Voluntary Payment For Carbon Emission by the PNG Office of Climate Change and Environment Sustainability (OCC&ES).

Report from the PNG National Newspaper (23rd April,2009)

Climate Change Staff Pay Fees

THE Office of Climate Change and Environment Sustainability (OCC&ES) has taken the lead in voluntarily paying for carbon emissions.
Staff members from the office starting from executive director Dr Theo Yasause have paid their carbon offsets of K12,000 yesterday towards assisting in the resettlement of Carteret Islanders who have been affected by global warming.
The next payment, due next month, will be for mangrove planting along the Motuan coast.
Dr Yasause said the office was also looking at using low fuel products on all its vehicles to help reduce emissions and increase efficiency.
He said an NEC submission was being prepared for Cabinet to seek a policy direction for Government ministers, MPs, departmental heads and others to start paying for the carbon footprints.
The pay scale structure will apply.
Under this proposal, our current carbon emissions of two million metric tonnes annually will be offset by undertaking reforestation and afforestation projects as well as support climate impact projects across the country, thereby making PNG carbon neutral by next year.
Dr Yasause said this when presenting certificates to more than 50 officers who completed their three-day induction course at the PNGIPA and a new life for most as public servants.
He said intense interest had been raised among policy makers around the world on the evolving long-term international framework to promote the transition to low-carbon economies needed to address global and national climate change impacts.
“If current trends continue, the country’s and the region’s greenhouse emissions whether from energy production, transportation, deforestation, or other sources, will be comparable to those of Europe and North America.
“We must find and adopt new patterns of urban development, energy production and consumption, land use, and waste management, or else it will find itself increasingly contributing to the global climate change problem and broader resources degradation – with negative consequences for our people and the planet as a whole.
“We all have a shared responsibility, and must act responsibly.
“Action is needed both to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and to identify and act upon the highest priorities for integrating climate adaptation measures into planning and investment at the project, district, regional, national and global levels,” Dr Yasause said.

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For a country like PNG, this is certainly a very bold move . Dr Yasause and his staff should be commended. I only hope this move will be supported by the Papua New Guinea Government. [John B Nirenga (April, 2009)]

King Tides in Papua New Guinea

Recently this month many eastern facing coastal low lying areas of Papua New Guinea had experienced some form of flooding and inundation by the sea as surges of higher spring tides affected these areas. Whilst the media reported them as King tides many may probably wonder what actually causes such tides. I have provide a link here where most of these questions can be answered. Below is a report from the Papua New Guinea PostCourier today.
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King tides expected to hit PNG shores

By Simon Eroro

SPRING tides or king tides are expected to occur throughout the country towards the end of this month and early next month.
The Director of the National Disaster Centre (NDS) Martin Mose said according to the National Weather Service’s (NDS) warning issued yesterday, the spring tides are expected to occur throughout Papua New Guinea’s coastal waters.
Mr Mose said this is expected to occur from January 7 to 14 and urged communities along the coastal areas to take extra precautions during this period.
He said the people living along the coastlines should identify and high er ground and safest routes to the higher grounds when the high tides are experienced.
“Make it a habit to listen to radio or watch the television for any warnings that may be issued by authorities such as the NDS Office,” Mr Mose said.
He said if the warning is issued, people must move inland or to higher grounds immediately, adding young men and women must have the courage to help children, older people and the disabled to move with them.
He also warned people to stay away from beaches until authorities had declared them safe.
Mr Mose said learning from all the disasters that occur, people must take with them an emergency kit which should include spare clothes, canned or fried food, water, water containers, candles, a torch with spare batteries, matches or lighter and a lamp with kerosene.
“Although the authorities will continue to discharge current updates on the spring tides and king tides occurrence, communities must also take up the responsibility to confirm before taking the necessary steps to evacuate to safer areas,” Mr Mose said.

Sinking Atolls On Agenda

SINKING Carterets Island and the political situation on Bougainville will be among the highlights of a series of topics to be discussed during the ACP/EU meeting this week by the Government.

It will be part of the Climate Change discussion and the impact on small island nations which will take the lead on Thursday when regional experts take to the floor.Trade and RD Tuna processing and health, malaria and TB and HIV/AIDS in PNG will also be discussed.

Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare, who is currently in Peru, Lima in his welcome speech to the members and leaders of the ACP/EU counterparts in the country said that the success of the political situation on Bougainville would be highlighted to the members at the meeting.

“As you arrive on our shores, I have good news for you all,” he said.
“During the 2006 ACP Council meeting and 31st Session ACP-EU Council of Ministers hosted in Port Moresby, the people of Bougainville and Papua New Guinea suffered a civil unrest for almost a decade,” Sir Michael said.
“Many countries and organisations in the region including ACP and EU offered assistance for the rehabilitation and restoration of services on the island province.

“Today we are witnessing the fruits of this work and an autonomous government is in place on Bougainville,” he said.
Details of this success will be outlined at the political seminar on Thursday at the Holiday Inn.

Acting Prime Minister Dr Puka Temu will be expected to address the formal opening ceremony of the joint ACP/EU meeting with a major plenary session today followed by dinner hosted by Dr Temu at the State function Hall at Parliament tonight.

Source: Postcourier 25-11-2008)

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Checkout my earlier posting on the Carterets Island below.

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Good Luck to PNG Kumuls in the Rugby League World Cup

I wish Adrian Lam (Coach) and the Telikom PNG Kumuls the best of luck when they take on the New Zealand Kiwis in Gold Coast, Queensland Australia this Saturday. PNG Kumuls have in the past beaten the Kiwis and they can do it again!

