Students of the Fiji National University Lautoka Cam­pus did their bit on Tues­day for World Environment Day by holding a fashion show on the innovative uses of plastics.

With this year’s theme being “Beat Plastic Pollution”, the FNU auditorium came alive as students showed off attire made from plastic bags as a way to ob­serve the universal event.

It also involves rejecting single use plastics.

Students were also told that the theme was a call to action for everyone to join hands to help combat one of the world’s great­est environmental problems.

“Nature’s gifts are rare and cannot be purchased. It is im­portant that each one of us re­alise this before it’s too late,” said Rupeni Mario, Specialist in Climate Change Mitigation at the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Pro­gramme (SPREP), during the celebration.

Mr Mario said over the years human activities caused mas­sive pollution and degradation that harshly affected our deli­cate ecosystem.

“The damage has become so severe, that the whole world has come together to stop any fur­ther damage because our contin­ued survival is at risk,” he said.

Fiji is proud to be the President of COP23 that leads the fight against climate change and en­sures that the voices of vulner­able island nations are heard on the global stage.

“Life can be very simple and fulfilling if we follow certain principles; these simple formu­las cost no money and involve no hassles yet prove to be very effective,” he said.

The World Environment Day is celebrated internationally, in­cluding in the Pacific and Fiji on June 5, to promote nature and its significance since 1973.

Fiji National University student Asinate Lewaqaqa during the World Environment Day celebration at the FNU Natabua campus in Lautoka yesterday. Photo: SANJAY GOUNDER

Edited by Epineri Vula

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