{"id":7711,"date":"2017-09-06T02:39:06","date_gmt":"2017-09-06T10:39:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/worldteamnow.org\/blog\/?p=7711"},"modified":"2021-12-12T22:40:48","modified_gmt":"2021-12-13T06:40:48","slug":"world-team-follows-as-fiji-leads-from-the-pacific-island-region","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldteamnow.org\/blog\/2017\/09\/06\/world-team-follows-as-fiji-leads-from-the-pacific-island-region\/","title":{"rendered":"World Team Follows as Fiji Leads from the Pacific Islands Part 1 Turtle Island \u00a9"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Suzanne Maxx<\/em> \u00a9<\/p>\n

\"\"

The Blue Lagoon Yasawa Islands photo \u00a9 World Team Now\/Maxx<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

The Pacific Island Region seemed to call, and last year I went on an adventure to the islands of Fiji and Samoa. In the past, we had looked for a location in the United States where our non-profit organization 501 (C) (3) World Team Now<\/em> (WTN) could go a step beyond Sustainability and demonstrate a renewable future. The answer to the search came with an invitation from a representative of the Fiji Government to visit the islands of Fiji.<\/p>\n

World Team Now’s goal was to apply the experience of our Orangetown<\/em> Green Microgrid <\/em>entry in the New York Microgrid Prize and share the perspective gained from working on renewable energy and other related systems. World Team Now<\/em> had previously succeeded with small alternative energy projects in our home state of California, such as helping the City of Malibu install Electric Vehicle Chargers in our EV Charging Campaign. In New York (where WTN<\/em> is also registered), we did a net metering initiative that helped solar owners in Lake Placid, NY, finally get the right meters to profit from their solar installations. We were ready to do more.<\/p>\n

I was on assignment for Environment News Service to keep on writing about Small Island Developing States, (SIDS, the UN acronym) and continued to do so while on this journey by writing about Eco Resorts<\/em> in Fiji (click here to read articles).<\/a><\/p>\n

Some colleagues referred to my experience in simultaneously seeking an island location for our World Team project as Dating Geography. What I discovered on this journey was surprising, and unexpected\u2014 and shocking that it took a year to assimilate. There are few words for the events that continued in this time of transformation.<\/p>\n

Fiji\u00a0and other Small Island Developing States (SIDS) may end up leapfrogging the developed nations and become the model for a sustainable future to benefit us all. In this region, ecology and economy can grow to scale and this new development may more appropriately be called Large Ocean Island States (LOIS) in the future.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Flying to Yasawa Islands Fiji photo \u00a9 World Team Now\/Maxx<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

Blending the two words ecology and economy, the Small Island Republic of Fiji has leading Eco Resorts that stretch beyond the imagination. These Fijian Eco Resorts are leading with an Eco prowess formula for sustainability, and it is not just for the tourists\u2019 benefit, or for profit, but for the benefit of all who live there as well.<\/p>\n

Fiji is one of the few naturally pristine island chains left in the world. Located in the Pacific Island Region, Fiji is one of the rare places that still has beautiful coral reefs, flora, and fauna, along with a crystal clear view of stars and starfish alike from the more than 333 Small Islands that make up the Republic of Fiji. Recently, Fiji ranked at the top of Google\u2019s search engine after Fiji\u2019s 7\u2019s won the Olympic Gold in Rugby, but surprisingly Fiji is also searched for happiness and world peace.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Arrived in Nadi Airport, Fiji\u2014 People crowd TV to see Fiji 7s Win Olympic Gold! \u00a9 World Team Now\/Maxx<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

On the world stage, The Republic of Fiji has moved into global leadership and action, not just by their first local team win in Rugby at the Olympics, but also because, in UN terms, Fiji represents leadership action globally.<\/p>\n

Fiji was the first United Nations (UN) member to sign and ratify the Paris Agreement and the Kyoto Protocol.\u00a0His Excellency, Peter Thomson of Fiji, led the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) for the year through September 2017. \u00a0His UNGA leadership was a historical first for an island state, with many successes.<\/p>\n

\"\"

H.E. Peter Thompson President of the General Assembly and Suzanne Maxx at the UN Ocean Conference photo by Tomas Pico \/UN<\/p><\/div>\n

