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In September 2000, the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) issued a call for proposals to undertake ‘sub-global’ assessments at local, national, and regional scales. The Call for Proposals was circulated amongst a group of social scientists who had previously had some connection to PNG’s Biodiversity Conservation and Resource Management Program – an initiative which had been funded by the Global Environment Facility from 1993 to 1998. This program had sought to evaluate the actual and potential effectiveness of ‘integrated conservation and development projects’ in forested areas of PNG where high biodiversity values are associated with low population densities. One of the key lessons of the program had been that local communities in these areas are far more interested in ‘development’ than in ‘conservation’, because they can reasonably say that they have been conserving their ecosystems for thousands of years, but are now lagging in their access to modern health and education services because of their small and scattered populations (McCallum and Sekhran 1997; van Helden 1998, 2001; Filer 2004b). If the Government cannot afford to provide these services to remote and thinly populated areas, then local people tend to dream of the day when a logging company or mining company will deliver them from their state of backwardness.

This audio programme highlights a downstream of processing of logs in PNG, the Minister for Forest promotes a concept of timber supply areas, which points to 25 major forest concessions controlled by one company who would guarantee a certain amount of timber resource. This timber would be used to feed factories for manily ply woods and vinyl wood based in these areas. Processes are placed in the PNG systems for purchasing and exporting timber supplies.

This audio programme presents a debate on plantation forestry in New Zealand, focusing on the environmental and economic implications of commercial forest development. It examines the expansion of plantation forests—primarily monocultures such as radiata pine—and their role in replacing native forests and supporting the timber industry. The discussion highlights concerns about biodiversity loss, ecosystem simplification, and land-use change associated with large-scale plantations, as well as arguments promoting plantations as a sustainable alternative to logging native forests. Broader issues include the balance between economic growth and environmental protection, and the evolving role of policy and public perception in shaping forestry practices.

This audio programme explores efforts in the Pacific region to reduce the environmental impacts of logging through improved forest management practices and capacity-building workshops. It highlights strategies aimed at mitigating deforestation effects, protecting biodiversity, and maintaining ecosystem services in tropical forest environments. The programme also addresses emerging concerns related to climate change, particularly the monitoring of sea-level rise and its implications for island ecosystems and communities. Emphasis is placed on integrating scientific monitoring, policy development, and local capacity to strengthen environmental governance and resilience. Logging and land-use change are identified as key pressures on Pacific ecosystems, contributing to degradation, sedimentation, and biodiversity loss, while climate change and sea-level rise add further stress to already vulnerable systems.

The wondering Albatross is the world's largest seabird. Tens of thousands of seabirds are dying each year on the high seas. Similar to sea turtles they die on the hooks of long line of fisheries. Scientists are now trying to establish the impact on the population and using the satellites to track the flight patterns of the wondering albatross seabird. At least 44 thousands Albatross are killed each year in the southern hemisphere by long line fishing fleets. The long line fishing fleets operates in the southern ocean just the north of Antarctica, and the south Pacific and south Indian oceans.

The amendment was to give the logging industry control by stacking it with number of over forest project, and not to address the revenue issues which is the issue of the landowner.

A voluntary group, roaming the international waters to document, investigate and enforce international environmental law by stopping ship in illegal fishing and whaling. Forestry and timber operation in PNG using helicopter to monitor the forest and logging operation by timber companies.

The South Pacific Forum Secretariat has an energy section which work on wide range of projects relating to fuel and energy. These project include working with electric utility to provide electric services on solar power to remote areas and are also developing energy database for the region. Logging on Papua New Guinea, from Asian companies and shipping them to Japan, having an endless hunger for tropical logging, and PNG have fallen victim to this. And in just 3 years exports have tripled.

A regional workshop was organized in Suva, Fiji, aimed at bolstering environmental journalism among media professionals from nine Pacific Island nations. Hosted by prominent environmental organizations, including the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), the event aimed to strengthen reporters’ ability to cover complex environmental issues, with an initial focus on climate change The Pacific is acutely vulnerable to environmental threats such as intensifying cyclones, sea-level rise, and coastal flooding, yet regional media remain under-equipped to report these dangers effectively. Better-informed journalism is seen as essential to influence policy, raise community awareness, and support climate adaptation strategies . The curriculum encompassed: Simplifying scientific and technical environmental information for broader audiences, Investigating and sourcing credible data, Crafting impactful narratives for print, radio, digital, and broadcast formats, Networking with climate and environmental experts to deepen reporting quality . Outcomes & Goals Journalists left the training inspired and better prepared, equipped with tools to translate complex climate issues into compelling public stories. The workshop aimed to foster a durable network of informed environmental correspondents across the Pacific, strengthening regional media collaboration and coverage.

1. Overview & Concerns A regional report titled “Poisoned Paradise” examines the environmental consequences of pesticide use across South Pacific islands, highlighting the ecological risks of toxic chemicals in agriculture and disease control . 2. Tonga – Tongan Megapode (“Malau”) The report raises concerns about pesticide exposure in Tonga’s fragile ecosystems, including impacts on unique species like the endangered Tongan megapode (Megapodius pritchardii). While direct studies are limited, ongoing threats include habitat degradation and potential chemical contamination in breeding grounds—often geothermal nests on volcanic soils. 3. Rarotonga – Indigenous Fly Species In Rarotonga (Cook Islands), pesticide usage to control agricultural pests and disease vectors (e.g., fruit flies, mosquitoes) threatens endemic insect populations, disrupting local food webs and ecological balance. Residues may accumulate in soils, water, and non-target wildlife—posing risks to biodiversity and human communities. 4. Broader Regional Themes The report indicates South Pacific nations increasingly rely on pesticides without sufficient regulation, labelling, monitoring, or disposal systems, leading to misuse and environmental contamination Over half of these countries report negative impacts from toxic chemicals in agriculture and public health initiatives, raising the need for stronger governance on chemical management. 5. Recommendations & Path Forward Strengthen regulatory frameworks: Licensing, proper labelling, safe use protocols. Build local capacity: Training for farmers, pest control operatives, and environmental officers. Promote integrated pest management and safer alternatives like biological controls. Enhance monitoring and waste disposal infrastructure to prevent environmental build-up. Foster regional cooperation to share research, best practices, and regulatory support.