The resilience of Samoan communities in the face of climate change is providing a blueprint for other nations to follow, according to Samoa and Otago researchers.
It is one of the first studies to examine Samoa’s grassroots ability to adapt to climate change, and its authors warn officials risk ignoring village expertise at their peril.
The newly-released paper is co-authored by Dr Anita Latai-Niusulu from the National University of Samoa, and University of Otago Professors Tony Binns and Etienne Nel, both from the School of Geography.
The study, based on Dr Latai-Niusulu’s PhD thesis, interviewed 165 residents in villages across Samoa’s main islands Upolu and Savaii, including in coastal, inland, urban and rural areas.
More than 70 per cent of Samoa’s population lives in 330 rural villages across Upolu and Savaii, and most of the country’s infrastructure, population and development is near the coastline.
The researchers found villagers had a heightened awareness of climate change and noticed hotter days and longer dry spells, shorter periods of rainfall, stronger damaging winds, and sea level rise.
However rather than despairing at the prospect, villagers have developed a pragmatic and positive approach to impending climate changes.
Past natural disasters such as Cyclones Ofa and Val in the 1990s had a devastating effect on many communities, but the recovery period also brought opportunities for developing tighter social connections, new food supplies and infrastructural development and, in some cases, village relocation.
Professor Binns says the Samoan approach challenges general Western perceptions about Pacific nations’ ability to respond to climate change.
He says exposure to serious environmental challenges has not made villagers ‘fatalistic’ or ‘helpless’, but instead has given them a more optimistic outlook on life.
The close-knit Samoan village structure, with a village council (fono) made up of chiefly title holders (matai) from extended family units throughout the village, means that each villager has a voice at the local decision table.
Communities also regularly meet together at evening prayers to share information and strengthen social networks.
This, along with the fact that more than 80 per cent of Samoa’s land and resources are still collectively owned, means Samoans can engage in collaborative action against climate change.
Common strategies in all villages include diversifying food and water sources, being geographically mobile, having more than one place to live, and developing mental and spiritual strength.
“Such diverse livelihood portfolios and close community collaboration have generated an impressive level of resilience which communities elsewhere in the Pacific and beyond could well emulate,” Professor Binns says.
However, the study found climate change decisions in Samoa are primarily occurring at a national level, and are dominated by the views of government workers, consultancy firms and civil society workers.
Officials need to listen to community expertise and develop a more nuanced understanding of each village’s key concerns – which vary according each village’s unique geographical challenges, Professor Binns says.
“Governments need to carefully reconsider their expenditure in relation to climate change adaptation, with perhaps less spending directed towards building seawalls and coastal roads.
“More support should be given to other climate change adaptation initiatives such as village, church and family activities that strengthen social networks and build social memory.”
Learn more: Samoa climate change resilience challenges Western perceptions
The Latest Google Headlines on:
Climate change
[google_news title=”” keyword=”climate change” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
The Latest Bing News on:
Climate change
- Emergency: climate change threatens health in Europeon May 12, 2024 at 11:40 pm
May, the 2024 European report "Lancet Countdown on Climate change and health" was published. It reports on a range of adverse effects in ...
- Climate change hardly a burning issue for Indian voterson May 12, 2024 at 11:11 pm
The expectation for Indian politicians to 'be with the people' now encompasses standing with them through their lived experiences of climate change.
- Azerbaijan advocates global collaboration in combatting climate change at COP29on May 12, 2024 at 10:43 pm
Azerbaijan hopes for international cooperation to define solutions in combating climate change within COP29, COP29's lead negotiator, Yalchin Rafiyev, said during a workshop on capacity-building in ...
- Avocado could soon be toast as climate change wreaks havoc on cropson May 12, 2024 at 10:07 pm
Activists are calling for more support for avocado farmers as a report revealed climate change is having a “terrible impact” on the fruit.
- How 5 N.Y.C. Neighborhoods Are Struggling With Climate Changeon May 12, 2024 at 8:46 am
New data projects are linking social issues with global warming. Here’s what that means for these New York communities.
