03 May 2025, Port Vila, Vanuatu – With continuous efforts from the Climate Change team in Torba, the community and team initiated on Tegua Island a groundbreaking - the Ligarak ClimateWatch Trail. This community-led project will facilitate long-term environmental observation, merging scientific methodologies with local knowledge to monitor climate change impacts on plant life and ecosystems. Community members were also trained on accessing and interpreting VMGD's weather and climate information services. Six new ClimateWatch spots were identified across the island, which will be used to regularly monitor key traditional weather and climate indicators.
The dedicated Climate Change team has been actively engaging communities across the remote Torres Group islands in an intensive Climate Change Awareness Program. The initiative aims to bolster understanding of climate change impacts, enhance community resilience, and integrate traditional knowledge with modern scientific approaches.
The first leg of the program saw successful engagements on Loh Island. VMGD's Principal Scientific Research & Development Officer, John Ruben, led interactive sessions at Robin Primary and Junior Secondary School, reaching students and staff with crucial information on weather forecasting services, climate information products, geo-hazard awareness, and the valuable role of traditional weather indicators. Later, the team held a community-based session in Lungharige, adapting the information for broader accessibility and emphasizing how local knowledge can strengthen resilience strategies.
Building on this momentum, the team moved to Loh Island, which saw DoCC’s Mitigation Officer Jasmina Takaro and Senior Monitoring and Evaluation Officer Johnnie Tarry Nimau deliver further awareness sessions at Robin School Junior Primary and the Lunghariki Village community. These sessions provided an overview of the Ministry of Climate Change and DoCC, clearly defining climate change, its causes and impacts, and introducing adaptation and mitigation strategies. Impressively, the sessions engaged 131 students and 47 registered community members, with additional attendees highlighting the strong local interest in the topic.
Simultaneously, the team conducted crucial Vulnerability and Climate Impact Assessments, alongside Monitoring and Evaluation of Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction (CCDRR) projects. These assessments targeted local leaders, chiefs, and teachers, aiming to gauge the impact and sustainability of ongoing initiatives.
The program then moved to Toga Island, which saw the VMGD and Van-KIRAP Project collaborate on awareness sessions at Bakavegug Primary School and the Litua community. A key focus was the synergy between traditional ecological knowledge and scientific data. Elders shared their insights on environmental signs and seasonal changes, emphasizing the strength in combining these approaches for enhanced community preparedness. Earthquake preparedness was also a vital topic, along with the introduction of the new VMGD Weather App and the toll-free number 116 for accessing critical weather and disaster information.
The session at Bakavegug Primary School was particularly impactful, reaching 143 students from classes 1 to 6. The DoCC team adapted their communication to ensure young learners grasped the essential messages about climate change impacts and community-level actions. Teachers and the principal expressed their gratitude for the visit, recognizing the importance of such initiatives in remote areas with limited access to information.
Earlier on Tegua Island, the team engaged the smaller Lirak community, simplifying complex climate change information for better understanding. Consultations focused on vulnerability assessments and the monitoring of CCDRR initiatives. The team also noted the presence of caves used as cyclone shelters; a common adaptation strategy observed across the islands.
The ongoing Climate Change Awareness Program demonstrates a strong commitment to empowering remote communities in Vanuatu with the knowledge and tools necessary to face the challenges of a changing climate. By fostering collaboration between scientific expertise and traditional wisdom, the initiative is building a foundation for long-term resilience and sustainable development across the Torres Group.