International Law: Advocacy Letter for SPREP on Pacific Environment

This advocacy letter, penned by International Law students, expresses concerns regarding the insufficient environmental protection and sustainable development initiatives in South Pacific nations, particularly the Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Kingdom of Tonga, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Solomon Islands. Addressed to the Director General of SPREP, the letter highlights issues such as limited opportunities for local youth, rising illiteracy, an unskilled labor sector, declining tourism, outdated livelihood methods, improper land use, and underutilization of renewable resources. It recommends creating environmental awareness, providing education and training, fostering international opportunities, strengthening labor laws, supporting the tourism industry, modernizing skills and equipment, promoting proper land use, encouraging renewable resource use, and conserving marine life. The letter urges SPREP to consider these recommendations and offers assistance in achieving a more robust ecological balance, emphasizing the urgent need for action to preserve the ecosystem.

Advocacy Letter
Title
Assignment Name:
Student Name:
Course Name and Number:
Professor:
Date:
1

Advocacy Letter
Table of Contents
ADVOCACY LETTER.....................................................................................................................3
REFERENCES...............................................................................................................................5
2

Advocacy Letter
ADVOCACY LETTER
From
Students, International Law
Pacific Island Countries
Date: 25.09.2018
To
Director General
Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP)
Government of Samoa
Dear Sirs
We, the students of International Law, would like to bring to your attention our concerns
regarding the need for introducing more programs and policies for the protection of the
environment and sustainable development of the regions of South Pacific Nations.
We understand that SPREP, which is an autonomous inter-governmental organization, has
been working towards protection and sustainable development of environment of the Pacific
islands since the year 19921. We appreciate the existing policies and systems which have
been put in effect with the tremendous efforts done by this esteemed organization. From the
Annual Reports of SPREP and other publications available on your website, we understand
the various programs which you have commenced in this region and are happy with the
success stories. We applaud your efforts from bringing global attention to the issues of this
region. However, we would like to submit to you that not all the policies started for the
Southern countries have led to the desired results on the grass root level. Few of these are still
ineffective for Pacific Islanders, who are dependent on the available natural resources for
their subsistence.
We would like to put forth that there are still a lot of areas which have not been covered by
your organization, specifically for the southern nations of the Pacific Region including the
Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Kingdom of Tonga, Republic of the Marshall
Islands and the Solomon Islands. In addition to the lack of development owing to the
territorial limitations, we would also like to highlight other key aspects which need your
attention.
Our concern arises from the fact that within few years when it is our time to enjoy the natural
resources and the ecosystem of this land, we will not be able to take pleasure in this same
since due to the constant threats and pressure on the environment, it will decay on a faster
rate. We are your next generation and demand from you that our natural environment and
heritage be preserved for benefits of all of us.
We wish to draw your attention to the following significant matters:
Firstly, lack of opportunities for the local youth for earning their livelihood from modern
means, which do not involve dependence on the Pacific ecosystem.
1 "Convention For The Protection Of The Natural Resources And The Environment Of The South Pacific Region;"
(1987) 2(4) International Journal of Estuarine and Coastal Law.
3

Advocacy Letter
It is note-worthy that till date, the principal source of earning is based on the traditional
methods, which is dependent on the available natural resources. The youth population of this
area is increasing. It is striking that more than 45% of the total population is aged between 15
years to 24 years. With the increase in numbers, their requirements are also skyrocketing.
However, there is no equal increase in opportunity to work. In fact, with the amplified
reliance on the environment, its degradation has also intensified. It is affecting the marine
ecosystem at an alarming rate, which has resulted in dwindling numbers of aquatic
organisms, especially sharks and whales. Though the Islanders have been lucky to have an
abundance of natural resources but due to their misuse, the same are depleting on a daily
basis. If no action is taken soon, then the damage may seem to be irreversible at all levels2.
Secondly, it is true that the youth population in this region is expanding. In addition to it, the
illiteracy rate has also increased. The uneducated and unemployed youth is the reality of the
day. Due to lack of available resources, they are forced to follow the traditions of previous
generations and heavily depend on the environment for their livelihood.
Had enough training for other possible opportunities provided to the youth, they could have
become a reason for the growth of this region and not the other way round.
Thirdly, the labor sector is highly unskilled and unorganized. There are no effective policies
and programs in place to take care of the gap between the skill set of labor and available
opportunities. There are no government or semi-government bodies to regulate their
employment as well as income, which results in the disparity of wages earned and other labor
related issues, which causes dissatisfaction in this sector. Consequently, people are forced to
step back and lead the ecosystem dependent livelihood instead of other means of earnings3.
Fourthly, these regions receive a good number of tourists and dwell on the tourism industry
for growth. However, in recent years, some decline in these numbers have been reported,
which will impact the tourism industry. We have observed that there are no policies in place
to increase tourism or sustain the increased tourism. Currently, there is a lack of infrastructure
as well as the skilled human resource.
Fifthly, the traditional methods of livelihood need to be modernized. Eg. Fisheries, coral
reefs and other marine resources. The people are still following the age-old methods, and are
not even aware or trained to handle new equipment and ways to increase their yield with
minimum resources. The only effect is corrosion of coral reef and depletion of marine life.
Sixthly, since this region comprises mainly of islands, which are not even well-connected,
there is no proper land use. There is still a possibility to use large amounts of barren land for
farming or plantation. However, the lack of resources and infrastructure combined with
improper use of available land has led to the non-judicious use of reserves.
Seventhly, there are abundant renewable as well as non-renewable resources present in this
region. But there is no emphasis on the usage of sustainable renewable resources. This should
not only be encouraged but also mandated in every possible area. Say, solar energy – efforts
should be made to use the same in all possible manner, and penalties to the effect should be
levied if the solar energy has not been put to efficient use4.
2 LeRoy Paddock, Compliance And Enforcement In Environmental Law (Edward Elgar, 2011)
3 Pepe Clarke, Ilona Millar and Kaspar Sollberger [2008] South Pacific Regional Environmental Law Capacity
Building Project. Scoping Report.
4 Matt McIntyre and Sherry Heileman, Pacific Environment Outlook (United Nations Environment Programme,
2005).
4

