The 2024 Youth Convention of the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa (E.F.K.S.) initiated a program aimed at strengthening the skills of its young people on climate change issues.
It is observed these days that very few young people are interested in discussing this environmental issue. However, the sad reality is that if severe impacts arise due to climate change, no one will be exempt; everyone will be affected.
In our interview with the Director of Christian Education of the Church, Maleifua Tanielu, he stated,
“Who is responsible for preparing for tomorrow? It is the youth. Therefore, church and community leaders must take the lead in instilling this message in the minds of our children so they can protect our environment and save thousands of lives in the future.”
The event, held at the Maota o Tupulaga in Sogi last week, was attended by representatives from various urban youth groups.
Presentations from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment detailed the origins of climate change, its severe impacts, and, most importantly, the ways young people can help address this issue.
In Samoa itself, the condition of its lands, resources, wealth, heritage, jobs, and daily life has become very fragile due to actions that have increased temperatures and led to other disasters.
Tala na tusia i le gagana Samoa
E lē fa’ailoga tagata aafiaga o suiga ogaoga o le tau
O le Fono Usu a le Ekalesia Fa’apotopotoga Kerisiano Sāmoa (E.F.K.S) 2024 na fa’amaite ai le polokalame e fa’amausalī ai tomai o ona tupulga talavou, i matāupu tau suiga o le tau.
E maitauina i nei aso, to’aiti lava fānau talavou e fiafia e talanoa i lenei fa’afitauli ua iai le si’osi’omaga fa’alenātura, ae o le fa’anoanoaga, afai ae tula’i mai a’afiaga ogaoga ona ua sui le tau o le lalolagi, e le fa’ailogaina se tasi, e a’afia tagata uma.
I le tatou fa’atalanoaga ma le Fa’atonu o Aoga Kerisiano a le Ekalesia ia Maleifua Tanielu, na ia saunoa,
“O ai e fa’amoemoe iai le tāpenaina o taeao? o tupulaga. O lea la, e ao ai ona taulamua ta’ita’i o Ekalesia ma le atunu’u ina ia fa’aofi atu le feau i māfaufau o fānau nei, ina ia mafai ona puipuia e i latou lava lo tatou si’osi’omaga, e fa’asaoina ai soifua e faitau afe a taeao.”
O le fa’amoemoe na faia i le Maota o Tupulaga i Sogi i le vaiaso talu ai, na auai ai sui mai autalavou eseese tu taulaga.
Na auiliili ai i folasaga a le Matāgaluega o Punaoa Fa’alenatura ma Si’osi’omaga afuaga o suiga o le tau, o ona a’afiaga maoa’e, ae sili o auala e faia e tupulaga e fesoasoani ai i le foia o le nei fa’afitauli.
I Samoa lava ia ua matuai ma’ale’ale le tulaga o ona laueleele, o alagaoa, tamaoaiga, measina, galuega ma le soifuaga i aso uma ona o fa’atinoga ua siitia ai le vevela ma tutupu mai ai isi fa’alavelave.