- For offshore wind to work, we must prioritize communities most impacted by climate change | Opinionon May 12, 2024 at 5:01 am
As we move forward with wind energy, we must ensure that the concerns of frontline communities are addressed and benefits are equitably distributed.” ...
- Good and bad battle on climate change in John Darnton's 'Burning Sky'on May 12, 2024 at 3:04 am
Good guys and bad ones battle over the effects of misguided human interference with climate change in Darnton's wild new dystopian novel.
- Editorial: State rejects issue vital to Palm Beach: Managing climate changeon May 12, 2024 at 2:15 am
Palm Beach is a coastal barrier island. Few places are more in need of attention to climate change, but the state is siding with fossil fuels.
- Newsletter: Ignoring the latest grim news on climate change won’t make it go awayon May 11, 2024 at 4:00 am
There's a huge difference between how scientists see climate change and public perception, plus more from Opinion.
- Florida lawmakers want to pretend climate change doesn't exist. That won't make it so.on May 11, 2024 at 2:19 am
Opinion: The Florida Legislature’s HB 1645 wishes away climate change by not allowing those two words to be used in state law.
The Latest Google Headlines on:
Climate change adaptation
[google_news title=”” keyword=”climate change adaptation” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
The Latest Bing News on:
Climate change adaptation
- PM checks transport infrastructure, climate adaptation projects in Can Thoon May 12, 2024 at 7:39 pm
(VOVWORLD) -As part of his working program in Can Tho, on Sunday, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh inspected a number of key infrastructure projects; examined the Chau Doc-Can Tho-Soc Trang expressway ...
- Unprecedented Climate-Fueled Flooding May Force a Political Reckoning in Brazilon May 12, 2024 at 10:26 am
Experts say the floods may mark an inflection point in the way Brazilians think about climate policy and adaptation.
- Pakistan, Azerbaijan agree to launch joint climate change adaptation initiativeson May 12, 2024 at 6:17 am
Prime Minister's Coordinator on Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Romina Khurshid Alam says Azerbaijan and Pakistan have agreed to launch joint climate change adaptation initiatives for ...
- Mitigating climate change is no longer enough. Europeans need protectionon May 9, 2024 at 5:20 am
Climate change is not merely an environmental predicament — it is a matter of social justice. Our transition to a sustainable future can only succeed if it brings people hope for the future and leaves ...
- Billions are needed for climate adaptation – now some frontline communities are deciding how the money gets spenton May 9, 2024 at 3:55 am
Katherine Browne and Margaret Angula talk to The Conversation Weekly podcast about a UN pilot in Namibia that’s pioneering community-led climate adaptation.
- Using theatre to tell Pacific stories of climate change and adaptation in Solomon Islandson May 8, 2024 at 5:00 pm
ABC Pacific is the trusted voice in the Pacific, connecting our neighbours with news, music, sport and conversations for all ages. More from ABC We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ...
- An ‘old tool’ can help local farmers adapt to climate changeon May 8, 2024 at 2:01 am
If we want to support farmers and have agriculture woven into the fabric of our communities for years to come, we must create more opportunities for farmers to connect with ...
- OCTA completes 2024 Climate Adaptation and Sustainability Planon May 1, 2024 at 9:19 am
The plan sets a framework for addressing the impacts of climate change on Orange County’s transportation system and is aligned with the state of California’s sustainability ...
- An organizing protocol for society’s approach at responding to climate changeon May 1, 2024 at 2:31 am
Huffington Foundation Professor of Economics and Environmental Studies, Emeritus Gary Yohe argues that adopting an iterative risk management approach is the most effective way when responding to clima ...
- We need to put tech to work to battle back climate changeon April 29, 2024 at 6:16 am
More on climate change:It's Earth Day, and local residents say climate change is an increasingly urgent issue In the summer, the Economic Development Administration will inform tech hub designees ...