Climate Change: The Case of Fiji

Ina Djuren Start Date: Nov 22, 2017 - End Date: Mar 2, 2018
  • Cultural Exchange
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Volunteer Trip

My Travel Story

by: Ina Djuren Start Date: Nov 22, 2017 - End Date: Mar 2, 2018
  • Cultural Exchange
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Volunteer Trip
„WE ARE ALL IN THE SAME CANOE - NOT JUST THE ISLAND NATIONS BUT THE WHOLE WORLD. NO-ONE IS IMMUNE TO THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE. ALL 7.5 BILLION PEOPLE ARE IN THE SAME BOAT.“
Frank Bainimarana, Fijian prime Minister and President of the UN Climate Change Conference in Bonn (COP23)

As an architecture student with a background in finance and economics, I feel obliged  to engage in and address the topic of climate change. 

For me engaging in climate change is part of the job description - you can’t become an architect without participating in climate change. Every building - new and old contributes to climate change. The wellbeing of our planet has a lasting effect on all of us.. That's why the topic concerns myself not only as an architect, but also as a human. Therefore I decided to use my master thesis to have a closer look at climate change.

Why Fiji?

„AS PACIFIC ISLANDERS, WE ARE FIGHTING FOR OUR VERY SURVIVAL. FOR ALL WE HOLD DEAR. FOR ALL THAT GOD HAS GIVEN US AND HAS BEEN ENTRUSTED TO US BY OUR FOREBEARS TO CARE FOR AND PASS ON TO GENERATIONS TO COME. AND FOR SOME OF OUR NUMBER, THEIR VERY EXISTENCE AS SOVEREIGN NATIONS WITH LAND AND COASTLINES HANGS IN THE BALANCE.“ 
Frank Bainimarana, Fijian prime Minister and President of the UN Climate Change Conference in Bonn (COP23)

The threats caused by climate change to Fiji and other Small Island Development States (SIDS) are rising sea levels, extreme weather events and changes to agriculture.

On February 20th and 21st, 2016 Fiji was hit by cyclone ‚Winston‘. 43 people died and 62,000 people lost their homes. Building materials where scarce, that’s why rebuilding took its time. Some buildings still need to be reconstructed.

November 2017, Fiji had the presidency of the UN Climate Conference in Bonn to raise awareness for the case of SIDS and their fight against climate change. Important topics are adaption, mitigation, resilience and loss and damage. When the world fails in tackling climate change they are among the first to vanish, they are already suffering. Frank Banimarana said, that he wants „to make the Pacific story one of investment and innovation, not one of destruction and despair“. I would like to contribute to that with my master thesis. 

My thesis will confront different climate change scenarios for Fiji and discuss living on water, displacement and relocation. Finance and disaster relief are also important topics.
Important questions: In which ways is Fiji affected by climate change? What is the current situation and what are possible scenarios for the future? What does the traditional Fijian architecture look like and what are the latest news in architecture on the islands?
To answer these questions it is important to visit Fijian villages and get in touch with Fijians, politicians and organisations. The exchange with the Fijian community is essential for developing a concept that suits their needs and earns their acceptance.

Goal

I would like to use my master thesis to raise awareness for the situation of SIDS and climate change in the western world and offer solutions to the Fijian people, including finance. Furthermore I would like to point out where architects are able to help, before and when disaster hits. Solutions should emphasize help for self-help. 

Walt Disney once said „If you can dream it, you can do it.“ And I will do it.

But I need your help! Please support my project!

I'm going to travel to Fiji from March to June 2018. The costs of the jounrey will add up to approximately 6.000€. I will pay at least half the costs by myself. The actual costs will be verified at the end of the research trip. - If you will see me surfing I have probably paid for it myself. ;)

The first goal I'd like to reach: 3.000€.

Furthermore I would like to give the Fijians not only my master thesis and your attention, but also support the work of a Fijian organisation. That is why I would like to raise additional 3.000€. When we will reach 6.000€ in total I will add my tip from December onward.

It would be amazing, if we would reach that goal together to help the Fijian people. 

I'm happy about anyone who is going to support this journey - may it be with money, spreading the word or whatever else you may think about. I'm always open to engage in all sorts of events and activities to present this project to a broader audience so that the small island nations get the attention they deserve.

Let us fight climate change together! This is about our world!


(I will update the description, when news come up.)