Te buibui

Te buibui aim to combat sea level rise and to protect the shoreline. Oceanic island nations are among the most affected by sea level rise, so methods like te buibui, that use local knowledge and materials, allow communities to participate in solutions.
The use of local materials does not damage local ecosystems and species, who are already at risk from changing climates and environments. Te buibui do not alter the shape and natural movement of the shoreline like a hard seawall does.

Finding solutions to climate change that local communities can actively engage with, understand and participate in, is key to climate change adaptation. There are increasing arguments for community-based adaptation methods – bottom up, rather than top down methods. If a community understands the method and has actively participated in its creation, they are more likely and able to maintain it. (Donner, S. D., & Webber, S. (2014). 

Climate change adaptation has to consider wellbeing models of the specific community it is dealing with. In many Oceanic nations wellbeing of people and nature is intrinsically linked and the shoreline is sacred. It should be noted that all communities, cultures and countries are different, but in general, nature based solutions are more likely to be accepted than modern, built solutions. 

Te buibui are a natural alternative to a sea wall. Using natural materials is better for the ocean and the shoreline. Sea walls can increase the rate of erosion in front of the sea wall, and “when all sediment has been removed from the front of the wall, down drift areas will no longer receive sediment and erosion may be accelerated” (C-CAP, 2015). 
Seawalls can interfere with natural processes like habitat migration, and can weaken soil or sand around them. Alternatively, te buibui can be constantly maintained, altered and adjusted as needed.