Generational retreat: locally driven adaption to coastal hazard risk in two Indigenous communities in Fiji

The Paris Agreement and Climate Justice: Inequitable Impacts of Sea Level Rise Associated With Temperature Targets

“…Kiribati is the only country with a plan for international migration, as they have purchased land in Fiji (Corendea, 2016; Thomas & Benjamin, 2018c). In interviews, residents of villages in Fiji and Tuvalu note that people already view SLR as impacting their lives and expect that trend to continue (Martin et al., 2018; McMichael et al., 2021; Piggot‐McKeller et al., 2021). Incremental retreat, which has already occurred in some villages in Fiji, where new construction must take place on higher ground, can be a way for people to maintain their place‐based grounding to an extent (Piggot‐McKeller et al., 2021).…”

“…Incremental retreat, which has already occurred in some villages in Fiji, where new construction must take place on higher ground, can be a way for people to maintain their place‐based grounding to an extent (Piggot‐McKeller et al., 2021). However preferences around relocation and adaptation responses vary between individuals and can be characterized by generational differences; short distance relocation is not the preference of all community members (Martin et al., 2018; McMichael et al., 2021; Piggot‐McKeller et al., 2021). Binary and linear discourses on remaining or leaving is in contrast to lived experiences of island residents (McMichael et al., 2021).…”

“…In interviews, residents of villages in Fiji and Tuvalu note that people already view SLR as impacting their lives and expect that trend to continue (Martin et al., 2018; McMichael et al., 2021; Piggot‐McKeller et al., 2021). Incremental retreat, which has already occurred in some villages in Fiji, where new construction must take place on higher ground, can be a way for people to maintain their place‐based grounding to an extent (Piggot‐McKeller et al., 2021). However preferences around relocation and adaptation responses vary between individuals and can be characterized by generational differences; short distance relocation is not the preference of all community members (Martin et al., 2018; McMichael et al., 2021; Piggot‐McKeller et al., 2021).…”

Towards Transformative Climate Relocation Initiatives

“…Assisting households to move and community relocation are distinct but interrelated processes. Communities are heterogenous, and some people prefer to live their lives out in a high-risk area, even as they plan for generational retreat or experience increasing environmental stress (Edwards 2013; Nelson et al 2022; Piggott-McKellar, McMichael and Powell 2021). Those who relocate may move to relocation sites, if offered, while others may move to places where they have kin or employment and livelihood prospects.…”

“…Lei et al (2017) found that residents who stayed in communities targeted in the Massive Southern Shaanxi Migration Program had decreasing social support as community members moved. In other cases, however, facilitating mobility can increase a community's resources as family members migrate permanently or seasonally for work, or plan for generational moves, while retaining connections and attachments to their home territories (Piggott-McKellar, McMichael and Powell 2021; Zickgraf 2019).…”