Siobhan Patia: The ocean that connects the islands

Taku kainga - my home

The Pacific Ocean has the most islands compared to other oceans in the world. Aotearoa is one of my island homes in that ocean. The others are mainly Samoa and the Cook Islands, where both my father and mother were respectively born and raised. I tend to forget that Aotearoa (or “New Zealand”) is also an island state. Life on this ‘developed’ island is distinctly different compared to the other ‘developing’ islands in the Pacific Ocean, some of which New Zealand is protectorate of or previously were.

On this notion of protectorates is the concept of territories. Over several of the island states within the Pacific Ocean are territories under the United States of America, France, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. Territories have varying levels of independence from these more powerful sovereign states but what they will all have in common is control of international relations by the more powerful state. Played out at an international level, it can often appear that the ‘big brother’ is looking out for the vulnerable state. Nuances of this is in the New Zealand position statement towards the call for action for this conference. New Zealand aligns itself with the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) statements in relation to the conference however this is highly questionable. New Zealand is a protectorate of two other member states out of seventeen to the PIF. In effect New Zealand has greater political authority in PIF, without even beginning a discussion on the power imbalances that aid adds to the equation. The initial PIF statement is slim. Is this because of the power imbalance between New Zealand and the member states (other than Australia)?

To le sua ocean trench in Samoa

Sustainable development goals framework

The Ocean Conference focuses on sustainable development goal 14 (“SDG 14”) which forms part of the post-2015 development agenda. Attached to the 17 goals in total are also targets which generally are quite subjective and has flexible language. SDG 14 reads,

“Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.”

Compare this to SDG 15 which reads,

“Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.”

On an initial reading, there is much more emphasis on kaitiakitanga or protection for land than there is the ocean. Although sustainable use is mentioned in both SDGs, the use of development occurs only in SDG 14 but not 15. Here-in is where the critique lies; can we actually achieve sustainable development of non-renewable resources? Particularly considering that the earth’s population continues to grow daily? Has the development agenda encroached too far into the realm of sustainability? One of my goals in attending this conference is to understand what political and personal positions our leaders in attendance think.

Main wharf on Mitiaro after maroro (flying fish) season.

International agreement and systemic change

Whether or not the SDG framework, including SDG 14 will bring about desirable change to the already complex-adaptive system that international law will be up for debate come year 2030. The ever-growing body of science describing the rapid deterioration of ocean ecosystems illustrates that there needs to be a wake up call for our politicians and law makers last year. Although the march for science speaks to the highly relative issue of climate change, it can be said that too ought to influence how we legally choose to address the goals and targets for SDG 14 and interdependent goals.

What we need at the end of the day is for our political leaders to genuinely and deeply agree on sustainability and protection of the oceans as a priority; and with that, maybe a serving of alcohol because not everyone will be happy with that decision (disclaimer: I do not promote alcohol as a method of addressing stress or disagreement). The reality is, if we continue focusing on short-term gains, we will only end up with long-term loss.

My goals for this fellowship and conference

Having had the opportunity to experience and volunteer with UN Youth New Zealand and UNMGCY, what you get out of these events is really the effort you put into it. I definitely think the same of this upcoming Ocean conference. One of my goals for this conference is to connect with delegates from the Pacific island nations to find out where I can add value to their position. I also want to meet other indigenous groups and learn about sustainable practices within their cultures. Alongside that, I also want to surround myself with and understand the political nuances between countries which I read and hear about but have not often seen in person. Finally, I want to learn as much as I can about the science, innovation and technologies relative to ocean health.

I have the privilege of having this experience with a close cousin on my mother’s side, Ant Vavia, whom I have grown up with. He is a marine biologist. I am a non-practising-lawyer still trying to figure it out in a completely different sector (but thoroughly enjoying it). He is working directly in this field and I encouraged him to apply for this opportunity. I admire his passion, dedication and hope he helps advance a more sustainable vision for the Pacific ocean. I also chose to apply because I want to help protect the sea that connects my island homes.

Vai Nauri, natural fresh water cave in Mitiaro, one of the fifteen Cook Islands. 

Pacific sea of islands

My parents, for a range of circumstances, did not have the opportunity to pursue higher education. They came to Aotearoa and made this place home to give me that opportunity. Directly, that was to ensure I have a better life. Indirectly, I like to think that was to help define what a better life actually means for me, for them and navigating how we do culture moving forward. 

Growing up, it was very important to both my parents that I spent time on all these islands getting to know the family, the culture and the historical places. This constant travel between islands has forged my transnational identity. I care about Aotearoa and I care about both Samoa and the Cook Islands. I want to help protect what connects these homes for my parents, community, and the life that inhabits below our sea of islands (Ha’uofa, 1994). As they have taught me growing up, we are people of the sea. 