Advocacy Letter
Eighthly, though we understand that you are trying to improve cleanliness and conservation
of oceans and marine life, the effects of policies are not much visible. There is need to deploy
more resources towards conservation of both marine lives as well as oceans. The increased
tourism, use of plastic, industrial pollution, etc. have all caused oceans to become full of junk
and have greatly hampered the marine life.
We would like to recommend a few plausible solutions, which include but are not limited to:
a) Creating awareness about the importance of Environment
Since this region always has had abundant natural resources, the people never thought
that they could deplete in numbers and they did not understand the need for
conserving the natural resources. It is urgent that not just policies are created but
awareness programs are run among the non-city dwellers and those who are still
following the traditional means of livelihood dependent on the ecosystem.
b) Education and Training
The youth population does not have any professional skills or other proficiencies
which can help them to earn a good livelihood. Even if they have a basic education,
the available opportunities do not match their skill set. It is required that such
education (say, vocational courses) are provided to the youth and especially to women
so that they can look beyond the environmental means to earn their daily income.
c) International opportunities
With the lack of opportunities in domestic markets, the youth should be encouraged
and equipped with relevant skills to move to international markets and be able to lead
a decent life. This would also help in influx of money in these Southern territories.
International agreements for the same should be considered. (Tsamenyi, 1991)
d) Stronger and stricter Labor laws
The Labor sector should be regulated by robust rules and regulations. The issues of
minimum wages, gender disparity, social security, trade unions, occupational safety
and health etc. should be tackled on an urgent basis.
e) Support tourism industry
Appropriate policies and procedures are required for supporting and managing the
tourism industry. The islands also need good infrastructure in the form of hotels,
skilled staff to manage these hotels and to take care of requirements of the tourists.
The present training given to hotel staff are outdated and are no match for the experts.
f) Modernize the applicable skills and equipment
Lack of modern training as well as equipment are key cause of further shrinking of
the available resources. There should be policies and procedures to upgrade the skills
of people and make them aware of latest technologies.
g) Proper land use
The infrastructure should be developed to increase the inter-connectivity of islands.
The emphasis should be laid on using the available land to better use by cultivating
those crops which can provide better yield in the markets. This would not only
increase the employment in the infrastructure and agricultural sectors but also help in
suitable use of available land5.
h) Encourage use of renewable resources
There should be policies and framework to encourage and emphasis the use of
renewable resources. E.g. use of solar panels should be mandated in hotels and
5 Terri Mottershead, Environmental Law And Enforcement In The Asia-Pacific Rim (Sweet & Maxwell Asia,
2002).
5

Advocacy Letter
corporates. This would greatly help in increasing the potential of use of solar panels
and enhance its market also.
i) Conserve marine life and oceans
Oceans are our foundation. We cannot survive without them. With our
encroachments, we have altered and effected the marine life along with the coral reef
present in the Pacific region. We need robust policies and framework which link the
conservation plan to milestones. This will help in achieving the target within a fixed
time frame and in case of any non-compliances, the red flag can be raised easily6.
We request you to consider our recommendations and address our concerns on an urgent
basis. The time is running out. We as human race have already caused immense damage to
the ecosystem. Now is the time to stand together and hold our hands to work towards
conservation, protection and preservation of the ecosystem which we may further loose if no
stronger steps are taken in this direction.
We would be happy to assist you in working towards achieving these recommendations. We
look towards receiving positive feedback on the proposals offered by this group.
Thanking you for your time and hoping to witness the beginning of a new robust framework
for ecological balance.
Sincerely,
Students
International Law
6 Dr B. Martin Tsamenyi, "Regional Co-Operation In International Environmental Law In The South Pacific
Region" (1991) 7(0) QUT Law Review.
6

Advocacy Letter
REFERENCES
Clarke, Pepe, Ilona Millar and Kaspar Sollberger [2008] South Pacific Regional
Environmental Law Capacity Building Project. Scoping Report.
"Convention For The Protection Of The Natural Resources And The Environment Of The
South Pacific Region;" (1987) 2(4) International Journal of Estuarine and Coastal Law
McIntyre, Matt and Sherry Heileman, Pacific Environment Outlook (United Nations
Environment Programme, 2005)
Mottershead, Terri, Environmental Law And Enforcement In The Asia-Pacific Rim (Sweet &
Maxwell Asia, 2002)
Paddock, LeRoy, Compliance And Enforcement In Environmental Law (Edward Elgar,
2011)
Tsamenyi, Dr B. Martin, "Regional Co-Operation In International Environmental Law In The
South Pacific Region" (1991) 7(0) QUT Law Review
Vidas, Davor, Law, Technology And Science For Oceans In Globalisation (Martinus Nijhoff,
2010)
7