island conservation, coral, Micronesia Challenge, Caribbean Challenge, Coral Triangle

 

island conservation, coral, Micronesia Challenge, Caribbean Challenge, Coral Triangle

Patrick Naehu is senior policy advisor for islands with The Nature Conservancy and a native islander himself (Hawai'i) based in Arlington. Previous to his current position, Patrick served as director of conservation for Central and Southern Maryland, senior program officer for World Wildlife Fund, senior mediator for the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, and as project director for the Environmentors Project.

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"While some may be skeptical of ambitious, long-term goals set by leaders in short-term offices, these commitments have rejuvenated marine conservation at a global level."

—Pat Naehu, senior policy advisor for The Nature Conservancy

Go Deeper

Global Coral Conservation
See a map and slideshow of where the Conservancy works worldwide to protect critical coral reefs.

Small Country, Big Leadership
Find out how Palau is leading the world in coral reef and island conservation efforts under the leadership of President Tommy Remengesau, Jr.

The Caribbean Challenge
The Conservancy has pledged $20 million to support The Caribbean Challenge, an unprecedented commitment by Caribbean governments to support and manage new and existing national parks and protected areas throughout the region.

Micronesia Challenge
Find out more about the amazing commitment made by five Micronesian governments to protect their natural resources for future generations.

Coral Triangle
The Coral Triangle sustains the lives of over 120 people and benefits millions more worldwide. Find out why this region is globally important.

island conservation, coral, Micronesia Challenge, Caribbean Challenge, Coral Triangle

By Pat Naehu

Hawai'i, the Caribbean, remote paradises across the Pacific — when you think of islands, does your mind conjure up images of international politics and global leadership? Probably not. More likely, you imagine isolated, beautiful escapes from the rest of the world.

But island leaders are showing how their governments, when joined together in a common cause, can have global conservation impacts.

In recent years, island leaders in Micronesia, the Caribbean and Indonesia have committed to an unprecedented scale of marine conservation, motivated to preserve the ecosystems that support their livelihoods and to fend off the impacts of climate change.

Islands: Unique, and Uniquely Suited to Change the World

The cultural and natural diversity found on islands is often found nowhere else on Earth.

But unfortunately, the very qualities that make islands unique — a delicate balance between plants and animals worked out over long periods of time and in isolation — also make them extremely susceptible to global challenges like climate change and invasive species.

Recognizing these threats — and the vital role that nature plays in supporting island people and economies — island leaders in Micronesia, the Caribbean and Indonesia are taking action:

  • In 2006, five Micronesian governments launched the Micronesia Challenge — a commitment to effectively conserve at least 30 percent of their near-shore marine resources and 20 percent of terrestrial resources by 2020. At 1.655 billion acres, the region encompassed by the Micronesia Challenge is bigger than the continental United States and represents more than 5 percent of the entire Pacific Ocean.
  • Inspired by the Micronesia Challenge, the leaders of six Caribbean nations have made similar commitments to support and manage new and existing national parks and protected areas with the overall goal of conserving at least 20 percent of their marine and coastal habitats by 2020. This will drive the conservation of at least 7.42 million acres of biologically important marine habitat and resources in the region.
  • Led by Indonesia, the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security brings together six governments in a new multilateral partnership to safeguard the rich marine resources in the region, sometimes referred to as the "Amazon of the Seas." In the next 10 years, the initiative will establish or strengthen marine protected areas and implement an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries that together will extend protection over 15 percent of the Coral Triangle, some 62.4 million acres.

Governments Can Work Together to Achieve Conservation

While some may be skeptical of ambitious, long-term goals set by leaders in short-term offices, these commitments have rejuvenated marine conservation at a global level.

They have drawn attention and support from organizations like The Nature Conservancy, the Global Island Partnership, the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) and the U.S. government, attracting more than $70 million for conservation.

They have renewed efforts within and across their countries to protect and manage their natural resources in a sustainable, forward-thinking way.

And perhaps most importantly, at this vital time in history when we have a deadline for finding global agreement on how to manage climate change, these island leaders are demonstrating that governments can join together towards a common goal.

(March 2009)

Photo credits (top to bottom, left to right): © Pakin Atoll, Micronesia (Jez O'Hare); courtesy of Pat Naehu