During our first week in the Solomons, we visited a remote community in a place called Marau.
The contribution of emissions from deforestation was a particular focus, since it is a major source of emissions in the Solomon Islands.
We were invited to give a brief presentation for the village on climate change, and performed a short theatre piece outlining the causes and impacts of climate change.
After the presentation, James, a young teacher from the village, spoke out angrily. “You tell us that logging causes these problems, but what alternatives do we have? We have no other alternatives, to earn money for school fees for our children, for food, for anything. Tell us what we can do, tell us REAL options! Our villages are already sinking!”.
He was completely right, and I could only reply with weak statements about our hopes for an international agreement that included incentives for reducing deforestation in developing countries.
My work here in the Solomon Islands is with the Ministry of Environment, assisting their particpation at the United Nations negotiations on climate change. Lately, we’ve been particularly focusing on forestry policy.
The Solomon Islands has a deep dilema with forestry. The natural forests in the Solomon Islands are a home to many tropical hardwoods desired around the world, which drives a great deal of logging. It is the main source of economic income for the country (about 50% of total exports). Since the country relies upon this source of income, logging is proceeding at many times the sustainable rate, and it has been estimated that by 2015 all the natural forests worth logging may be gone. There have been attempts to slow the rate of deforestation, but a lack of capacity often means that forests are logged illegally before forces to prevent it can be mobilized.
The forests are home to many unique species found only in the Solomon Islands, and are also a vital source of food, fresh water and other products essential for the livelihoods of the local communities and villagers. Local communities that sign agreements with logging companies are often not made aware of the negative impacts of deforestation, and do not realise the full implications until far too late. There are a great many horrific stories.
Globally, 20% of greenhouse emissions are due to deforestation in developing countries. This makes it an essential area to tackle in international climate change negotiations, despite the many challenges. A scheme called “REDD” (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation in Developing Countries) has been proposed, and the details are being hotly contended right now.
Today, myself and representatives from the Climate Change Division will be meeting with representatives from other Ministries and organisations working in forests and conservation in the Solomons, to discuss the various proposed details for the REDD scheme, and hopefully bring about their active participation in the negotiations. It is my hope that climate change can provide the catalyst for reducing deforestation in this country to a sustainable level, and empower the indigenous peoples who rely upon the natural forests for their survival.
James, his community, and many others like his, depend upon it.
