How are you impacted by climate change?
Well climate change―you can just see it outside your window here. I live next to the ocean―we live really close to the ocean―so you can see whatever is going on. You can see trees being destroyed and everything…you can just see it with your own eyes. It’s really sad sometimes.
How is it affecting the culture there?
We have first birthdays — they are really important culturally — called kememes. For one year old babies, we would usually have turtles to eat. Nowadays, we don’t do that anymore because of climate change.
In the US, there is a lot of climate speculation from people who don’t believe climate change is happening. What would you tell them from your viewpoint?
I would tell them that it is real. It’s real out here for us. They just don’t know it.
What is your advice to young people who do not see the impact of climate change on your community?
I would want them to know that even if we live in a very small island, islands matter and that we may be small but we are a big ocean country. So if we are doomed then they are doomed as well and I really believe that. I hope they keep fighting for us.
