19 Faith and a Sustainable Pacific
383
in detail, ecological and sustainability threats in the Pacific include a range of interrelated issues such as rising sea levels, the increasing seriousness of natural disasters
such as cyclonic activity, issues around waste, impacts on fishing and agriculture, as
well as cultural matters (Leal Filho et al. 2020). There may be other consequences
such as forced migration (Luetz and Havea 2018). One thing that makes it hard for
the peoples of the Pacific is that many of the problems originate in other parts of the
world.
The phenomenon of global warming and rising sea levels is well documented; but
it is significant that, as Becker et al. have observed, “The western tropical Pacific is
considered as one of the most vulnerable regions of the world under present-day and
future global warming” (2012, p. 85). Consequently, the research has demonstrated
that “Towards the end of the twentieth century, the rate of global sea-level rise
accelerated and in Micronesia reached its fastest rate for some 7000-8000 years”
(Nunn et al. 2016b, p. 968). They note further that if projections prove correct, “It
is probable that lower islands in Micronesia will be rendered uninhabitable in 2030 years time and their inhabitants will need to relocate”. Within that context, Becker
et al. note that in the case of Funafuti Island (Tuvalu) “the total rate of rise is found to
be about 3 times larger than the global mean sea level rise over 1950-2009” (Becker
et al. 2012, p. 85). The IPCC also has a dire prediction if greenhouse gas emissions
remain high.
In such a context, climate change and rising sea levels cease to be a future theoretical threat, but a current existential reality that impacts on every aspect of life. Visible
inundation leads to images of children wading through the water that has invaded
their home. Salt water intrudes into drinking water supplies; it leads to soil salinity
and the destruction of essential built infrastructure such as roads or energy systems.
As the population increases, and land becomes scarce, the problem is exacerbated by
an increasing inability for the soil to grow food crops. Act for Peace (2020), an arm
of the NCCA, identifies Vanuatu as “the most disaster-prone country on earth”, and
that “every year they face the threat of cyclones, earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic
eruptions”. Climate Change certainly exacerbates disasters both in the Pacific as in
other parts of the world.
A sustainable Pacific must take note of the issue of waste, and that from several
points of view. In a personal communication, and based on his experience in the
Pacific, Morrison notes that
a Pacific nation such as Tonga has recognised the problem caused by waste and for several
years now has had a Waste Management programme in effect. There are public waste bins
along some main roads and a regular pick-up of domestic waste. Tonga has also had for
some years a relatively small solar farm operating, but in more recent times has had a much
larger solar farm operating in order to lower its dependence on the diesel powered generators
which had previously generated the power for the island of Tongatapu.
It is heartening that serious thought and action is being taken in Tonga, as in other
parts of the Pacific; but that is only a part of the story.
A major aspect of the problem is the amount of waste in the ocean, especially
plastic which originates in many parts of the world, and which is circulated around
the globe in a series of gyres. A critical aspect of this issue is that plastic ultimately
383
in detail, ecological and sustainability threats in the Pacific include a range of interrelated issues such as rising sea levels, the increasing seriousness of natural disasters
such as cyclonic activity, issues around waste, impacts on fishing and agriculture, as
well as cultural matters (Leal Filho et al. 2020). There may be other consequences
such as forced migration (Luetz and Havea 2018). One thing that makes it hard for
the peoples of the Pacific is that many of the problems originate in other parts of the
world.
The phenomenon of global warming and rising sea levels is well documented; but
it is significant that, as Becker et al. have observed, “The western tropical Pacific is
considered as one of the most vulnerable regions of the world under present-day and
future global warming” (2012, p. 85). Consequently, the research has demonstrated
that “Towards the end of the twentieth century, the rate of global sea-level rise
accelerated and in Micronesia reached its fastest rate for some 7000-8000 years”
(Nunn et al. 2016b, p. 968). They note further that if projections prove correct, “It
is probable that lower islands in Micronesia will be rendered uninhabitable in 2030 years time and their inhabitants will need to relocate”. Within that context, Becker
et al. note that in the case of Funafuti Island (Tuvalu) “the total rate of rise is found to
be about 3 times larger than the global mean sea level rise over 1950-2009” (Becker
et al. 2012, p. 85). The IPCC also has a dire prediction if greenhouse gas emissions
remain high.
In such a context, climate change and rising sea levels cease to be a future theoretical threat, but a current existential reality that impacts on every aspect of life. Visible
inundation leads to images of children wading through the water that has invaded
their home. Salt water intrudes into drinking water supplies; it leads to soil salinity
and the destruction of essential built infrastructure such as roads or energy systems.
As the population increases, and land becomes scarce, the problem is exacerbated by
an increasing inability for the soil to grow food crops. Act for Peace (2020), an arm
of the NCCA, identifies Vanuatu as “the most disaster-prone country on earth”, and
that “every year they face the threat of cyclones, earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic
eruptions”. Climate Change certainly exacerbates disasters both in the Pacific as in
other parts of the world.
A sustainable Pacific must take note of the issue of waste, and that from several
points of view. In a personal communication, and based on his experience in the
Pacific, Morrison notes that
a Pacific nation such as Tonga has recognised the problem caused by waste and for several
years now has had a Waste Management programme in effect. There are public waste bins
along some main roads and a regular pick-up of domestic waste. Tonga has also had for
some years a relatively small solar farm operating, but in more recent times has had a much
larger solar farm operating in order to lower its dependence on the diesel powered generators
which had previously generated the power for the island of Tongatapu.
It is heartening that serious thought and action is being taken in Tonga, as in other
parts of the Pacific; but that is only a part of the story.
A major aspect of the problem is the amount of waste in the ocean, especially
plastic which originates in many parts of the world, and which is circulated around
the globe in a series of gyres. A critical aspect of this issue is that plastic ultimately