Recent findings from the Fiji Meteorological Service highlight ongoing climate challenges faced by the island nation. According to its 2024 Annual Climate Summary, ocean temperatures around Fiji showed consistent warming, with sea surface temperatures (SSTs) fluctuating between +0.5°C and +1.5°C compared to the norm. This increase was significantly influenced by the El Niño–Southern Oscillation in the tropical Pacific Ocean.
Notably, the western waters near Viti Levu experienced the highest anomalies, with annual mean SSTs ranging from 26°C to 29°C across Fiji’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). A particular region northeast of Fiji reported its highest mean annual SST since records began in 1982, reflecting a troubling upward trend in ocean temperatures over the decades.
The report also underscores a worrisome rise in sea levels in Fiji, predominantly exceeding worldwide averages. Satellite data indicates a sea level increase of 4–5mm annually near Fiji, surpassing the global average of 3.2mm per year. Measurement by the tide gauge station at Lautoka Wharf, a part of the Pacific Sea Level and Geodetic Monitoring Project, confirms this trend, documenting a rise of 4.1mm each year from 1993 to 2024.
As documented in previous reports from both 2023 and other studies, Fiji’s rising sea levels and temperatures present significant risks to its coastal communities and ecosystems. These environmental changes underline the urgent necessity for enhanced climate action and resilience strategies. Various monitoring stations, such as those at Lautoka and Suva Wharfs, continue to provide critical data that inform environmental planning and mitigation strategies.
Efforts to combat these changes offer an opportunity for innovation in sustainable practices and can significantly impact the resilience of vulnerable communities. As Fiji and other Pacific Island nations contend with these climatic shifts, proactive adaptation strategies and international collaboration are key to preserving ecological and human well-being in the region. The continued focus on monitoring and managing the impacts of climate change signals hope for more sustainable futures for coastal regions worldwide.