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Coping with extreme weather: communities in Fiji and Vanuatu share their experiences and knowledge

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  • Karen McNamara
  • Shirleen Prasad

Abstract

Local communities across the Pacific Island region have long prepared for and managed extreme weather events. Strategies to cope with extreme weather, particularly cyclones and droughts, have involved using particular planting techniques, initiating innovative water storage practices, and employing food preservation tactics to survive. These local experiences and knowledge have been passed on between generations through stories and sharing practical know-how; however, very little formal documentation has transpired to date. This research attempts to document and synthesis these experiences and knowledge to safeguard them through written accounts but also demonstrate how Pacific communities can provide valuable, appropriate and effective strategies to prepare for and respond to extreme weather events. In-depth interviews (n = 40) were conducted with community members from three villages in Fiji (Naselesele, Qeleni and Yanuca) and three villages in Vanuatu (Piliura, Tassiriki and Lonamilo). While typically missing from community vulnerability and risk assessments in the Pacific, local experiences and knowledge are a core strength in enhancing adaptive capacity and planning community-based activities. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2014

Suggested Citation

  • Karen McNamara & Shirleen Prasad, 2014. "Coping with extreme weather: communities in Fiji and Vanuatu share their experiences and knowledge," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 123(2), pages 121-132, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:climat:v:123:y:2014:i:2:p:121-132
    DOI: 10.1007/s10584-013-1047-2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. D. King & A. Skipper & W. Tawhai, 2008. "Māori environmental knowledge of local weather and climate change in Aotearoa – New Zealand," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 90(4), pages 411-412, October.
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    1. Ilan Kelman, 2019. "Pacific island regional preparedness for El Niño," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 21(1), pages 405-428, February.
    2. Rachel Clissold & Ellie Furlong & Karen E. McNamara & Ross Westoby & Anita Latai-Niusulu, 2023. "How Pacifika Arts Reveal Interconnected Losses for People and Place in a Changing Climate," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-19, April.
    3. Langford, Alexandra, 2022. "Developing food markets in Vanuatu: Re-examining remote island geographies of food production and trade," World Development Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 28(C).
    4. Moleen Monita Nand & Douglas K. Bardsley & Jungho Suh, 2023. "Addressing unavoidable climate change loss and damage: A case study from Fiji’s sugar industry," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 176(3), pages 1-20, March.
    5. Ratih Dyah Kusumastuti & N. Nurmala & A. Arviansyah & Sigit Sulistiyo Wibowo, 2022. "Indicators of community preparedness for fast-onset disasters: a systematic literature review and case study," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 110(1), pages 787-821, January.
    6. Barbara Paterson & Anthony Charles, 2019. "Community-based responses to climate hazards: typology and global analysis," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 152(3), pages 327-343, March.
    7. Arno Pascht, 2022. "Preservation or Diversification? Ideas and Practices Connected with Sustainability in Vanuatu," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-13, April.
    8. Ilan Noy & Elodie Blanc & Madhavi Pundit & Tomas Uher, 2023. "Nowcasting from space: tropical cyclones’ impacts on Fiji’s agriculture," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 118(2), pages 1707-1738, September.
    9. See, Justin & Cuaton, Ginbert Permejo & Placino, Pryor & Vunibola, Suliasi & Thi, Huong Do & Dombroski, Kelly & McKinnon, Katharine, 2024. "From absences to emergences: Foregrounding traditional and Indigenous climate change adaptation knowledges and practices from Fiji, Vietnam and the Philippines," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 176(C).
    10. Danny Philipp Nef & Daniel Neneth & Patteson Dini & Carmenza Robledo Abad & Pius Kruetli, 2021. "How local communities attribute livelihood vulnerabilities to climate change and other causes: a case study in North Vanuatu," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 168(3), pages 1-20, October.
    11. Chandni Singh & James Ford & Debora Ley & Amir Bazaz & Aromar Revi, 2020. "Assessing the feasibility of adaptation options: methodological advancements and directions for climate adaptation research and practice," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 162(2), pages 255-277, September.
    12. Devendraraj Madhanagopal & Sarmistha Pattanaik, 2020. "Exploring fishermen’s local knowledge and perceptions in the face of climate change: the case of coastal Tamil Nadu, India," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 22(4), pages 3461-3489, April.
    13. Per Becker, 2017. "Dark Side of Development: Modernity, Disaster Risk and Sustainable Livelihoods in Two Coastal Communities in Fiji," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(12), pages 1-23, December.

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