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Youth in Oibola Community Take Action Against Rising Sea Levels

Youth in Oibola Community Take Action Against Rising Sea Levels
π΄π‘Ÿπ‘‘π‘–π‘“π‘–π‘π‘–π‘Žπ‘™ π‘“π‘œπ‘œπ‘‘π‘π‘Žπ‘‘β„Ž 𝑏𝑒𝑖𝑙𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝐡𝑒𝑛 π‘Šπ‘Žπ‘™π‘’π‘™π‘–π‘Ž π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘π‘œπ‘šπ‘šπ‘’π‘›π‘–π‘‘π‘¦ π‘¦π‘œπ‘’π‘‘β„Ž 𝑖𝑛 π‘‚π‘–π‘π‘œπ‘™π‘Ž πΆπ‘œπ‘šπ‘šπ‘’π‘›π‘–π‘‘π‘¦

In the Oibola community of Ward 30, Langalanga, Malaita Province, young residents are stepping up to address the urgent issue of rising sea levels that threaten their homes. 

πΆβ„Žπ‘–π‘™π‘‘π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘› π‘€π‘Žπ‘™π‘˜π‘–π‘›π‘” π‘‘π‘œπ‘€π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘‘π‘  π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘β„Žπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘β„Ž 𝑏𝑒𝑖𝑙𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 π‘‘π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘–π‘›π‘” β„Žπ‘–π‘”β„Ž 𝑑𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑠.

Ben Walelia, an elder and advocate for environmental conservation, is collaborating with local youth to implement measures aimed at preserving their ancestral land, which is now at risk due to climate change. Having previously worked with organizations like World Fish, Walelia emphasizes the importance of restoring mangrove forests, which have been depleted by surrounding communities for timber and firewood.

𝐡𝑒𝑛 π‘Šπ‘Žπ‘™π‘’π‘™π‘–π‘Ž 𝑖𝑛 π‘Ž π‘”π‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘’π‘ π‘‘π‘–π‘ π‘π‘’π‘ π‘ π‘–π‘œπ‘› π‘€π‘–π‘‘β„Ž β„Žπ‘–π‘  π‘¦π‘œπ‘’π‘‘β„Žπ‘  π‘‘π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘–π‘›π‘” π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘ŒπΈπΆπ΄ π‘‘π‘Ÿπ‘Žπ‘–π‘›π‘–π‘›π‘” π‘™π‘Žπ‘ π‘‘ π‘€π‘’π‘’π‘˜.

β€œWe must first replant the mangroves that have been cut down,” Walelia stated. β€œThen, we need to find corals to create strong foundations for our houses, as the tide levels are now above the areas where we used to build.”

In addition to replanting mangroves, the community also faces the challenge of constructing artificial pathways to homes, as traditional footpaths have been washed away by rising sea levels. Walelia highlighted that finding stones for these pathways and foundations has become increasingly difficult. 


β€œWith the fast-growing population in our community, the stones we used to collect from nearby reefs are now scarce,” he explained. β€œNow, we have to dive deeper to find the materials needed for building new walls and pathways.”

𝐴𝑛 π‘Žπ‘π‘π‘’π‘ π‘  π‘“π‘œπ‘œπ‘‘π‘π‘Žπ‘‘β„Ž π‘‘π‘œ π‘‚π‘–π‘π‘œπ‘™π‘Ž π‘β„Žπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘β„Ž 𝑖𝑛 π‘Žπ‘π‘π‘’π‘ π‘ π‘–π‘π‘™π‘’ π‘‘π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘–π‘›π‘” β„Žπ‘–π‘”β„Ž 𝑑𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑠.

Despite these significant challenges posed by climate change, Mr. Walelia remains optimistic about the future. He stated that the youth are prepared to confront any threats that may arise, motivated by a deep connection to their heritage. β€œThis is where our ancestors lived and died, and we are committed to protecting it for future generations,” he concluded.

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