As the President of the 71st General Assembly, Peter Thomson\u00a0held a High-Level Event, titled \u201cClimate Change and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Agenda,\u201d in collaboration with the Secretariat of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). So many UN Member States wanted to participate that another day had to be added to the one-day event. On May 18, 2017, H.E. Peter Thomson facilitated the Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue on financing the SDGs\u2019 future.\u00a0Along with Sweden, Fiji organized the UN-Ocean Conference in New York, June 5\u201310,\u00a0<\/sup>2017. World Team registered the UN Multi-Stakeholder Partnership\u00a0Sustainable Solutions Ocean Opportunities on the Small Island States\u00a0(SOS-IS)<\/em><\/a>\u00a0at the Ocean Conference. H.E. Thomson followed up the Ocean Conference with multi-stakeholder partners conference call on the Mangroves which we joined for the status update coming into his new role continuing with work for the Ocean. Watch the closing of the UNGA<\/a>\u00a0with the summary of H.E. Thomson’s \u00a0accomplishments<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Fiji hosts the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change UNFCC\u2019s COP23 from November 6\u201317, 2017 in Bonn, Germany<\/a> (being held in Bonn, due to Fiji’s lack of capacity to host more than 20,000 guests in any one island area venue).<\/p>\n

With a relatively new Constitution to govern the Republic, Fiji is in the process of petitioning to join the UN Council for Human Rights in 2018.<\/p>\n

Of all the treasures Fiji boasts, the most valuable may be the welcoming character and loving (Bula<\/em>) nature of the native people and their culture. Even industry,\u00a0Fiji Airlines, for example, welcomes all in\u00a0a BIG way.<\/p>\n

\"Airport,

Fiji Airways hanger. \u00a9 World Team Now\/Suzanne Maxx<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

The native culture\u2019s hospitality yields care\u2014 coming from an organic, authentic lifestyle that lives close to nature and is intimate with the ocean.\u00a0 Like most island republics, the intimacy and relationship to the ocean are core and, like the breath inhales\/exhales, ebbs and flows, the resources of fishing, eco-tourism, flora, and fauna provide what is needed for the people and the planet.<\/p>\n

Yet, with the sea level rising, the increased frequency and scope of storms, ocean acidification, pollution, and climate change are all becoming intensified threats to the thriving natural existence of this paradise found. The region is highly susceptible to climate change\u2014 hit in 2016 with the record-breaking category 5 cyclone Winston, Fiji knows the ramifications of Climate Change. Living with and on the ocean becomes more challenging to the Fijian traditional way of organizing island life, and sustainable development\u00a0becomes a necessity going forward. All these elements together make the Small Island Developing States more vulnerable.<\/p>\n

This vulnerability of the Pacific Island Region is, however, becoming a leadership strength.\u00a0They recognize that economy and ecology go hand in hand, and have prioritized sustainability in their development process that could set an example, and not just for island nations. The islands are fragile and vulnerable, yet because of their size and present state of development, they have the greatest opportunity to demonstrate true and lasting sustainability. The lessons learned from the industrially developed world, choosing to sacrifice living with the intimacy of nature in favor of profit, the Fijian sustainable development model is striving for a better balance.<\/p>\n

\"\"

The Blue Lagoon Yasawa Islands photo \u00a9 World Team Now\/Suzanne Maxx<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

This is a win\/win for ecology and economy considering the future generation\u2019s lives, and in terms of people, biodiversity, and our common home. Even within the rural locations in the developed world, the investment in antiquated infrastructure and a primary fossil-fuel-based electrical grid make the transition to renewable energy more expensive, slower, and harder, keeping the profits in the hands of the privileged and benefiting few.\u00a0Fortunately, in the Small Island States, the policy, and regulatory structures are not now obstacles in the same way.<\/p>\n

Since many small islands have been without water and electricity, it is both economically and ecologically beneficial to start with renewable energy systems. Fiji has embraced the changing times, planning for and allowing Climate Change refugees from neighboring islands in the Pacific Island Region, such as Kiribati, to arrive, and is welcoming them and other island natives to Fiji as their home.<\/p>\n

