Traditional Ecological Knowledge for Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction in Fiji

The report explores how traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) of the iTaukei people in Fiji serves as a cost-effective tool for climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction. It details specific TEK applications, such as traditional building techniques, food preservation, and natural early warning systems based on animal and plant behavior. The document also discusses the importance of traditional governance and spirituality in resilience and outlines current government efforts to revitalize and preserve this knowledge.

• Fiji is highly vulnerable to climate change, with sea levels rising by 6 mm per year since 1993, exceeding the global average. Primary threats include severe tropical cyclones, sea level rise, mass coral bleaching, floods, storm surges, and extended droughts.
• Traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) provides cost-effective alternatives to grey infrastructure. For example, traditional thatched houses (bures) are less susceptible to strong winds due to their weight distribution; in Navala, approximately 50% of traditional bures survived Cyclone Winston in 2016.
• TEK is used for early warning and weather forecasting through the observation of biological and celestial indicators. These include the flowering of breadfruit and plantains, animal behavior, and the appearance of rings around the moon.
• Specific iTaukei food preservation methods reduce vulnerability during disasters when electricity and water are unavailable. These include 'Davuke' (storing food in holes covered with plantain leaves), 'Vesa' (frying food without oil), and 'Kitu' (storing water and fruit in coconut shells).
• Traditional governance and spirituality significantly influence climate resilience. The roles of chiefs are essential for disaster response and biodiversity management, such as designating 'taboo' marine areas. The concepts of 'mana' and 'sau' relate to spiritual alignment and the ability of leaders to navigate challenges.
• The Fiji government, primarily through the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs and the iTaukei Institute of Language and Culture, is working to revitalize TEK through workshops, cultural mapping, and collaborations with various ministries and NGOs.

APA

Ali, I., Tikoitoga, M., Kocovanua, T. F., & Qi, J. (2025). Traditional Ecological Knowledge for Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction in Fiji. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2025-04/traditional-ecological-knowledge-adaptation-fiji.pdf

Chicago

Ali, Izhaar, Melaia Tikoitoga, Talei F. Kocovanua, and Jeffrey Qi. Traditional Ecological Knowledge for Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction in Fiji. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2025. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2025-04/traditional-ecological-knowledge-adaptation-fiji.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Ali |first1=Izhaar |last2=Tikoitoga |first2=Melaia |last3=Kocovanua |first3=Talei F. |last4=Qi |first4=Jeffrey |title=Traditional Ecological Knowledge for Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction in Fiji |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=April 2025 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2025-04/traditional-ecological-knowledge-adaptation-fiji.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{ali2025traditional, author = {Ali, Izhaar and Tikoitoga, Melaia and Kocovanua, Talei F. and Qi, Jeffrey}, title = {{Traditional Ecological Knowledge for Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction in Fiji}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2025}, month = apr, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2025-04/traditional-ecological-knowledge-adaptation-fiji.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }