Adaptation to climate change in Nawairuku Village, Ra Province, Fiji

This thesis documents and describes how people in Nawairuku village in Ra Province, Fiji, are experiencing and adapting to climate change in the context of recent socio-economic changes. The research is distinct from other climate change impacts, vulnerability and adaptation research in the Pacific Islands region in that it focuses on people living in an interior village, whereas most previous research has been conducted with people living in urban areas in the coastal zone. An analysis of data collected through semi-structured interviews with 30 villagers, participant observation, and analysis of secondary sources reveals that recent socio-economic changes are influencing how people experience and respond to climate risks. In particular, the village is exposed and sensitive to an increase in the intensity of extreme weather events, namely cyclones and flooding, with consequences for agriculture, human health and well-being, and infrastructure. Despite a long history of coping with extreme weather events, responses to recent cyclones and floods have been mostly reactionary. Land ownership, changing agricultural practices, increasing autonomy of households from the central village leadership, and aid dependency were identified as key constraints to adaptation. Entry points to support adaptation include, providing people with skills training that would enable them to collaborate with aid organisations and the government to proactively climate-proof infrastructure and agriculture in ways that are consistent with local culture and ideals while keeping pace with climate change and new standards of extremes.Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Masters of Arts (Geography), University of the Sunshine Coast, 2018