Last Friday a fun and energetic stringband and poster competition event was held at Sea Front Stage in Port Vila town. The event, which was organised by Live and Learn and funded by GTZ/SPC and NACCC, aimed to raise awareness of Climate Change issues in the Pacific and Vanuatu. Participation in the competitions was open to all Ni-Vanuatu stringbands and school children in Efate. A condition for entry into the competition was that the stringbands must perform one original song on the topic ‘Adaption to Climate Change in Vanuatu.’
Live and Learn held a stall near the stage with a poster display and information about what causes climate change, how it will affect Vanuatu communities and what action can be taken to adapt to the challenges it may bring. Ian Kalsuak from Live and Learn addressed the crowd, explaining that “climate change is predicted to cause important changes such as increased coastal erosion of beaches, decreased rainfall and coral bleaching”. Kami Robert, also from Live and Learn, told onlookers that “Climate change will affect us all in some way. Communities need to start talking about and planning how they will learn to live with these changes. Relocation of village buildings back away from eroded coastline and the planting of stronger varieties of crops to withstand temperature changes are examples of adaption options some communities may wish to consider.”
The winner of the 30,000 vatu prize for first place in the stringband competition was Vuod from East Efate, Epau Village, with a catchy tune that described the impacts that climate change would have Vanuatu, including rising sea levels and increased temperatures. A GTZ/SPC climate change DVD prize was also awarded to the person who correctly answered questions about issues raised in the song.
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