Developing Sustainable Energy Sources Forum: Advisory Panel on the Question of the Pacific Islands with respect to preparing for the effects of climate change Issue: Developing Sustainable Energy Sources Student Officer: Mila Escajadillo Position: President of the Advisory Panel on the Question of the Pacific Islands

Introduction Since the early days of global warming, nations worldwide have been developing alternate sources of energy to reduce their environmental impact. Plans to begin to use renewable resources such as solar power, wind power and hydroelectric power are well underway, along with research on nuclear energy. Though the Pacific Islands are among the first states to feel the impacts of global warming (and the lowest contributors to the problem – only .03%!), they are among the least capable to develop and use more eco-friendly energy methods. Therefore, they continue to use coal power, despite the consequences to the environment. Although research is being done on alternate energy sources, states such as Hawaii continue to get as much as 86% of their energy from oil and coal. However, the problem is not confined to the Pacific Islands’ use of fossil fuels. Nations worldwide persist in using coal power and don’t modernize their electricity. Thus, they contribute to global warming and rising sea levels on a much higher scale than the Pacific Islands do. Though these issues are not of immediate importance to most nations worldwide, the Pacific Islands risk being submerged if sea levels rise high enough. Therefore, it is critical for nations worldwide to look to alternate energy sources in collaboration with the Pacific Islands in order to reduce their environmental impact.

Key Terms Defined Pacific Islands: a geographic region covering 800,000 square km of the Pacific Ocean encompassing a mixture of independent states, associated states, and dependent states, along with parts of nonPacific island countries (adapted from Encyclopedia Britannica).

non-renewable energy: energy from a source that is unsustainable (not replenished quickly enough to rely on for a constant energy source), i.e. crude oil, fossil fuels, nuclear power. Often generate greenhouse gasses. renewable energy: energy that comes from a source that is constantly replenished (i.e. wind power, solar power, hydroelectric power, nuclear power) fossil fuels: non-renewable energy sources that release carbon dioxide when they burn. coal power (also coal energy): a non-renewable source of energy that burns coal to power and heat plants and provides chemicals that can be used in manufacturing processes. Produces greenhouse gasses, which cause global warming. nuclear power (also nuclear energy): power produced by a controlled nuclear reaction using uranium. It is carbon-free, making it a better alternative to fossil fuels in terms of preserving the environment; however, it is dangerous to handle and produces toxic waste. Small island developing states (SIDS): islands that share similar developmental challenges due to geographic isolation, small populations, vulnerability to climate change, etc.

History Scientists began to notice the greenhouse effect in the late 19th century, though the actual causes, effects and implications of it were discovered much later. In short, the greenhouse effect is when “certain gasses [carbon dioxide, water vapor, methane] in the atmosphere block heat from escaping” (Jenkins and Jackson). The consequences of this include rising sea levels, increase in cyclone activity, more frequent heat waves, etc. The Pacific Islands are among the first to suffer immediate effects of climate change, especially rising sea levels. The islands could ultimately be submerged if sea levels continue to rise. In 2011, eleven states in the Pacific Islands grouped together to form the Pacific Small Island Developing States, more commonly Pacific SIDS, to confront such challenges and development priorities.

Key Issues Problems in the Pacific Islands caused by climate change: Local food production overall decreases. This is incredibly harmful in a region where people depend on subsistence agriculture. Fisheries contribute to GDP and the population’s livelihood, and the impacts of climate change (most notably ocean warming) are severe. Ecosystems such as coral reefs and mangroves are incredibly vulnerable to temperature changes of as small as 1ºC. If sea levels continue to rise, the Pacific Islands will be submerged. Use of coal power worldwide: The use of coal power worldwide affects the Pacific Islands very severely. The problem is not the use of coal power in the Pacific Islands, but worldwide. However, nations persist in using coal power, even in new plants, because they have few alternatives and are oblivious to the immediate consequences.

Backwards development of the Pacific Islands: SIDS’ socioeconomic development is backwards. They are isolated, which prevents them from developing economies of scale. Therefore, they lack resources and infrastructure to cope with climate change or make changes to their energy use.

UN Perspective Naturally, the United Nations recognizes the immediate effects of rising sea levels and climate change on the Pacific Islands. Recently, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has praised Pacific Islands’ initiatives towards low-carbon development and hopes other nations will follow their example. He stated that “The Pacific Islands are demonstrating real global leadership in our shared efforts to make a much-needed transition to a new era in energy use and production”. The UN has declared 20142024 to be the Decade for Sustainable energy. Paired with the Secretary General’s Sustainable Energy For All initiative, the UN hopes to achieve goals of universal access to modern energy, doubling energy efficiency and doubling the share of renewable energy, all which will benefit the Pacific Islands greatly.

Major Parties Involved and Their Views Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS) The Pacific SIDS is an informal group of eleven states who work together towards common goals. They focus on the areas of climate change, sustainable development, investment, and oceans and fisheries, and are actively involved in UN affairs related to these topics. United States of America Hawaii and Guam are both US territories in the Pacific Islands, facing the same risks as smaller islands in the region. The USA has invested in renewable energy sources such as hydropower, wind power, solar power, etc. and is researching the effects of nuclear energy.

Timeline of Events • • • • • • • •

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1987 – Montreal Protocol is agreed upon June 1992 – UNFCC opens for signature 11 December 1997 – Kyoto Protocol is adopted January 2010 – Federal States of Micronesia protest dirty coal power in Czech Republic 2011 – formation of Pacific SIDS 6 December 2011 – Momentum for Change launched 2013 – daily mean concentration of CO2 over Mauna Loa, Hawaii surpassed 400 parts per million (ppm) for the first time 27 September 2013 – IPCC Releases 2nd part of Fifth Assessment Report 2014 – start of the UN Decade for Sustainable Energy September 2014 – Secretary General hosts Climate Summit in New York

UN Involvement, Relevant Resolutions, Treaties and Events The UN has had various propositions and takes on climate change throughout decades. Since 1995, there have been yearly United Nations Climate Change Conferences. These are the formal meeting of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) member states. One of the most important outcomes of these conferences is the Kyoto Protocol, which sets internationally binding reductions of greenhouse gasses. It also aims to reduce impacts of greenhouse gas emissions on developing countries.

Evaluation of Previous Attempts to Solve the Issue The Pacific SIDS have presented multiple statements to the UN on sustainable development and eco-friendly energy alternatives. However, the main issue with these solutions is that they are not aimed at worldwide solutions. The Pacific Islands only contribute to a minimal part of carbon emissions, therefore, in order to see a real change, solutions need to be targeted at all nations. The United Nations General Assembly tends towards more worldwide solutions; however, they are not implemented by the nations where it is most necessary. Notable documents include GA resolution 11333, where the Decade of Sustainable Energy for All is outlined; the statement by the representative of Fiji at Oceans at Rio Plus 20; resolution 67/263 and resolution 67/215.

Possible Solutions Modernize coal-fired power plants worldwide By modernizing coal-fired power plants and making the change to lowercarbon energy, nations will reduce their carbon footprint and therefore have less of an impact on climate change. (see conflict between Micronesia and the Czech Republic) Make renewable energy available to the Pacific Islands Most islands in the region have potential to harness some form of renewable energy or another, yet they don’t have the infrastructure to do so. By beginning these projects, the Pacific Islands would have access to renewable energy and also begin to build infrastructure. Invest in research on nuclear power Nuclear power holds huge potential, since it is low-carbon; however, there is not enough information about Nuclear power for nations to begin to use large amounts of it. Knowledge about how to store waste and properly handle it could identify nuclear power as an efficient source of energy.

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