In August 2012, 43-year-old Papua New Guinean Manuai Matawai set sail from the Manus Islands to raise awareness about the effects of climate change on his home, his life and the world.
Together with nine crew members, Matawai will sail to over a dozen locations including Nauru, Marshall Islands, Truk Islands and Hermit Islands. In total, they aim to cover 10,000 km in two months.
For Matawai, it’s not only about climate change. He also aims to honour traditional sailing knowledge. “The voyage demonstrates how we are connected to ocean and the spirits,” the crew wrote on their website.
Most recently, Matawai and his crew were at Nissan Island. They will resume their journey when the cyclone season finishes. Follow their journey on The Climate Change Voyager blog.
Further reading:
- Climate Challenger Traditional Canoe Voyage Sets Sail to Raise Awareness from Planet Change blog
- Manus Climate kanu i kamap long Solomon Islands on Radio Australia