Powering Up The Pacific

In layman's term, climate change is caused by the rising concentration of greenhouse gases (GHG) in the atmosphere. This is largely caused by the combustion of fossil fuels. The results are rising sea levels and extreme weather events that are now being widely felt across the region.

When this scenario was first publicised, the spectre of islands drowning in the ocean and communities being dispossessed of their disappearing lands, was met initially with some cynicism particularly in developed countries with vested interests in retaining the status quo. Some scientists and experts in the field also raised doubts over the quality of the empirical research on climate change at the time, and argued that it was largely based on fallacy.

But backed by an avalanche of evidence from the international scientific community, there is now a general agreement that these indicators are both real and ominous. The truth is that our biodiversity and lifestyles are in danger of being destroyed. This in part explains the growing anxiety felt by some Pacific islanders about where they will be living in 50 years from now. Moreover, if there will even be a "where to live" on.

Such are the implications for the planet that responses to the climate change debate have taken on a momentum of their own. While some moves are in place such as the Kyoto Protocol to counter all this, they are yet to be enforced, and the impact will be negligible because of lack of international political will. One option is to work on the causes of climate change and try and reduce the long-term growth of GHG emissions. Another is to work on the effects and find avenues to reduce the impact of what is already happening around us. These mitigation and adaptation methods can offer practical solutions for the future.

Here at SPREP, we've established the Pacific Islands Renewable Energy Programme (PIREP) to try and bring this concept of combating greenhouse gases along further. Backed by the Global Environment Facility, 14 Pacific countries are participating in a research on how renewable energy can be used by them at home. At the moment, the groundwork is being put in place with coordinating committees set up to look at the barriers to implementation and in the long-term commercialisation of renewable energy.
Our tropical climate offers excellent solar potential throughout most of the region. Technological advancement in recent years has made wind power a viable option in certain locations. In the mountainous islands, hydropower generation is an influential source of electricity. Biomass from agriculture can substitute for fossil fuel.

The proximity of other small islands to the ring of volcanoes called the Pacific Rim of Fire gives the basic resource to produce geothermal power. Of course, on our doorstep is the Pacific Ocean that could, if utilised, offer unlimited opportunities for wave, tidal and other ocean-based energy sources. Waste-to-energy or biogas systems would not only contribute to increased energy independence but also help to address pollution and public health concerns, as well as providing a source of organic fertiliser. Geothermal resources remain untapped, as do the vast energy resources of the tropical ocean.

The sad irony is that despite a raft of renewable energy possibilities, less than 30 percent of the region's people have access to electricity.

The international community recognises the central role that renewable energy can play in the pursuit of the Millennium Development Goals. So should we. Renewable energy can help alleviate poverty by supporting income-generating activities in rural and remote areas, providing clean water, supporting health and education services, as well as better telecommunications and transportation.

SPREP is committed to backing national and regional initiatives to mitigate climate change as far as we possibly can. On the one hand, it will help stabilise the GHG concentration in the atmosphere. On the other, it will assist the sustainable development of our member countries and partners.

One final point needs to be made. While I wish to acknowledge the technical and fiscal assistance from Global Environment Facility and the United Nations Development Programme, it is in our people's own best interests to take the lead in reducing GHG emissions. To be given respect internationally, the SPREP members cannot afford to wait for donor assistance to descend on us. Rather, we should, as far as practicable, take the initiative.

Next month at SPREP, our PIREP team is holding a regional meeting to look at findings from the assessment studies and to kick-start the task of removing any barriers. May all the participants commit themselves fully to seek out paths that will rapidly progress renewable energy technologies to power up the region in a cleaner way!

STOP PRESS: In my May column, on the Stockholm Challenge in Sweden, SPREP was nominated as one of the finalists for the Stockholm Challenge award.

I am very pleased to say that SPREP won the award in the environment category for the Pacific Environmental Information Network, which is helping strengthen the capacity for environmental protection and to promote awareness of environmental issues in the Pacific islands countries.

€ Asterio Takesy is the Director of the South Pacific Regional Environmental Programme.