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Changing the Narrative – A New Pathway for the Pacific | Lagi Toribau | TEDxSuva


[Applause]

[Applause] imagine a world where the Pacific Ocean

imagine a world where the Pacific Ocean

imagine a world where the Pacific Ocean is an independent state in its own right

is an independent state in its own right

is an independent state in its own right it’s an economy in its own right a

it’s an economy in its own right a

it’s an economy in its own right a natural oceans power that utilizes and

natural oceans power that utilizes and

natural oceans power that utilizes and uses its traditional science while apt

uses its traditional science while apt

uses its traditional science while apt at modern science an economy that

at modern science an economy that

at modern science an economy that thrives for the long-term and not for

thrives for the long-term and not for

thrives for the long-term and not for short-term economic gain a superpower

short-term economic gain a superpower

short-term economic gain a superpower that embraces sustainability equity

that embraces sustainability equity

that embraces sustainability equity while putting its people first a

while putting its people first a

while putting its people first a champion for cultural and traditional

champion for cultural and traditional

champion for cultural and traditional practices and values a defender for

practices and values a defender for

practices and values a defender for basic human rights yet is not driven or

basic human rights yet is not driven or

basic human rights yet is not driven or scared by the in justices of the

scared by the in justices of the

scared by the in justices of the developed world more money ladies and

developed world more money ladies and

developed world more money ladies and gentlemen for far too long we in the

gentlemen for far too long we in the

gentlemen for far too long we in the Pacific and particularly as Pacific

Pacific and particularly as Pacific

Pacific and particularly as Pacific Islanders we have been led to believe

Islanders we have been led to believe

Islanders we have been led to believe that we are small we’re from tiny

that we are small we’re from tiny

that we are small we’re from tiny islands we are less developed with

islands we are less developed with

islands we are less developed with somewhat lazy yet we long for the facets

somewhat lazy yet we long for the facets

somewhat lazy yet we long for the facets of the developed society whether we have

