Adaptation to Climate Change in an Interior Pacific Island Village: a Case Study of Nawairuku, Ra, Fiji

Renee Currenti; Tristan Pearce; Teresia Salabogi; Luke Vuli; Kiniviliame Salabogi; Brendan Doran; Roger Kitson; James Ford

doi:10.1007/s10745-019-0049-8

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Adaptation to Climate Change in an Interior Pacific Island Village: a Case Study of Nawairuku, Ra, Fiji

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Adaptation to Climate Change in an Interior Pacific Island Village: a Case Study of Nawairuku, Ra, Fiji

Renee Currenti, Tristan Pearce, Teresia Salabogi, Luke Vuli, Kiniviliame Salabogi, Brendan Doran, Roger Kitson and James Ford

Human Ecology, Vol.47(1), pp.65-80

2019

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10745-019-0049-8

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Abstract

agriculture

disaster

livelihoods

natural hazard

climate change

vulnerability

Fiji

Pacific Islands region

We examine how residents of Nawairuku, an interior village in Ra, Fiji, are experiencing and responding to recent social and ecological changes. An analysis of data collected using semi-structured interviews with 27 households reveals that household adaptability - the ability or capacity to adapt to the impacts of climatic variations - depends on access to livelihood assets. All households have access to social capital through familial networks, which lessens the burden of extreme weather events, namely cyclones and flooding. Households with access to tangible assets such as land and the equipment and resources to utilize it, together with intangible assets like motivation and knowledge are better positioned to adapt their agricultural practices to changing climatic conditions. Households headed by a capable individual were also better positioned to adapt. We conclude that remoteness promotes self-sufficiency and initiative, and access to livelihood assets influences household capacity to adapt.

Details

Title: Adaptation to Climate Change in an Interior Pacific Island Village: a Case Study of Nawairuku, Ra, Fiji
Authors: Renee Currenti (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - School of Social Sciences
Tristan Pearce (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
Teresia Salabogi (Author)
Luke Vuli (Author)
Kiniviliame Salabogi (Author)
Brendan Doran (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
Roger Kitson (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
James Ford (Author) - University of Leeds, United Kingdom
Publication details: Human Ecology, Vol.47(1), pp.65-80
Publisher: Springer New York LLC
Date published: 2019
DOI: 10.1007/s10745-019-0049-8
ISSN: 0300-7839; 0300-7839
Organisation Unit: School of Social Sciences - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering; Sustainability Research Cluster
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99451488902621
Output Type: Journal article

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Web Of Science research areas: Anthropology; Environmental Studies; Sociology

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