Samoan proverb
E lē falala fua le niu, 'ae falala ona o le matagi.
The coconut tree doesn't sway on its own, but is swayed by the wind. 
Meaning: all things are connected, beyond human interaction; for every action there is a cause and an effect. 

All posts by Institute delegates reflect their own thoughts, opinions and experiences, and do not reflect those of the Institute.

Paddling on the waka in the Manukau Harbour, Tamaki Makaurau, Aotearoa. 

Katie Kyung - Will the ‘Call for Action’ really call for action?

The Oceans Conference 2017 will be producing a document called the ‘Call for Action.’ It is to be adopted by consensus at the Conference. The document aims to be concise, focused, and action-oriented. Its purpose is not to renegotiate the Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) nor is it an opportunity to revisit or renegotiate any existing instruments. The most critical nature of this document is that it will not be legally binding. Its soft law status is also very questionable as the consensus document is likely to be very vague.

How are we actually going to achieve action to target SDG 14 through words such as ‘significantly reduce,’ ‘sustainably manage,’ and ‘effectively regulate’?

The advantages of soft law, as was explained by Vernon Rive, lecturer on International Environmental Law at AUT, are that they are easier to negotiate as the stakes are not as high, they can be used to overcome domestic, constitutional or political barriers, and allow non-State actors to participate and potentially be bound.

The ‘Call for Action’ does not get as specific as the SDG targets themselves. As mentioned above, this document is not to renegotiate SDG 14 but to find out how to get more countries on board with the process and to publicise it for the non-State actors.

In order for the ambiguous words above to have a real effect and really stand as a call for action, we would need to have assurance on State capacity for effective application of the document at domestic levels. Administrative and political capacities are necessary to govern and ensure that policy instruments work. It is at this level that a State is aware of the material and cognitive resources of domestic regulators who / which will drive the knowledge and expertise of non-State actors and wholly support the purpose of the document.

A document like the Call for Action, which congregates the harmonized view of many nations, is most appropriate to remain as soft law. I am of the view that there is a purpose behind the use of soft law, a purpose that has allowed for such law to be predominant in international law. The ‘Call for Action’ may be implemented to its fullest potential as long as States are ready and prepared to encompass it within the States. This is what I sincerely hope to be achieved and what all States should strive to achieve.

It is time that States stop delaying their actions to protect our ocean through the use of ambiguous words. Instead, the flexible and malleable nature of these words should be taken as a useful tool in adapting the document to each nation for action to be taken as a collective group.

US District Court 

Aimee Clark: 5am Contemplations on the Future of the Planet

I can remember the first time I went snorkelling. I was seven years old and the idea of being so close to marine animals was very exciting to me. However, I hadn’t realised how much this experience would affect me and change my life as the diversity that I was immersed in made me realise how passionate I was about protecting it. This beautiful, vibrant ecosystem that stretched out for miles to the outer reef seemed so stable and thriving.

This is not the case anymore. We tend to look at the oceans as this force, an enormous expanse of water where the world beneath the waves is alien and at times incredibly hostile. For many people across the world, the ocean divides them, it gives them resources that are so far removed from the origins they came from that some people don’t even know where the resources were sourced.

But really we often forget that the oceans and the ecosystems that make up the world’s oceans are so fragile and so many anthropogenic and climatic factors can detrimentally effect the oceans and the species that call it home.

I have always wanted to work in conservation, not that I really knew what that entailed for many years, I just knew that I cared and I couldn’t understand why other people did not when it was obvious that the environment needed urgent help and attention. I always loved wildlife and being outside, and this love was fostered in the relationships I had with members of my family who encouraged my passion from a young age.

I believe that science today and being involved with any aspect of marine, biological or environmental science should be a multidisciplinary practice. We need scientists that can communicate with business, politicians and the general public. Scientists should know about and be able to work with the complex relationships between research, policy, action and results because this is the only way to instigate true change. That is why I am so excited to attend The Ocean’s Conference as it has the potential to encompass all of civil society working with international bodies like the UN to hopefully bring about some change, whether that be in action or in changing and developing perspectives that could cause change down the line. I hope that as a future scientist I am able to take away an understanding of how change happens and is discussed at a high level event and I am forever grateful to AYLI for giving me this amazing opportunity. This is certainly not something I was expecting to be involved in in my first year of university!

I am sitting here in my room with the stuff that needs to go in my bag strewn across the floor, I am leaving tomorrow and I have so much to do! But it doesn’t matter that I have so much work to catch up on, or that I have barely had a full night’s sleep all week, because this opportunity and the topics and outcomes of the conference itself are so much bigger than me. Educating and empowering young people is the only way to ensure change created now is lasting into the future, and the experiences I am going to have with my incredible delegation will surely empower us to drive the change needed to have a positive impact.

Bring on New York!

Aimee

All thoughts by Institute delegates reflect their own thoughts, opinions and experiences