of the developed society whether we have

of the developed society whether we have one or two cars we have a beautiful big

one or two cars we have a beautiful big

one or two cars we have a beautiful big house whether it’s money whether we have

house whether it’s money whether we have

house whether it’s money whether we have more than two credit cards that you end

more than two credit cards that you end

more than two credit cards that you end up paying for the rest of your life how

up paying for the rest of your life how

up paying for the rest of your life how have we become so obsessed with this

have we become so obsessed with this

have we become so obsessed with this idea why have we as Pacific Islanders

idea why have we as Pacific Islanders

idea why have we as Pacific Islanders become so obsessed with this idea of

become so obsessed with this idea of

become so obsessed with this idea of materialistic dependency where did we go

materialistic dependency where did we go

materialistic dependency where did we go where did we go wrong

where did we go wrong

where did we go wrong but then again I tend to wonder and when

but then again I tend to wonder and when

but then again I tend to wonder and when we look at the more developed world

we look at the more developed world

we look at the more developed world they’re on the opposite side they’re

they’re on the opposite side they’re

they’re on the opposite side they’re starting to long for a more simple way

starting to long for a more simple way

starting to long for a more simple way of living a simple lifestyle they come

of living a simple lifestyle they come

of living a simple lifestyle they come to our tourism sectors booming they come

to our tourism sectors booming they come

to our tourism sectors booming they come and enjoy our white beautiful sandy

and enjoy our white beautiful sandy

and enjoy our white beautiful sandy beaches the exotic smile that we are

beaches the exotic smile that we are

beaches the exotic smile that we are known for in the Pacific the rich and

known for in the Pacific the rich and

known for in the Pacific the rich and the fresh food that we get from our

the fresh food that we get from our

the fresh food that we get from our season our forests social change and

season our forests social change and

season our forests social change and development to me is at the u-turn the

development to me is at the u-turn the

development to me is at the u-turn the developed society or the developed world

developed society or the developed world

developed society or the developed world they reach a tipping point where they

they reach a tipping point where they

they reach a tipping point where they long for what we have in the developing

long for what we have in the developing

long for what we have in the developing world some may argue that it’s probably

world some may argue that it’s probably

world some may argue that it’s probably because of the in justices or the

because of the in justices or the

because of the in justices or the looming threat of climate change that is

looming threat of climate change that is

looming threat of climate change that is upon all of us and where society has

upon all of us and where society has

upon all of us and where society has been forced to relook at history and

been forced to relook at history and

been forced to relook at history and where it went wrong perhaps during the

where it went wrong perhaps during the

where it went wrong perhaps during the industrialization era some may claim

industrialization era some may claim

industrialization era some may claim that we’ve probably pushed our

that we’ve probably pushed our

that we’ve probably pushed our environmental boundaries to its Brinks

environmental boundaries to its Brinks

environmental boundaries to its Brinks whether it is our oceans our forests our

whether it is our oceans our forests our

whether it is our oceans our forests our climate or our reach biodiversity area

climate or our reach biodiversity area

climate or our reach biodiversity area some skeptics might even say that it is

some skeptics might even say that it is

some skeptics might even say that it is because of the few powerful elites those

because of the few powerful elites those

because of the few powerful elites those big corporations those big governments

big corporations those big governments

big corporations those big governments that have led us down the wrong path way

that have led us down the wrong path way

that have led us down the wrong path way of history and they still continue to

of history and they still continue to

of history and they still continue to dominate the world it might very well be

dominate the world it might very well be

dominate the world it might very well be that all of this rationale and reasons

that all of this rationale and reasons

that all of this rationale and reasons are valid in its own right but

are valid in its own right but

are valid in its own right but there’s one thing that I’m very sure of

there’s one thing that I’m very sure of

there’s one thing that I’m very sure of and there’s a colluding factor and that

and there’s a colluding factor and that

and there’s a colluding factor and that is the need for us whether we’re in the

is the need for us whether we’re in the

is the need for us whether we’re in the developed world or in the developing

developed world or in the developing

developed world or in the developing world we need to change the way that we

world we need to change the way that we

world we need to change the way that we currently do business current status quo

currently do business current status quo

currently do business current status quo is not sustainable it’s not saving our

is not sustainable it’s not saving our

is not sustainable it’s not saving our interest it’s not saving the interests

interest it’s not saving the interests

interest it’s not saving the interests of the developed world we need to change

of the developed world we need to change

of the developed world we need to change the way that we treat our climate and

the way that we treat our climate and

the way that we treat our climate and the planet that we live on

the planet that we live on

the planet that we live on we need to reassess our relationship to

we need to reassess our relationship to

we need to reassess our relationship to our natural environment and this is

our natural environment and this is

our natural environment and this is where we come in a specific island is is

where we come in a specific island is is

where we come in a specific island is is if anyone else we can connect to our

if anyone else we can connect to our

if anyone else we can connect to our natural environment quicker than anyone

natural environment quicker than anyone

natural environment quicker than anyone else but before I get into that I just

else but before I get into that I just

else but before I get into that I just want to address this fundamental

want to address this fundamental

want to address this fundamental question that keeps on coming up and in

question that keeps on coming up and in

question that keeps on coming up and in my previous profession I used to travel

my previous profession I used to travel

my previous profession I used to travel to to Europe and and Asia quite often

to to Europe and and Asia quite often

to to Europe and and Asia quite often and trying to explain where Fiji is was

and trying to explain where Fiji is was

and trying to explain where Fiji is was always a nightmare where I’m coming in

always a nightmare where I’m coming in

always a nightmare where I’m coming in by plane or by boat

by plane or by boat

by plane or by boat and the only geographical compass that I

and the only geographical compass that I

and the only geographical compass that I can put is Australia everyone knows

can put is Australia everyone knows

can put is Australia everyone knows Australia obviously and the easiest way

Australia obviously and the easiest way

Australia obviously and the easiest way that I experienced will feature is only

that I experienced will feature is only

that I experienced will feature is only three to four flight away from Michelle

three to four flight away from Michelle

three to four flight away from Michelle and immediately in people’s minds like

and immediately in people’s minds like

and immediately in people’s minds like so you’re part of Australia

so how how small are we when we hardly

so how how small are we when we hardly appear on world maps let me give you a

appear on world maps let me give you a

appear on world maps let me give you a few example so Fiji Fiji has a landmass

few example so Fiji Fiji has a landmass

few example so Fiji Fiji has a landmass of a little over eighteen thousand three

of a little over eighteen thousand three

of a little over eighteen thousand three hundred square kilometers with our

hundred square kilometers with our

hundred square kilometers with our population of just under nine hundred

population of just under nine hundred

population of just under nine hundred thousand get our ocean waters yeah or

thousand get our ocean waters yeah or

thousand get our ocean waters yeah or more formally known as our economic

more formally known as our economic

more formally known as our economic exclusive zone is about 1.2 million

exclusive zone is about 1.2 million

exclusive zone is about 1.2 million square kilometres of ocean that’s almost

square kilometres of ocean that’s almost

square kilometres of ocean that’s almost the size of South Africa when we go when

