Seeing the impact of climate change on Tuvalu’s reefs inspired a change for conservationist Temukisa Siale

Photo retrieved from abc.net.au

Working as an accountant in a bank on the Pacific island of Tuvalu, Temukisa Siale never imagined she’d get involved in reef conservation.

But three years ago, she joined a small group of young volunteers who undertake coral restoration on two of the country’s main islands.

She said she was inspired after seeing the devastating impact climate change had on coral reefs around her home.

“We’ve seen that fish have been depleted throughout the years,” she said.

“The impact of climate change, it is real. For small islands, like us, we are facing a climate change and it has an impact on the way we live.”

Ms Siale is one of about 30 Tuvaluans under the age of 45 who volunteer with the organisation Fuligafou, which means “new transformation”.

“We have some medical students, we have accountants – we’re just a diverse background of passionate youth coming together,” she said.

But Ms Siale said it was tough work on a shoestring budget.

“If there’s any other help out there for coral restoration for NGOs, local, or national NGOs like us, it’d be very great to reach out.”

Across the Pacific, conservationists are calling for more funding to protect coral reefs as a looming El Nino threatens to cause mass bleaching events.

Australia’s Great Barrier Reef this week escaped an “in danger” listing after the government pledged a record $1 billion in funding to protect the World Heritage site until 2030.