No need to exploit to exhaustion natural resources









The economic downturn being felt by Pacific islands nations as ripple on effects of the global financial meltdown is no reason to exploit to exhaustion the remaining natural resources of the islands, a regional conference on the environment has concluded.
On the contrary, delegates at the recent Pacific Islands Roundtable for Nature Conservation in the Solomon Islands last month believe depressed economic conditions should give added impetus for islands nations to invest and conserve their ‘bank’ of biodiversity.
“The common threads between climate change crisis and the financial crisis is unsustainable economic growth and human activities,” said the chair of the roundtable Taholo Kami.
“To drive this quest for growth, we have “overdrawn” on nature’s ability to compensate and recuperate.
“In the Pacific, more than in developed nations—nature or the environment is the source of our ‘bread and butter.’
“Our exports, primary industries, manufacturing, tourism, food supply, clean air and water are products of our environment. 
“For most countries in the Pacific, a healthy environment provides more than just resilience to climate change but also some resilience to the financial crisis.
“Our message to Pacific countries is “get growth right,” bank on biodiversity, ensure a healthy ecosystem remains an integral part of our sustainable development plans.”
Kami is the regional director of the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Oceania office located in Suva.
IUCN together with the University of the South Pacific, Secretariat for the Pacific Regional Environment Programme, World Wildlife Fund, Conservation International, Pacific Islands Applied Geoscience Commission, Locally Managed Marine Areas, The Nature Conservancy, Wildlife Conservation Society, RARE Conservation, BirdLife International Pacific and the Foundation of the Peoples of the South Pacific International are members of the roundtable. It was formed in 1997 with the aim to collaborate and coordinate conservation initiatives and activities.
The roundtable also coordinates the implementation of the Action Strategy for Nature Conservation and Protected Areas in the Pacific Islands region by islands governments and environmental organisations. The purpose of the document is to provide focus and strategy for a concerted conservation action in the region.
In opening the roundtable in Honiara, Solomon Islands’ Environment Minister, Gordon Darcy Lilo took the opportunity to launch his government’s national biodiversity strategic plan 2009.
“We are known for our unique biodiversity. We have some animal species on East Rennell that are not found elsewhere in the world. We are second only to Raja Ampat in Indonesia when it comes to marine biodiversity.”
In line with this, the roundtable outcome statement said the “Pacific islands’ biodiversity is our most significant capital fund”.
“It represents a living bank account which if managed well, will continue to grow and pay dividends in products and services that are critical for the survival of our island lifestyle, communities and nations.
“If this bank account is managed unwisely, our islands will be committing themselves to bio-bankruptcy and our people will suffer dire consequences to their health and livelihoods and our way of life.
“This issue has become increasingly clear in light of the current world economic crisis where nations, companies and communities mismanage and squander their capital.
“Amid the global economic turmoil, our living island bank account is also increasingly under threat from natural disasters, climate change, habitat destruction, pollution, over-harvesting and invasive species.
“Because small islands are particularly vulnerable to species loss and extinctions, the time is critical to find creative solutions through innovative programmes, funding and stronger partnerships.”
Asked to define “creative solutions” Taholo said these are found at both micro and macro levels. LMMA or Locally Managed Marine Areas are classic examples of how local communities are engaged to promote sustainable harvesting of marine resources.
“There is still room to improve across the board but the lessons are there and we can build on it with confidence in engaging our communities effectively.
“The Coral Triangle Initiative and Micronesia Challenge have demonstrated that political commitment and “big thinking” can upscale activities and bring new commitments that we hope will build real capacity at a national level and make a difference. 
“The emerging Pacific Ocean 2020 Challenge takes this further by raising the need for an ocean-wide initiative. Finally, there is a need for coordination at all levels.
“How do we work smarter in-country between all stakeholders?
“We hope the roundtable process of creating national stakeholder roadmaps for implementation of environmental initiatives and activities will help us to work better and deliver more effectively.”
The roundtable outcome statement also called for programmes that promote and support local and national ownership.
Leadership of sustainable development and conservation initiatives should also be encouraged and programmes that apply the best modern and traditional science be supported In this regard, the Pacific Islands Roundtable for Nature Conservation adopted 10 principles which it hopes would protect our “rich island lifestyles” through investment and banking on our biodiversity.
The Solomon Islands government’s bold decision to reduce log exports to a more sustainable level was raised as a positive example when viewed against the principle of recognising that the “foundation of national planning and growth strategies is based upon ensuring continued availability of natural resources and environmental services.”
Said Taholo: “I think “sustainability” is back again with national planning, and what we are seeing in the Solomon Islands is exciting. They have leadership in place and a growing environment ministry. 
“Our concern at the roundtable in Solomon Islands was to ensure that partners would support the government in developing appropriate policies and engage in effective implementation.
“Time will tell where the best lessons can be emulated but we are definitely excited about where Solomon Islands is heading with its environment policies.”
The long-time environmental advocate also does not buy into the argument that developing states like those in the Pacific should be allowed a free rein when it comes to exploiting their biodiversity.
The Tongan national is adamant that conservation is both for developed as well as developing nations.
“It doesn’t make sense pointing fingers on a sinking ship—we all have a role to try and save it. For the Pacific Islands—sustainable use of our resources makes sense.
“It’s often all we have to drive an export industry, grow tourism or simply sustaining the livelihoods of our own people.”