the size of South Africa when we go when

the size of South Africa when we go when we look at our brothers and sisters in

we look at our brothers and sisters in

we look at our brothers and sisters in kiri bus yeah they have they have a

kiri bus yeah they have they have a

kiri bus yeah they have they have a landmass of about 800 square kilometers

landmass of about 800 square kilometers

landmass of about 800 square kilometers yet the ocean waters is about 3.5

yet the ocean waters is about 3.5

yet the ocean waters is about 3.5 million square kilometers of ocean you

million square kilometers of ocean you

million square kilometers of ocean you take the whole continental USA you put

take the whole continental USA you put

take the whole continental USA you put it inside Peary bus it doesn’t even fit

Cook Islands they have an ocean water of

Cook Islands they have an ocean water of about 1.8 million square kilometers of

about 1.8 million square kilometers of

about 1.8 million square kilometers of ocean that is almost the size of

ocean that is almost the size of

ocean that is almost the size of Indonesia our friendly North Palau which

Indonesia our friendly North Palau which

Indonesia our friendly North Palau which is one of my favourite countries I call

is one of my favourite countries I call

is one of my favourite countries I call a second home they are they have one of

a second home they are they have one of

a second home they are they have one of the smaller smaller national waters in

the smaller smaller national waters in

the smaller smaller national waters in comparison to the rest of the Pacific

comparison to the rest of the Pacific

comparison to the rest of the Pacific Island countries their national audience

Island countries their national audience

Island countries their national audience is around 600,000 square kilometers of

is around 600,000 square kilometers of

is around 600,000 square kilometers of ocean smaller to us but that’s almost a

ocean smaller to us but that’s almost a

ocean smaller to us but that’s almost a size of France

the Pacific Ocean commands a third of

the Pacific Ocean commands a third of the world’s surface collectively we in

the world’s surface collectively we in

the world’s surface collectively we in the Pacific we own over and can claim

the Pacific we own over and can claim

the Pacific we own over and can claim over a hundred million square kilometers

over a hundred million square kilometers

over a hundred million square kilometers of ocean making us the single the

of ocean making us the single the

of ocean making us the single the biggest and the most powerful ocean

biggest and the most powerful ocean

biggest and the most powerful ocean oceanic continent in the world if anyone

oceanic continent in the world if anyone

oceanic continent in the world if anyone were to ask me are you small no I’m big

were to ask me are you small no I’m big

were to ask me are you small no I’m big I’m goddamn big so I suggest that we

I’m goddamn big so I suggest that we

I’m goddamn big so I suggest that we start changing our narrative we start

start changing our narrative we start

start changing our narrative we start prepositioning ourselves as maybe small

prepositioning ourselves as maybe small

prepositioning ourselves as maybe small islands but we are large ocean States

islands but we are large ocean States

islands but we are large ocean States are you convinced great alright so now

are you convinced great alright so now

are you convinced great alright so now let’s talk some business

let’s talk some business

let’s talk some business so our ocean is our single greatest

so our ocean is our single greatest

so our ocean is our single greatest asset in the Pacific it’s deteriorating

asset in the Pacific it’s deteriorating

asset in the Pacific it’s deteriorating and it’s depreciating in its value let’s

and it’s depreciating in its value let’s

and it’s depreciating in its value let’s look at the let’s look at the the tuna

look at the let’s look at the the tuna

look at the let’s look at the the tuna fishery sector so more than half of the

fishery sector so more than half of the

fishery sector so more than half of the world’s tuna supply comes from here the

world’s tuna supply comes from here the

world’s tuna supply comes from here the Indian Ocean the Atlantic the eastern

Indian Ocean the Atlantic the eastern

Indian Ocean the Atlantic the eastern Pacific they’ve completely over

Pacific they’ve completely over

Pacific they’ve completely over exploited the ocean resources that now

exploited the ocean resources that now

exploited the ocean resources that now the Pacific is the last remaining tuna

the Pacific is the last remaining tuna

the Pacific is the last remaining tuna fisheries that’s why you see a lot of

fisheries that’s why you see a lot of

fisheries that’s why you see a lot of boats sitting in the silver harbor there

boats sitting in the silver harbor there

boats sitting in the silver harbor there was a great influx of foreign fishing

was a great influx of foreign fishing

was a great influx of foreign fishing vessels coming from all parts of the

vessels coming from all parts of the

vessels coming from all parts of the world to come in plunder our last

world to come in plunder our last

world to come in plunder our last remaining tuna resources

this industry is worth roughly about

this industry is worth roughly about five to seven billion dollars annually

five to seven billion dollars annually

five to seven billion dollars annually most of the fishing majority of the

most of the fishing majority of the

most of the fishing majority of the fishing is done by our distant water

fishing is done by our distant water

fishing is done by our distant water fishing partners most of the processing

fishing partners most of the processing

fishing partners most of the processing is done offshore so not only do they

is done offshore so not only do they

is done offshore so not only do they come into our house come into our waters

come into our house come into our waters

come into our house come into our waters fish our fish they take it with them

fish our fish they take it with them

fish our fish they take it with them it’s quite rare to hold them accountable

it’s quite rare to hold them accountable

