Are culture, customs and traditions among the primary victims of climate change?
These were my thoughts, as a Fiji Islander, after observing non verbal communication from our leaders in Bonn.
Mind the head, hands and feet.
In traditional Fijian custom, we do not touch people on the head, it is a clear sign of disrespect, and we never place the whole hand in a claw-like fashion over the complete skull of another person.
Also, it is customary, for the "Ratu" or chief, to hold his head higher or grow his hair larger than everyone else.
As a sign of respect we remove headwear (hats and glasses) when entering a village or home, bow our heads a little lower than that of the Ratu or more senior members, or in a ceremonial setting, the chief guest.
Also, as a sign of respect for its occupants, we bow our head, and remove our shoes before entering a home or sitting down on a mat to enter discussions, or as we call it "Talanoa".
These comments about perceived, interpreted, non verbal communique may not be important when discussing solutions for human induced climate change,
But maybe these are the things that caused this dilemma in the first place, loss of respect for all of nature and its inhabitants, a loss of traditional values, culture and oneness with the world around us, replaced by control mechanisms for an unsustainable system of supply, demand and profit motive.. at all costs.
Maybe.