Climate Change Impact: A Story from Fiji to Northern Ireland

Sireli McGoon, a resident of Bangor, Northern Ireland for 30 years and a local rugby club stalwart, has been forced to abandon his retirement plans in his native coastal village of Togoru, Fiji, due to the impacts of climate change. The rising sea levels have caused significant coastal erosion, rendering the village uninhabitable and unable to sustain agriculture. Despite efforts, including constructing tyre walls along the beach, the village continues to succumb to the ocean’s might.
The story of McGoon’s village is a poignant example of how climate change is causing irreversible damage to communities worldwide. In Northern Ireland, climate change has also manifested through increased rainfall intensity, leading to more frequent and severe flooding. According to Donal Mullan, a climatologist at Queen’s University Belfast, the region has become wetter by approximately 60mm per year over the last 30 years, a 6% increase. This has exacerbated flooding issues, prompting the need for potentially expensive engineering solutions to protect vulnerable areas.
The Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland acknowledges the rising threat of flooding, with one in 33 properties at risk. Efforts are underway to develop new flood defences, especially along the Newry River, and to identify feasible solutions for Downpatrick. However, the department also recognizes that not all flooding can be prevented.
Sireli McGoon’s story is a stark reminder of the immediate and personal impacts of climate change, underscoring the urgency of addressing this global crisis. His message to Northern Ireland, his adopted home, is one of resilience and a call to action to mitigate the effects of climate change and protect vulnerable communities around the world.