By Eleanor Gee

An exhibition held under the theme ‘Increase Climate Action to Save Tonga’ saw government departments, civil society organisations, private sector, and others showcase what they are doing to combat climate change at the Queen Salote Memorial Hall today, 16 August.

The event also included the launch of Tonga’s Third National Communication Report to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) [2]. The aim of the UNFCCC is to prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system.

Guest of honour, Minister for MEIDECC, Hon Poasi Tei, said climate change is recognized as the single greatest threat to our environment, people of Tonga and their livelihoods as well as the sustainable development of the country.

“Sea level is rising, ocean is warming, tropical cyclones are more intense as we had witnessed with Tropical Cyclone Gita, flooding, drought, are affecting us all. Hence the need to echo this year’s theme ‘Increase Climate Action to Save Tonga’.”

In his capacity as Minister for Climate Change, Hon Poasi Tei said he was pleased to see all participants at the exhibition and strongly encouraged them to continue working together to “strengthen and enhance our capacities by pooling all our efforts together, at the national, sectoral, and community level to safeguard our people, our land and our ocean”.

“Only then can we achieve our sustainable development aspirations and a resilient Tonga.”

A variety of stalls showcased recycled materials, climate change artwork by students, and government departments displayed work they are working on such as renewable energy, and monitoring salinity in Tonga's fresh water lens. 

Chairperson of the Fo’ituluta Women and Economic Development Group from Ha’atafu, Melesila Weilert, said this is the third year they have been involved with the exhibition displaying items made by women in her community to combat climate change.

She said the group promotes no burning and turns used items such as plastic bottles into pot plants.

“Our aim is to reduce, re-use, and recycle. This is important as it applies to all our projects. Even the paper roll used for aluminium foils, we don’t throw it away. We use it to make napkin holders and curtain holders.”

“We are happy to take part in this exhibition to inspire women and everyone else that we have the power to do the best we can.”

“Firstly, we can all help to protect Tonga from global warming, and secondly by working together, we can make a difference.”

She said living in Ha’atafu where the land is around 705 metres in width surrounded by the ocean, they must consider the environment in everything they do.

“If women in a small village like Ha’atafu can do it, why can’t women in bigger villages do the same?”

The exhibition was part of National Climate Change Awareness Week, involving Tonga Red Cross, Tonga National Youth Congress and other organisations, as well as government departments.