it’s quite rare to hold them accountable to a lot of their destructive fishing

to a lot of their destructive fishing

to a lot of their destructive fishing practices and they take majority of the

practices and they take majority of the

practices and they take majority of the profit with them the ways the justice in

profit with them the ways the justice in

profit with them the ways the justice in that if we look at the the deep-sea

that if we look at the the deep-sea

that if we look at the the deep-sea mineral sector our ocean seafloor is one

mineral sector our ocean seafloor is one

mineral sector our ocean seafloor is one of our most pristine it’s still largely

of our most pristine it’s still largely

of our most pristine it’s still largely under exploited we still have a lot to

under exploited we still have a lot to

under exploited we still have a lot to learn and understand about what’s in our

learn and understand about what’s in our

learn and understand about what’s in our seafloor and right now the the via the

seafloor and right now the the via the

seafloor and right now the the via the approach that the Pacific has been taken

approach that the Pacific has been taken

approach that the Pacific has been taken is to try and understand what rich

is to try and understand what rich

is to try and understand what rich minerals and resources that we have on

minerals and resources that we have on

minerals and resources that we have on our seafloor and this is again done by

our seafloor and this is again done by

our seafloor and this is again done by our foreign partners we have countries

our foreign partners we have countries

our foreign partners we have countries like Fiji Tonga Solomon Islands that

like Fiji Tonga Solomon Islands that

like Fiji Tonga Solomon Islands that have issued exploration licenses to our

have issued exploration licenses to our

have issued exploration licenses to our foreign partners to try and understand

foreign partners to try and understand

foreign partners to try and understand but also to hopefully assess the value

but also to hopefully assess the value

but also to hopefully assess the value of the rich mineral resources that we

of the rich mineral resources that we

of the rich mineral resources that we have at the bottom of our sea floor

have at the bottom of our sea floor

have at the bottom of our sea floor belongs to us we also have Papua New

belongs to us we also have Papua New

belongs to us we also have Papua New Guinea which is one of the only

Guinea which is one of the only

Guinea which is one of the only countries in the Pacific actually that

countries in the Pacific actually that

countries in the Pacific actually that has given licence to the extraction of

has given licence to the extraction of

has given licence to the extraction of deep sea minerals to a Canadian company

deep sea minerals to a Canadian company

deep sea minerals to a Canadian company if we look at the climate change sector

if we look at the climate change sector

if we look at the climate change sector the Pacific if I get my facts right we

the Pacific if I get my facts right we

the Pacific if I get my facts right we contribute only 0.03 percent of global

contribute only 0.03 percent of global

contribute only 0.03 percent of global carbon emission Yam so what that

carbon emission Yam so what that

carbon emission Yam so what that actually means is if we were to stop all

actually means is if we were to stop all

actually means is if we were to stop all of our climate induced activities it’s

of our climate induced activities it’s

of our climate induced activities it’s it’s a small dent the whole

it’s a small dent the whole

it’s a small dent the whole climate sector yet the biggest culprits

climate sector yet the biggest culprits

climate sector yet the biggest culprits I call the culprits are the big polluter

I call the culprits are the big polluter

I call the culprits are the big polluter countries China the US India Russia

countries China the US India Russia

countries China the US India Russia Australia is one of the biggest coal

Australia is one of the biggest coal

Australia is one of the biggest coal exporter India these are the very same

exporter India these are the very same

exporter India these are the very same countries these are the very same

countries these are the very same

countries these are the very same development partners that we that we

development partners that we that we

development partners that we that we allow to come into our waters dictating

allow to come into our waters dictating

allow to come into our waters dictating under their own rules they give us money

under their own rules they give us money

under their own rules they give us money for adaptation to help us adapt to this

for adaptation to help us adapt to this

for adaptation to help us adapt to this changing environment that we are led to

changing environment that we are led to

changing environment that we are led to believe that we have no control over and

believe that we have no control over and

believe that we have no control over and yet

yet

yet the fate of our future now Islands rests

the fate of our future now Islands rests

the fate of our future now Islands rests in their hands we get into a marriage

in their hands we get into a marriage

in their hands we get into a marriage now form partners we go through a very

now form partners we go through a very

now form partners we go through a very beautiful honeymoon period involves a

beautiful honeymoon period involves a

beautiful honeymoon period involves a lot of money and this cheating or like

lot of money and this cheating or like

lot of money and this cheating or like my friend my taboos for Manila would

my friend my taboos for Manila would

my friend my taboos for Manila would Paulo say Tomba and then we instructed

Paulo say Tomba and then we instructed

Paulo say Tomba and then we instructed to go through counseling in most

to go through counseling in most

to go through counseling in most instance instances we are always at the

instance instances we are always at the

instance instances we are always at the losing end we come out of it not gaining

losing end we come out of it not gaining

losing end we come out of it not gaining anything and a lot of this is because we

