Building a Resilient Tonga is the theme of this year’s National Climate Change Awareness Week, which started with  tree planting in ‘Eua on 13 September, 2022.

The tree planting was held on the coast of ‘Ohonua and Tufuvai by MEIDECC staff and students from ‘Eua High School.

‘Eua government representative Lolomana’ia Fili, said the program is important and he was glad that tree planting was held in ‘Eua due to the vulnerability of its coast to natural disasters and climate change.  

“We support this tree planting as it helps avoid coastal erosion due to future climate change and natural disasters."

Planting the coconut trees will remind them of the importance and continuation of tree planting, he said.

The program is hosted by the Department of Climate Change under MEIDECC.

MEIDECC Officer in charge, Hoifua ‘Aholahi led this work with the support of the Ministry of Agriculture. 

The objective of planting the trees is aimed to reach 1 million trees by 2023, after being initiated in 2021 and marked by British High Commissioner, H.E. Lucy Joyce.

Meanwhile, other programs held in Tongatapu this week to mark the National Climate Change Awareness Week, included a World Ozone Day on 19 September.

This is in addition to a secondary school climate change quiz competition, youth Climate Change Talanoa (Dialogue), commission of the Hihifo nursery and tree planting at botanical garden, Launch of Stakeholder Reports in an exhibition day ending on 23 September.