Tongan Olympic sensation Pita Taufatofua has set his sights on an Olympic-sized challenge — raising awareness about climate change.

Key points: Taufatofua says neighbour Australia must "really start to consider these big issues"

Taufatofua says neighbour Australia must "really start to consider these big issues" Tonga was lashed in February by Tropical Cyclone Gita

Tonga was lashed in February by Tropical Cyclone Gita Taufatofua is setting his eyes on a third Olympic sport

Taufatofua made headlines at the 2016 Rio Olympic games when he marched shirtless for his country in the opening ceremony and then again at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, despite freezing temperatures.

His bid to compete in the Winter Games saw him learn to ski in only three months before qualifying for the cross-country skiing, and the dual Olympian is now using his platform to speak about the impacts of climate change.

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"For me, all of these causes are linked. All of these are one and the same thing. It's about our planet, it's about our humanity, social issues," he told the ABC's Pacific Beat program.

"People have this idea that they should just be one thing. But climate is so important because we all live in this world.

"If I want to continue with sports, I have to make sure there's sporting grounds, and there's still snow for my winter games."

His foray into climate advocacy saw him speak last night at a climate change panel organised by Climates, alongside former president of the Australian Human Rights Commission Gillian Triggs, president of Voices of the Valley Wendy Farmer and Indigenous barrister and academic Professor Mick Dodson.

The group aims to empower people across the region to address climate change.

Impact of Cyclone Gita 'devastating' to Tonga

Sorry, this video has expired Tonga's Parliament was among the buildings destroyed (Photo: Twitter/Lord Fusitu'a)

Taufatofua, a dual Tongan-Australian citizen who was born in Perth but went to school in Tonga, urged Australia to take action.

"Australia is one of our biggest, strongest neighbours," he said.

"But Australia is one of the stronger polluters, and I ask that everyone in Australia really start to consider the big issues.

"Because it's just a matter of time before this stuff comes to our shores. I saw it last week in Noosa, the beaches there are being eroded away, I see it in the Gold Coast as well. It's just a matter of time, but let's act now."

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Tonga was lashed in February by Tropical Cyclone Gita, which flattened the country's parliament and caused extensive damage throughout the country.

"People were throwing figures at me about climate change, and I said, 'All I know is that each year I walk out and I see the seas coming closer,'" Taufatofua said.

"There's more cyclones, and it's going to get worse, and we're such vulnerable little countries economically, and to rebuild after an event like this that's happening every year is just devastating."

Going for 'the magic three'

Taufatofua's first Olympic appearance was representing Tonga in Taekwondo, and he surprised many when he set his sights on the snow.

He had been learning Taekwondo since the age of five, but he started learning to ski before ever seeing the snow, using special rollerblades to train on roads and paths.

He said he now had his sights set on the "magic three" and would be announcing his bid for a new sport "within the next two months".

"What I'm going to present is a sport that's much more aligned with being a Tongan, being a Pacific Islander, it's aligned with the water, with the sea. So wait and see," he told Pacific Beat.

But whatever his next sporting goal is, he said it will not stop him fighting for more action on climate change.

"I've never been a box sitter, I don't have four sides that confine me to what I can or cannot be. And I don't think anyone should," he said.

"An athlete could be an athlete two hours a day, and then have 22 hours a day to think, and to do other things. I think that people can be many things, because we have time, if we use that time wisely."