anything and a lot of this is because we

anything and a lot of this is because we underestimate our value we do not punch

underestimate our value we do not punch

underestimate our value we do not punch above our weight we don’t reposition

above our weight we don’t reposition

above our weight we don’t reposition that we are not small we are not

that we are not small we are not

that we are not small we are not dependent on your resources you depend

dependent on your resources you depend

dependent on your resources you depend on our resources so you want to hear my

on our resources so you want to hear my

on our resources so you want to hear my big idea I’m just getting started so

big idea I’m just getting started so

big idea I’m just getting started so this is my big idea the Pacific Ocean as

this is my big idea the Pacific Ocean as

this is my big idea the Pacific Ocean as an independent state in its own right

an independent state in its own right

an independent state in its own right that is governed and led by Pacific

that is governed and led by Pacific

that is governed and led by Pacific people in their own way and in its own

people in their own way and in its own

people in their own way and in its own pace and under its own rules this

pace and under its own rules this

pace and under its own rules this independent state will be the wealthiest

independent state will be the wealthiest

independent state will be the wealthiest economy in the world it’s not going to

economy in the world it’s not going to

economy in the world it’s not going to be led by greed but will be driven by

be led by greed but will be driven by

be led by greed but will be driven by long-term prosperity future livelihood

long-term prosperity future livelihood

long-term prosperity future livelihood and traditional practices and norms

and traditional practices and norms

and traditional practices and norms equitable sharing mechanisms and a

equitable sharing mechanisms and a

equitable sharing mechanisms and a sustainable methods of practices and

sustainable methods of practices and

sustainable methods of practices and harvesting you like my big idea all

harvesting you like my big idea all

harvesting you like my big idea all right well with this big idea you kind

right well with this big idea you kind

right well with this big idea you kind of have to help to make sure that you

of have to help to make sure that you

of have to help to make sure that you have the proper assets and the strategy

have the proper assets and the strategy

have the proper assets and the strategy to be able to pull this off and yes we

to be able to pull this off and yes we

to be able to pull this off and yes we have the assets to pull this off we have

have the assets to pull this off we have

have the assets to pull this off we have the commodity to trade and we have the

the commodity to trade and we have the

the commodity to trade and we have the political capital to punch above our

political capital to punch above our

political capital to punch above our weight and be recognized by the

weight and be recognized by the

weight and be recognized by the international community so let’s look at

international community so let’s look at

international community so let’s look at some of the few assets that we have in

some of the few assets that we have in

some of the few assets that we have in the Pacific that could be turned into

the Pacific that could be turned into

the Pacific that could be turned into commodity to try and make this economy

commodity to try and make this economy

commodity to try and make this economy work let’s look at the energy sector one

work let’s look at the energy sector one

work let’s look at the energy sector one of the current and the biggest debate

of the current and the biggest debate

of the current and the biggest debate that we’re having particularly in the

that we’re having particularly in the

that we’re having particularly in the environmental sector is to try and find

environmental sector is to try and find

environmental sector is to try and find an alternative to the fossil fuel

an alternative to the fossil fuel

an alternative to the fossil fuel dependency that the world been stuck in

dependency that the world been stuck in

dependency that the world been stuck in for decades the Pacific we are well

for decades the Pacific we are well

for decades the Pacific we are well positioned for this we have water we

positioned for this we have water we

positioned for this we have water we have wind we have land and we have

have wind we have land and we have

have wind we have land and we have endless supply of the Sun what all do

endless supply of the Sun what all do

endless supply of the Sun what all do you need what else do you need these are

you need what else do you need these are

you need what else do you need these are just some of the examples that I thought

