semisi Madanawa, 38, drives his boat from Serua Island to the mainland at high tide, while looking after Monika Betomakita, 11, who joined for the outing, at Serua Village, Fiji July 14, 2022. REUTERS/Loren Elliott
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