The Chief Guest, Honorable PM of Fiji, Tagaloa Sitiveni Rabuka, can speak of the following points on the occasion of the launch of the book.
[Acknowledge the presence of dignitaries and guests]
- I am extremely delighted and grateful to be given the honor to launch this rare and long-awaited volume titled, “Climate Change in Pasifika Relational Perspectives” led by the Toda Peace Institute. A research project under the leadership of Rev Dr Upolu Lumā Vaai with a very gifted team of editors: Dr Volker Boege, Dr Carol Fartbotko, Professor John Campbell, and Dr Tammy Tabe. The very experienced line up of contributing authors spread all over the region have done a tremendous work in articulating climate change from a relational and communities-based perspective. This book was published by the Pasifika Communities University Press, one of the growing publishing houses in the Pacific region. Let me first of all say, congratulations to the hard-working team in pulling together this extremely rare gift of research for the Pacific household. One that is grounded in the relational knowledge of Pasifika communities
- There is no question that climate change is the ‘single greatest threat’ in the Pacific today. However, I also concur with the editors and authors that it is also no longer a ‘single greatest threat.’ Since many organisations now refer to climate change as the central issue to the ‘polycrisis’ we find ourselves today, what is clear is that the climate change issue is less and less a ‘single greatest threat’. Rather, it is more a ‘global multifaceted threat’ with multiple convergences with all other issues. Due to this reality, we need to develop multifaceted responses through quality research, one that also recognises the wisdom of our communities and forebears.
- I browsed through the book, read some paragraphs, and marveled at the depth and extend of wisdom shared in this volume. The combination of chapters, poems, figures, tables, and graphs, carves a story of our struggle as a region under this global challenge called climate change and its intersection with conflict, peace, and security, and how we should collectively pursue a more holistic path under the guidance of our relational philosophies and values that our communities have sustained for centuries. I have no doubt that this volume will contribute to upgrading and transforming climate change research and discourse in the region
- For me, the book addresses a huge gap in climate change discourse. This volume intends to bring in other alternative marginalised approaches to the climate discourse. Especially the relationship between climate science and the relational wisdom of our forebears and Pacific communities. Today, I am very pleased to declare that we finally have a concerted volume that addresses this gap. Especially highlighting the role of our Pacific relational philosophies and wisdom in articulating the issue of climate change and providing future potential routes and pathways that work for our people in the Pacific.
- We heard from the editors tonight that politics and research, were and are largely bound to Western/Global North climate frameworks, which dominate the international climate change discourse, including the climate–conflict–peace nexus. Most of these discussions are grounded in Western philosophies and ideals, while sometimes miss the mark of the importance of our communities-based knowledge and spiritualities that our forebears had developed for centuries when it comes to climate resilience. It is evident that understandings of climate (science), conflict, peace, and security are shaped and confined by that discourse.
- This means that in the current climate change narrative, other ways of thinking, alternative approaches, are often ignored or marginalised, with considerably detrimental consequences not only for research and politics but also, more importantly, for the people who are most severely affected by the environmental, social, economic, cultural, physical, and mental as well as spiritual effects of climate change
- This is not to say that mainstream climate science is unimportant. This is to highlight the fact that we need a holistic multifaceted approach. While climate science provides the scientific logic and research information to assist policies and frameworks, the relational knowledge systems and the faith of the communities provide the ethical and moral guide to action and good living. As the editors have declared, the two, climate science and the communities-based knowledge and faith, must be held together in a ‘whole of life’ fashion for an effective approach to climate change, security, and peace. In today’s climate discourse, we must not just ask the question about the climate crisis. We must also ask the question of what it means to live a good life for the sake of a good society. The former is about science, rationality, and logic, the latter is about culture, relationality, and ethics. These must complement and inform one another
- Personally, what I find exciting about this volume is bringing back the role and importance of spirituality in addressing global issues such as climate change. Our faith and indigenous spiritualities should play a key role in addressing these issues. We are not just mere rational beings in pursuit of logical scientific mindsets. We are also people of communities, guided by our relationship to God, the vanua, and each other, aided by the values and morals of communities, including our faith communities. The voices of the communities must shape our responses, and their wisdom to guide our solutions. These kinds of holistic research approaches should be encouraged in our education spaces. Something that I believe PCU is leading.
- This book reminds me of the Blue Pacific Ocean of Peace that I had spearheaded with the Pacific Forum Leaders. Especially the importance of grounding our peacebuilding, peacemaking, and peacebuilding in approaches drawn from our national governance and cultural and faith systems for the sake of a resilient Pacific region of peace, security, and prosperity
- Again, it is an honor to be invited to launch this important volume. My hope is that these kinds of research will continue by our people to provide balance to scholarship and effective approaches to dealing with issues such as climate change.
“I NOW DECLARE THIS BOOK OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED!”
