On board were ten crew members who have sailed 2000 kilometres from Manus in Papua New Guinea through to Choiseul, Isabel and then to Honiara.
Team leader Manuai Matawai expressed their joy to arrive safely in Honiara where they will be performing some cultural dances, awareness talks on climate change and undergoing practical resilience activities on climate change like they did during their stopovers at communities in Choiseul and Isabel provinces.
“We are very glad to be here in the Solomons and spread the message about the reality of the effects of climate change and share the knowledge and skills we have learnt across our voyage to communities throughout the pacific,” Matawai said.
Adding the objectives of their voyage is to share lessons learnt about the impacts of climate change and measures taken and then share it with communities and people they have visited and back home in Manus.
The team leader adds that they also would like to expose their young sailors to a much longer voyage. And share cultures and conservation measures on climate change.
Mr Matawai said the important message they want to share was to let the world know that despite being the less contributors of green house gas, yet we are the worst affected.
“This voyage is to tell developed nations and the world that they must take urgent actions to cut and stop green house gas emissions and act responsibly for their actions.
“Climate change is real and is at our doorstep. Therefore we do not have to rely on the government and NGOs for their help but we as communities must stand up and act for ourselves to adapt to the challenges we are facing today,” Matawai stressed.
The group will be here for a couple of days before heading off to Nauru, Kiribati and then to Marshall Islands.
By Daniel Namosuaia
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