The University of Fiji marks the important occasion of International Mother Earth Day, observed globally on April 22nd each year, as a reminder of the urgent need to protect and preserve the environment. The day highlights the importance of environmental conservation and encourages collective action to safeguard ecosystems and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Fiji, Shaista Shameen emphasized the importance of collective responsibility in addressing environmental challenges.
‘’For Fijians, the ocean, the sky and the land are deeply connected to identity, culture and future prosperity. Mother Earth sustains the soil that grows food, the reefs that support fisheries and the forests that protect watersheds, making environmental protection essential for both livelihoods and survival,’’ she said.
‘’Fiji and the Pacific Islands are already witnessing the impacts of environmental change. Rising sea levels threaten coastal communities, while increasingly powerful cyclones test the resilience of island nations. These challenges highlight the need for urgent climate action and sustainable environmental management’’, she said.
The day was officially recognized by the United Nations in 2009, highlighting the growing urgency of environmental issues worldwide. From climate change and deforestation to pollution and biodiversity loss, the global community continues to face significant environmental challenges that require immediate and coordinated action.
The University encourages youths, communities, government agencies, schools and universities to work together to reduce carbon footprints, preserve natural resources and promote sustainability in all aspects of life. With natural disasters becoming more frequent and severe, the call to end humanity’s conflict with nature has never been more critical.
The University also continues to promote awareness through research and storytelling. In 2021, it produced the documentary Drua, which captured multidisciplinary research demonstrating how traditional Indigenous knowledge helps communities mitigate and adapt to climate crises in the villages of Veiseisei, Lauwaki and Namoli.
This year’s theme for International Mother Earth Day, “Our Power, Our Planet,” calls for tripling global clean electricity generation by 2030, emphasizing the role of renewable energy in combating climate change.
The University of Fiji reminds citizens that the right to a clean and safe environment is protected under the Constitution of Fiji 2013, and with that right comes a responsibility to protect the planet. As there is no second Earth, the University calls on everyone to act now to safeguard the environment and ensure a sustainable future for all.