just some of the examples that I thought

just some of the examples that I thought was worth noting we have geothermal and

was worth noting we have geothermal and

was worth noting we have geothermal and hydro resources potential particularly

hydro resources potential particularly

hydro resources potential particularly in in our Melanesian countries Fiji

in in our Melanesian countries Fiji

in in our Melanesian countries Fiji Papua New Guinea Vanuatu and Solomon

Papua New Guinea Vanuatu and Solomon

Papua New Guinea Vanuatu and Solomon Islands have the potential to put in

Islands have the potential to put in

Islands have the potential to put in place geothermal or hydro projects

renewable energy sources this this can

renewable energy sources this this can be put in place anywhere really across

be put in place anywhere really across

be put in place anywhere really across the Pacific we can put in place wind

the Pacific we can put in place wind

the Pacific we can put in place wind turbines whether on land or at sea we

turbines whether on land or at sea we

turbines whether on land or at sea we have solar um and there has been a lot

have solar um and there has been a lot

have solar um and there has been a lot of studies and initiatives that has been

of studies and initiatives that has been

of studies and initiatives that has been put into looking at the potential and

put into looking at the potential and

put into looking at the potential and the viability for this in the pacific

the viability for this in the pacific

the viability for this in the pacific most of the work has been done on this

most of the work has been done on this

most of the work has been done on this we just need to make sure that we pick

we just need to make sure that we pick

we just need to make sure that we pick it up and we make it happen coconut

it up and we make it happen coconut

it up and we make it happen coconut there’s a potential for us to utilize

there’s a potential for us to utilize

there’s a potential for us to utilize the beautiful coconut trees and the

the beautiful coconut trees and the

the beautiful coconut trees and the out of coconuts and booze that we have

out of coconuts and booze that we have

out of coconuts and booze that we have then in coconut oil for biofuels and

then in coconut oil for biofuels and

then in coconut oil for biofuels and this can even be a thriving thing for

this can even be a thriving thing for

this can even be a thriving thing for adults and coral at coral islands and

adults and coral at coral islands and

adults and coral at coral islands and not only on on large amass countries the

not only on on large amass countries the

not only on on large amass countries the oil and gas sector this is not a new

oil and gas sector this is not a new

oil and gas sector this is not a new industry for us the island gets acted

industry for us the island gets acted

industry for us the island gets acted they as as way back in the 1970s was

they as as way back in the 1970s was

they as as way back in the 1970s was when exploration started coming into the

when exploration started coming into the

when exploration started coming into the Pacific this is not something that we

Pacific this is not something that we

Pacific this is not something that we are new in and I just want to highlight

are new in and I just want to highlight

are new in and I just want to highlight two specific examples to be able to

two specific examples to be able to

two specific examples to be able to hopefully bring the message back home

hopefully bring the message back home

hopefully bring the message back home about the potential of this but also the

about the potential of this but also the

about the potential of this but also the importance of how we should manage this

importance of how we should manage this

importance of how we should manage this properly

properly

properly PNG government have modeled their oil

PNG government have modeled their oil

PNG government have modeled their oil and gas industry as a model for

and gas industry as a model for

and gas industry as a model for development for them in 2015 PNG is

development for them in 2015 PNG is

development for them in 2015 PNG is total mineral export was estimated to be

total mineral export was estimated to be

total mineral export was estimated to be around 1.6 billion dollars in value yet

around 1.6 billion dollars in value yet

around 1.6 billion dollars in value yet the revenue that the government got from

the revenue that the government got from

the revenue that the government got from that year was only 8 million only five

that year was only 8 million only five

that year was only 8 million only five zero point five percent of what they

zero point five percent of what they

zero point five percent of what they were rightfully owned in another extreme

were rightfully owned in another extreme

were rightfully owned in another extreme example Norway who has got a was had a

example Norway who has got a was had a

example Norway who has got a was had a lot of history in the oil and gas sector

lot of history in the oil and gas sector

lot of history in the oil and gas sector they completely redesigned their

they completely redesigned their

they completely redesigned their development strategy they reinvested oil

development strategy they reinvested oil

development strategy they reinvested oil and gas that that ended up having the

and gas that that ended up having the

and gas that that ended up having the profit that was worth over eight hundred

profit that was worth over eight hundred

profit that was worth over eight hundred and ninety billion dollars that

and ninety billion dollars that

and ninety billion dollars that technically makes every Norwegian a

technically makes every Norwegian a

technically makes every Norwegian a millionaire it can happen

deep sea minerals valuable rocks and

deep sea minerals valuable rocks and metals that we have we have nodules

metals that we have we have nodules

metals that we have we have nodules cobalt rich crust and sulfide deposits

cobalt rich crust and sulfide deposits

cobalt rich crust and sulfide deposits with high grades of zinc copper silver

with high grades of zinc copper silver

with high grades of zinc copper silver gold lead and rare earth and some of the

gold lead and rare earth and some of the

gold lead and rare earth and some of the exploration activity that has been done

