Commonwealth Clean Oceans Alliance Special representative, Stephen Harris [right]

Climate change can be a difficult issue for many people to understand and act upon.

It requires a lot of sacrifices for the benefit of an uncertain future.

Commonwealth Clean Oceans Alliance Special representative, Stephen Harris says people tend to focus more on the present but it’s important to be clear on the consequences of this global challenge.

Harris says Fiji has taken numerous steps in the fight against climate change both locally and internationally.

“Fijians, for example, has undertaken to accept climate change refugees from Tuvalu and Kiribati. Fiji has acknowledged how big this challenge is for some of its neighbors. I think the only thing one could do with the skeptics of climate change is kept putting the information in front of people.”

Harris adds it’s important that people are provided with factual information on the impacts of climate change.

“If they want to read and analyze that information in an honest way then my view is that people will reach a similar conclusion and even if those people were to be right – the actions that are being taken in pursuit of resolving climate change will improve the health of the planet.”

He says it’s crucial that Fijians are aware that climate change regulates food production, water resources, influences energy use, disease transmission, and other aspects of human health and well-being.