2nd of March was a Warrior Day of Action in the Pacific region. Thousands of people came together at prominent locations on their islands to perform their unique war songs and dances. They were sending a message to the world: ‘We are not drowning. We are fighting.’.
Yes, Pacific Islanders are fighting. Fighting for their lives, fighting for their lands, fighting for their cultures. It’s time for them to raise their voices: they need to speak out and the world needs to listen.
Pacific Islands are on the front line of climate change. Their people see the effects of global warming on a day to day basis. Natural disasters, rising sea level, salt water intrusion… All of these have become a part of their existence. And although everyone understands that the location and geophysical characteristics of the islands make them particularly vulnerable, there are certain things the world could do in order to slow global warming.
So this is why Pacific Islanders need to take some action to show everyone that they don’t want to be victims. The Warrior Day of Action was a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate their power, solidarity and willingness to fight.
15 countries – Fiji, Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Tokelau, Niue, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, The Marshall Islands, Palau, Nauru, Tuvalu and Kiribati – were involved in the campaign, which was arranged by the 350 Pacific, a branch of an international environmental organization.
Everyone interested in the work of 350 Pacific may visit their website: pacific.350.org.