exploration activity that has been done

exploration activity that has been done has already also documented some of

has already also documented some of

has already also documented some of these potentials that we have in the

these potentials that we have in the

these potentials that we have in the Pacific marine genetic resources

Pacific marine genetic resources

Pacific marine genetic resources this is one of these new things this new

this is one of these new things this new

this is one of these new things this new emerging industry in globally and look

emerging industry in globally and look

emerging industry in globally and look and this is also at the bottom of our

and this is also at the bottom of our

and this is also at the bottom of our sea floor and there’s been interest that

sea floor and there’s been interest that

sea floor and there’s been interest that we’ve also noticed that are coming

we’ve also noticed that are coming

we’ve also noticed that are coming through the Pacific in in trying to get

through the Pacific in in trying to get

through the Pacific in in trying to get access to this and at the moment a lot

access to this and at the moment a lot

access to this and at the moment a lot of this is still stuck at technology

of this is still stuck at technology

of this is still stuck at technology level

level

level who’s got the technology who has the

who’s got the technology who has the

who’s got the technology who has the ability to go down

ability to go down

ability to go down who has the signs and of course the

who has the signs and of course the

who has the signs and of course the Pacific Island countries can’t outbid

Pacific Island countries can’t outbid

Pacific Island countries can’t outbid that um so we still stuck on our

that um so we still stuck on our

that um so we still stuck on our dependency on on our foreign partners a

dependency on on our foreign partners a

dependency on on our foreign partners a number interactive resources is so

number interactive resources is so

number interactive resources is so critical it’s so fundamental to

critical it’s so fundamental to

critical it’s so fundamental to pharmaceutical the medical industry our

pharmaceutical the medical industry our

pharmaceutical the medical industry our cosmetic and even the food industry

marine tourism I think we this is one of

marine tourism I think we this is one of our more comfort zone that we normally

our more comfort zone that we normally

our more comfort zone that we normally look at how the value of our ocean

look at how the value of our ocean

look at how the value of our ocean resources you think we’re watching

resources you think we’re watching

resources you think we’re watching diving sports fishing in a recent report

diving sports fishing in a recent report

diving sports fishing in a recent report that I read by mag bio it put an

that I read by mag bio it put an

that I read by mag bio it put an estimated value of Fiji alone Fiji’s

estimated value of Fiji alone Fiji’s

estimated value of Fiji alone Fiji’s marine tourism of up to 1.15 billion

marine tourism of up to 1.15 billion

marine tourism of up to 1.15 billion dollars annually and they did all the

dollars annually and they did all the

dollars annually and they did all the analysis on all the assessment the shock

analysis on all the assessment the shock

analysis on all the assessment the shock tourism sector loan could be worth up to

tourism sector loan could be worth up to

tourism sector loan could be worth up to eight to six million dollars I think we

eight to six million dollars I think we

eight to six million dollars I think we all we’ve all seen the thriving Tong and

all we’ve all seen the thriving Tong and

all we’ve all seen the thriving Tong and whale watching industry and this is one

whale watching industry and this is one

whale watching industry and this is one of the models that is being replicated

of the models that is being replicated

of the models that is being replicated in the region including Palau one of the

in the region including Palau one of the

in the region including Palau one of the assessment that I read stated that a

assessment that I read stated that a

assessment that I read stated that a single humpback whale returning every

single humpback whale returning every

single humpback whale returning every year to Tonga could generate up to us 1

year to Tonga could generate up to us 1

year to Tonga could generate up to us 1 million dollars that’s just one humpback

we also have other whales that

we also have other whales that constitute the Pacific Ocean just don’t

constitute the Pacific Ocean just don’t

constitute the Pacific Ocean just don’t know

in the other reports that I’ve seen

in the other reports that I’ve seen whales and dolphins watching in a

whales and dolphins watching in a

whales and dolphins watching in a six-year period jumped from a value of

six-year period jumped from a value of

six-year period jumped from a value of us 500 thousand to more than 7.5 million

that spend a lot of their money and time

that spend a lot of their money and time coming to watch the whale watching in

coming to watch the whale watching in

coming to watch the whale watching in the Pacific they spending directly on

the Pacific they spending directly on

the Pacific they spending directly on average about twenty-one million dollars

average about twenty-one million dollars

average about twenty-one million dollars a year and this is throughout the region

a year and this is throughout the region

a year and this is throughout the region so marine tourism as much as we already

so marine tourism as much as we already

so marine tourism as much as we already in it there’s a higher potential

shipping lanes and telecommunication

shipping lanes and telecommunication cables over half of the world’s

cables over half of the world’s

cables over half of the world’s commercial shipping happens across the

commercial shipping happens across the

commercial shipping happens across the Asia Pacific waters yeah it makes us

Asia Pacific waters yeah it makes us

Asia Pacific waters yeah it makes us quite an important geographical space

quite an important geographical space

quite an important geographical space for trading we are naturally a player in

for trading we are naturally a player in

for trading we are naturally a player in it the telecommunication with the use of