Photo source: The National (31-10-2008)

Time to celebrate ... Kumuls Neville Costigan, Jason Chan and Paul Aiton celebrating Chan’s try last weekend. They and their teammates’ performance tomorrow against the Kiwis will have a major bearing on their future in the game. – AAPpic

Hero’s welcome for Francis Kompaon in Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea

Torchbearer Francis Kompaon displays the torch during the Beijing 2008 Paralympic torch relay in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 6, 2008.

(Photo credit: Xinhua)

Francis Kompaon (centre) at a rousing welcome in Goroka.
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Hero’s welcome

By ZACHERY PER
PARALYMPIC silver medallist Francis Kompaon was treated to a rousing hero’s home coming in Goroka yesterday after he touched down at the Goroka airport.
Staff of the National Sports Institute (NSI) and the University of Goroka (UOG) where Kompaon is a second year pre-service student, turned up at the airport in large numbers to receive him and his coach Peter Aglua.
Staff and students of UOG arranged a motorcade and took Kompaon and Aglua around the main streets of Goroka town before going to the campus.
At the campus, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) Dr James Yoko told Kompaon that he had set a milestone for Papua New Guinea to better his achievement at the Olympic level.
“UoG is happy you made us proud by being the first to receive an Olympic silver medal,” Dr Yoko said.
He said the university would organise a formal gathering to comprise interested stakeholders to recognise the achievement of the disable athlete.
In a brief welcome luncheon at NSI, acting director Kaylie Martins said for Kompaon to train on grass track and go on to win silver on synthetic tracks was a milestone achievement.
She said it was the dividend for the dedication of coach Aglua, his support staff and Kompaon himself.
“Everyone was involved in one way or another towards getting Kompaon to achieve this milestone.
“He had been running on the grass track and to win a medal on synthetic track sends a message that despite of disabilities, dedication and commitments can pay off,” Martins said.
Kompaon said he was overjoyed when he finally knew that he had won a medal for his country.
He said whether he won gold, silver or bronze, it would not have mattered but he was overwhelmed because at least he won an Olympic medal for PNG.
“I already knew that I would win a medal because others were way behind the Australian (Heath Francis) and me.
“He was in lane seven and I was in lane three when we got to the finish. I celebrated wildly and that confused the Australian who thought I won gold,” he said.
He said he was the first person in the Pacific to win a silver medal at the Olympic level and described it as a great feeling.
His coach Aglua said Team PNG went as unknowns but were recognised after winning a medal in the T46 class 100m sprint and raising the PNG flag at the Bird’s Nest Stadium in Beijing.
“The win was not only for PNG but also for three-quarters of the black African nations, who did not win any medals at all at the Paralympic Games,” Aglua said.
Celebrations in Goroka are likely to continue for sometime this week before Kompaon is taken to his home province in East New Britain, where a bumper provincial celebration to be hosted by the ENB provincial government is planned.

Source: The National Newspaper [23rd September 2008]

Sea-Level Rise In Papua New Guinea - The Carteret Islands

In one of my previous posting I highlighted the problem of sea-level rise in Papua New Guinea. The video below shows the impact of sea-level rise on the Carteret Islands of the Bougainville Province of Papua New Guinea.

[Video Source: Journeyman Pictures ]

Papua New Guinea (PNG) Olympics Dream 2008 and Beyond

[ Photo: Ryan Pini leading the PNG Team in Beijing 2008 Olympics. Photo Source: The National Newspaper]

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Papua New Guinean athletes currently in Beijing for the 2008 Olympic games deserves some kind of official recognition from the government of Papua New Guinea whether they win any medals or not. Without doubt the few Papua New Guinean athletes in Beijing have done their best by giving their time, talents and effort to make it to the Olympics representing the country they love. It will be shameful if the country they are representing has not invested and given them the best available opportunities to complete at the highest possible level internationally. What saddens me and probably a number of other Papua New Guineans too, is that, Papua New Guinea as a country has not made any serious impact on the Olympic scene. Since 1974 when the PNG Sport Federation (PNGSF) became affiliated to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Papua New Guinea had its first Olympic game exposure and opportunity in 1976 in Montreal, Canada. Up until recently, through the work of the PNGSF, many Papua New Guinean sportsmen and women have had the opportunity to compete internationally with some success especially in the Commonwealth and the South Pacific games but, what Papua New Guinea needs now is to focus in making some kind of breakthrough in the Olympic games in 2012 and beyond.

Interestingly, one only needs foresight to realise the immense opportunities that exists to improve Papua New Guinea's tourism potential and its international image abroad. Papua New Guinea as a country needs to improve its image abroad and sports can play a significant role in that endeavour. When many Papua New Guineans are given the opportunity to train and compete abroad, it can only work for the good of the country. When we begin to see Papua New Guineans making the necessary breakthroughs around the world in sports, it can only bring more positive media coverage of Papua New Guinea as a country.

As one look beyond the Beijing 2008 Olympic games, one can only hope that the government of Papua New Guinea and the PNGSF, as partners in nation building, will seriously evaluate the funding, management and development of sports in Papua New Guinea in a more pragmatic, determined and proactive manner with the view of promoting sports within the country and abroad. It is through evaluation that mistakes of the past can be rectified for the collective benefit of the future. I am predicting that one day, Papua New Guineans will say that Olympic golds are no longer dreams but realities.....for now, good luck to Ryan Pini and the Papua New Guinea athletes in Beijing for the Beijing 2008 Olympic games.