Transcript Tonga`s Climate Change Officer - Amelia Ma`afu

TONGA’S CLIMATE
CHANGE OFFICER
Amelia Ma’afu
Many of Tonga’s islands are
experiencing the serious
effects of climate change.
Rising sea levels are
damaging coastlines,
houses and coconut trees.
Extreme weather
events such as
cyclones and storm
surges are more
frequent.
Many Tongans have reduced
access to fresh water due to
salination of ground water.
Rain water has to be
harvested to provide families
with water for cooking,
cleaning and drinking.
The area of Tonga most
affected by climate change
are the Ha’apai islands.
They are mainly low-lying
coral atolls and reefs.
People live very
simply in Ha’apai.
Many lost their homes during
Cyclone Ian in 2014.
Amelia visits communities in
all parts of Tonga monitoring
the effects of climate change,
and gathering traditional
knowledge about effective
adaptation methods.
In 2016, Amelia oversaw
the repair of many older
water tanks in the Ha’apai
island group, supplying
safer water to 178 families.
She also organised for some brand
new water tanks to be placed near
community meeting places.
This is the safest water to drink.
Amelia also conducts training
to raise awareness about
climate change impacts, and
helps communities to develop
action plans for coping with
these changes.
She meets with people like Soane
Vili who is the Principal of Pangai
School and also a Caritas volunteer.
He teaches his students about
disaster-preparedness.
If there is an earthquake, the students are
taught to get to higher ground as soon as
possible. This could mean climbing the cell
phone tower or climbing onto the school
roof.
Amelia organises a warehouse
of pre-positioned supplies, so
that essential items can be
shipped to the Ha’apai islands
within days of a natural disaster
occurring.
In February 2014, Caritas
Tonga shipped food, water
and hygiene kits to the
Ha’apai islands, and other
affected areas.
Amelia works closely with
Caritas Aotearoa New
Zealand to prepare Tongan
people to cope with the
effects of climate change.
Amelia also represents the
people of Oceania at
international meetings about
climate change.
She urges people throughout
the world to reduce their
carbon emissions, so that
Tonga will have a brighter
future.
This Lent you can help Amelia
and the people of the Pacific as
they adapt to climate change.
Even more importantly, you can
play your part to reduce the
world’s greenhouse gas
emissions.
Malo!
Photo Credits: Caritas Tonga and Caritas Aoteroa New Zealand