it the telecommunication with the use of

it the telecommunication with the use of cables that they put on now seafloor if

cables that they put on now seafloor if

cables that they put on now seafloor if we want to we can treat this as an

we want to we can treat this as an

we want to we can treat this as an economy as well look at how the control

economy as well look at how the control

economy as well look at how the control of air space if we want to we can

of air space if we want to we can

of air space if we want to we can control this and they need us they need

control this and they need us they need

control this and they need us they need to come through us and they need to

to come through us and they need to

to come through us and they need to access our waters my favorite topic

access our waters my favorite topic

access our waters my favorite topic climate change as an economy at the

climate change as an economy at the

climate change as an economy at the moment the current mindset is that we

moment the current mindset is that we

moment the current mindset is that we are waiting on the more developed world

are waiting on the more developed world

are waiting on the more developed world for them to change their mentality

for them to change their mentality

for them to change their mentality change their business model to try and

change their business model to try and

change their business model to try and deliver us away from this predicament

deliver us away from this predicament

deliver us away from this predicament that we’re stuck in on the impacts of

that we’re stuck in on the impacts of

that we’re stuck in on the impacts of climate change but if we flip that

climate change but if we flip that

climate change but if we flip that around and if we try and take control of

around and if we try and take control of

around and if we try and take control of the climate sector the role that we can

the climate sector the role that we can

the climate sector the role that we can play as the Pacific as a Pacific Ocean

play as the Pacific as a Pacific Ocean

play as the Pacific as a Pacific Ocean is that we can be the Redeemer of their

is that we can be the Redeemer of their

is that we can be the Redeemer of their sins with all of their

sins with all of their

sins with all of their is carbon up in the atmosphere we have

is carbon up in the atmosphere we have

is carbon up in the atmosphere we have the capability to be able to store it

the capability to be able to store it

the capability to be able to store it here we can sync it to our ocean we can

here we can sync it to our ocean we can

here we can sync it to our ocean we can trade it use it as offset using our

trade it use it as offset using our

trade it use it as offset using our force now land our mangroves and our sea

force now land our mangroves and our sea

force now land our mangroves and our sea grass are thriving and it is a natural

grass are thriving and it is a natural

grass are thriving and it is a natural important player in the climate sector

important player in the climate sector

important player in the climate sector if we want we don’t have to wait for

if we want we don’t have to wait for

if we want we don’t have to wait for China you we don’t have to wait for

China you we don’t have to wait for

China you we don’t have to wait for India we don’t have to wait for Trump we

India we don’t have to wait for Trump we

India we don’t have to wait for Trump we can and I’m very very helped by thankful

can and I’m very very helped by thankful

can and I’m very very helped by thankful that Fiji is tearing the pot meeting

that Fiji is tearing the pot meeting

that Fiji is tearing the pot meeting this year and this is the me perhaps an

this year and this is the me perhaps an

this year and this is the me perhaps an important opportunity for us to start

important opportunity for us to start

important opportunity for us to start echoing this this change in narrative

echoing this this change in narrative

echoing this this change in narrative that we are small we’re not going to

that we are small we’re not going to

that we are small we’re not going to wait for you there’s a lot at stake for

wait for you there’s a lot at stake for

wait for you there’s a lot at stake for us so the wheel is turning whether we

us so the wheel is turning whether we

us so the wheel is turning whether we like it or not but we have the ability

like it or not but we have the ability

like it or not but we have the ability to be able to force the wheel to turn

to be able to force the wheel to turn

to be able to force the wheel to turn faster we should not be dependent

faster we should not be dependent

faster we should not be dependent anymore we should not be reliant we

anymore we should not be reliant we

anymore we should not be reliant we should not be told what to do we should

should not be told what to do we should

should not be told what to do we should not be made be made to believe that just

not be made be made to believe that just

not be made be made to believe that just because they have the resources just

because they have the resources just

because they have the resources just because they have the technology just

because they have the technology just

because they have the technology just because they send us consultants every

because they send us consultants every

because they send us consultants every time something is going wrong that we

time something is going wrong that we

time something is going wrong that we have to that we have to go down that

have to that we have to go down that

have to that we have to go down that road let’s put them let’s put our foot

road let’s put them let’s put our foot

road let’s put them let’s put our foot down let’s make a change let’s decide

down let’s make a change let’s decide

down let’s make a change let’s decide our own fate can it happen well thank

our own fate can it happen well thank

our own fate can it happen well thank you I will leave you with that wanaka

you I will leave you with that wanaka

you I will leave you with that wanaka Valley

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