After 27 days paddling around Viti Levu, Rev. James Bhagwan and Graham Taylor were welcomed back to the National Sailing Centre at Suva Point today (27/09/26) by the Permanent Secretary for Environment and Climate Change, Dr Sivendra Michael, completing their Paddle for Hope journey at the same place where it began.
The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change was proud to partner in this journey, which carried a strong message on ending single-use plastic pollution and protecting Fiji’s rivers, coastlines and ocean.
Along the journey, the paddlers stopped in coastal villages and communities to raise awareness on responsible waste management and protecting the ocean. Ministry staff also joined the journey at various community stops, providing practical awareness on composting, recycling and the proper disposal of waste, including encouraging communities to prevent plastic bottles and other waste from entering drains, rivers and eventually our ocean.
The journey also highlighted the important connection between plastic pollution, our ocean and climate change. Most plastics are produced from fossil-fuel-based feedstocks, with greenhouse gas emissions generated throughout the plastics lifecycle. When plastic waste reaches our ocean, it places further pressure on marine ecosystems already facing the impacts of climate change.
Dr Michael said the message comes at an important time, with Fiji preparing to welcome global leaders and international delegations to Nadi for the Pacific-led Pre-COP31 from 5–8 October.
“This journey carries a powerful message into Pre-COP31. For the Pacific, climate action and ocean protection cannot be separated. What we do on land eventually reaches our rivers and our ocean. Protecting our ocean means changing how we produce, use and dispose of plastics, while tackling the wider climate crisis that threatens our Blue Pacific.”
As the Pacific prepares to bring its collective voice to Pre-COP31 and the road towards COP31, Paddle for Hope is a reminder that our climate, our ocean and our actions are deeply connected.