In the Wake of Cyclone Winston, 350.org Pacific Stands with Fiji and Urges Global Climate Action

Less than a week after Fiji became the first nation to ratify the Paris agreement, Tropical Cyclone Winston became the strongest tropical cyclone ever recorded in the Southern Hemisphere, wreaking havoc in Tonga and growing into an unpredictable and severe Category 5 system, leaving a trail of destruction across Fiji.

As many Fijians are still reeling from the aftermath of severe Tropical Cyclone Winston, efforts are already underway to rebuild Fiji.

"The relationship between climate change and more severe tropical storms is well understood, and extreme weather events like Cyclone Winston are a timely reminder as to what is on the line," pointed out Koreti Tiumalu, 350.org Pacific Region Coordinator.

"Every year, people in the Pacific Islands are finding ourselves at the forefront of climate impacts. As the world continues to experience the escalation in the force of natural disasters, it's imperative now more than ever, that all countries also escalate their efforts to keep climate changing fossil fuels in the ground in order to change the outlook of those who have done the least to create climate change but are experiencing firsthand its worst impacts," Timalu added.

The 350.org Fiji team of volunteers are collaborating with the Fiji Council of Social Services and the Fiji Red Cross Society who are leading community rebuilding efforts.

350.org set up a live blog to provide people in the affected areas a means to share updates and communicate on what the frontline communities are facing and help with rebuilding efforts underway.