Eco Resorts and Tourism’s business model seem to create a win-win-win for all\u2014 foreigners get to enjoy nature\u2019s best in a peaceful, rich environment with cultural diversity.\u00a0Natives benefit from the jobs created locally, and the economic and tax benefits for the republic end up building a more sustainable future.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\n

Turtle <\/strong>Island<\/strong><\/a><\/h1>\n

From Nadi, a seaplane will take you to Turtle Island<\/a>, a pioneering romantic honeymoon Eco Resort, developed initially for couples. Many of Turtle Islands Eco-design systems can be seen from the Turtle Airways<\/em> seaplane.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Boarding Turtle Airways Seaplane photo \u00a9 World Team Now\/Suzanne Maxx<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

For small islands that have been without water and electricity, resorts like Turtle Island have found renewable energy systems to be sustainable.<\/p>\n

Turtle Island Resort is one of the leaders in renewable energy systems and living by cradle-to-cradle principles\u2014 much more than a desalination resort, it is a paradise found in sustainability.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0500-acre\u00a0island is kept in line with nature preservation as they move towards their net-zero island goal for renewable energy. The\u00a0solar farm that primarily powered The Turtle Island Resort at the time of my stay was 1.2 megawatts of solar energy with battery storage.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Turtle Island Solar Farm \u00a9 World Team Now\/Suzanne Maxx<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

Upon arrival at Turtle Island, you are carried from the seaplane to the shore by natives serenading with a local song, and it seems the whole island\u2019s population joyously celebrates your arrival like a holiday. The heartwarming welcome, Bula, exclaimed by natives who live and work on the island, brings on a feeling of home in its purest sense because love is present and freely offered and everything is set up for you and your partner\u2019s comfortable\u00a0participation\u00a0in sharing island life.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Nature’s gift organized by Turtle Island, Bure’s entrance Photo \u00a9 World Team Now\/Suzanne Maxx<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

Water is harvested from the natural environment, with both rainwater (catchment) and seawater taking the salt out of the sea (desalination), to make fresh water. The fresh water is collected in a reservoir and stored in water tanks. It is not just the beauty of the famous surrounding Blue Lagoon shores, it is also the way they work with and use water\u2014 beauty from what is put within and all around at this Eco-luxury Resort.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Cradling Turtle Island, The Blue Lagoon Photo \u00a9 World Team Now\/Suzanne Maxx<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

Turtle Island is the brainchild of Richard Evanson, and now his son Richard Evanson Junior (Jr) who continues to expand and implement the vision of this island to preserve the natural habitat and enhance the natural beauty of the island, prioritizing sustainability.\u00a0 They have preserved wildlife by bringing in species and creating the breeding ground for these species to thrive, like, for instance, the colorful wild collection of tropical birds in flocks that include parrots, cockatoos, and parakeets.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Mahogany Tree in Turtle Island’s Legacy Forrest \u00a9 World Team Now\/Suzanne Maxx<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

According to Richard Jr., who continues the family legacy of Turtle Island, \u201cThe Island\u00a0boasts guava, papaya, passion fruit,\u00a0soursop,\u00a0and coconut trees, with more than 900,000 thousand trees planted,\u201d\u00a0since his father Richard Sr. envisioned Turtle Island.<\/p>\n

\"\"

\u00a9 World Team Now\/Suzanne Maxx<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"

Traditional Kava Ceremony\/ Turtle Island Staff Photo \u00a9 World Team Now\/Suzanne Maxx<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

Jr. explained, \u00a0\u201cDad strategically planted 60\u201375 thousand Mahogany trees, not only to preserve the land and prevent devastation by being organic, natural fire-damage prevention, but also to increase the land value\u2026 the trees support ecological biodiversity, prevent soil erosion, create windbreaks, and help the reforestation of indigenous forests.\u201d Their family\u2019s philosophy, explained Richard Jr, is that \u201cDecisions and developments must make financial sense, have environmental integrity, benefit the local people, and celebrate the heritage and culture of a place.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Kava ceremony and native traditional dance and songs augment the heartfelt sharing with staff and island entertainment in the evenings.<\/p>\n