[ANU Pacific.Institute] Fw: Island Innovation newsletter

Amanda Watson amanda.watson at anu.edu.au
Fri May 1 16:44:04 AEST 2020 

The newsletter below may be of interest to Pacific Institute members.

Amanda :)

________________________________
From: Island Innovation <newsletter at islandinnovation.co>
Sent: Thursday, 23 April 2020 6:08 AM
To: Amanda Watson <amanda.watson at anu.edu.au>
Subject: Earth Day, island economies and coronavirus 🏝️

Earth Day is slightly unusual this year, but people are finding ways to connect with each other for the environment.
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Survey: Island Response to COVID-19<https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=f1dab8f2ac&e=ab3a8943e3>

Dear Amanda,

We hope you are staying safe in these strange difficult times, and appreciate your continued support for the Island Innovation<https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=ad7b8a80a8&e=ab3a8943e3> newsletter! If you were forwarded this email or accessed it through a link, don't forget to subscribe here<https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=1e8d140b19&e=ab3a8943e3> and stay up to date on the latest sustainability news from islands and remote regions around the world.

↪ Twitter: Nominate your Earth Day climate champions!<https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=0ccdda8a84&e=ab3a8943e3>

Islands around the world are working hard to keep COVID19 cases down. As many have limited health infrastructure, the impact of this pandemic hits differently from other parts of the world. Samoa’s suspected samples<https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=bc58340d5e&e=ab3a8943e3> have been sent more than 4,000 kilometres away to Australia for testing, many Pacific nations have placed a ban on cruise ships<https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=99b6c2cf2d&e=ab3a8943e3> and others have limited travel from other countries. In the Baltic states, Saaremaa<https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=cb47e3fb1f&e=ab3a8943e3> continues to be the epicenter of the virus. However, beyond the obvious health and social implications, the economic impact of this pandemic is another scary long-term reality that these islands will have to deal with, and it starts with tourism.

The economies of many islands worldwide depend on tourism. Over recent decades, many economies transformed to depend on tourism<https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=a9e590c0e2&e=ab3a8943e3>, and today some are primarily reliant on this single sector. A decrease in the flow of travelers could result in the loss of millions of dollars<https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=65bd172c73&e=ab3a8943e3>, with limited opportunities for other economic sectors to replace them.

↪ Read: Empty hotels. Idled tour buses. The pandemic is devastating tourism<https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=aafef4acd6&e=ab3a8943e3>

For instance, nearly half of the GDP of Fiji, the most visited Pacific island nation<https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=d7c0e72a85&e=ab3a8943e3>, was from tourism last year. In just a day, Saint Lucia<https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=5cbb85511f&e=ab3a8943e3> lost 13,000 jobs—roughly 7% of the total population and 16 percent of the total labor force. In Tonga, tourism is the second-largest source of hard currency<https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=fe80c4f588&e=ab3a8943e3> earnings following remittances, with 62,500 visitors in 2017 – and the pandemic is sweeping this away. Tourism is the main export from Palau (86%), Vanuatu (63%) and Samoa (62%).

What makes things different this time is that of a total shutdown. Though islanders have faced crises in the past, including cyclones, most of these issues were localized and the economic impact was limited<https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=b1b4fa7a5b&e=ab3a8943e3> to either a single country or a small number of countries at a time. After a disaster, tourism could still flourish in other island nations nearby, supply chains still operated, and experts could still be moved from one island to the other to help bring the situation down. However, despite the devastation of Cyclone Harold, Vanuatu is keeping its borders closed in order to keep out the virus - and that includes stopping the entry of foreign aid workers<https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=3c4d94fb25&e=ab3a8943e3>.

Islands may not be able to return to business as usual any time soon. Solutions are needed to move beyond tourism and open up opportunities in other sectors. Can tourism-dependent islands use this pandemic as an opportunity to explore new industries?

↪ Register: Responding to COVID-19 in Jamaica - Free Webinar<https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=4641686b01&e=ab3a8943e3>

What else can islands do to help their economies bounce back? Please let us know of more examples in the members-only Island Innovation Facebook Group<https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=e03b783efe&e=ab3a8943e3> and LinkedIn Group<https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=813ec9faae&e=ab3a8943e3>.

Thank you for reading,
James Ellsmoor

P.S. - Did you enjoy the content so far and want to hear more? Support us by becoming a friend of Island Innovation!

Support Island Innovation<https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=fa4f11435d&e=ab3a8943e3>
All Island Innovation friends are entitled to a series of benefits which we will be expanding in 2020. See the <https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=74f3611d1a&e=ab3a8943e3> Patreon<https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=ee124a18f6&e=ab3a8943e3> page<https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=b59c4d4aec&e=ab3a8943e3> for details.

Thank you to our top tier patrons for their kind support:
Virginia Jones (Martha's Vineyard), Steven Kerr (Tetra Capita Enterprise, Shetland), James Stockan (Orkney Islands Council) and Robert Stewart (Geophysx Jamaica).

To share this newsletter on social media please
visit the Island Innovation Blog<https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=560f800e55&e=ab3a8943e3>.
[https://mcusercontent.com/4cc872159542810735de953d0/images/b445a11a-6ec6-4ec1-a3be-919eed9f5684.png] <https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=400e4abe7d&e=ab3a8943e3>
Join the Island Resilience Forum
The Island Resilience Forum (IRF) brings together island leaders and champions from around the world to not only discuss solutions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), but develop partnerships to achieve those goals. Its purpose is to support communities on the front lines of the climate crisis.
Register<https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=83e2fe3af0&e=ab3a8943e3>
[https://mcusercontent.com/4cc872159542810735de953d0/images/49376896-ba44-46d2-ade9-ec5e19fdc7a9.jpg] <https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=c2ca3ee938&e=ab3a8943e3>
OECS launches business pitch competition
The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission invites interested and eligible entrepreneurs to participate in the inaugural Sustainable Development Movement (SDM) Business Model Competition.
Apply Here<https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=c3e5525813&e=ab3a8943e3>
[https://mcusercontent.com/4cc872159542810735de953d0/images/7ceebc85-e5f7-4b8e-bbe0-91e9c5b38123.png] <https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=acde347287&e=ab3a8943e3>
Survey: How are islands responding to COVID-19?

Island and rural communities will be drastically impacted by COVID-19. With difficulties in providing enough hospital beds, maintaining food supplies and keeping transportation links, islands with also feel the brunt of the economic impact.

Please complete this survey<https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=44518881e4&e=ab3a8943e3> to share information on island responses to COVID-10 that will be useful for other communities in similar situations, and help respond to long-term planning needs. Please feel free to send updates as the situation evolves.

Survey: Island Response to COVID-19<https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=7e8206d5b7&e=ab3a8943e3>
[https://mcusercontent.com/4cc872159542810735de953d0/images/f444a622-9c25-42f2-b359-8a0f045a2302.jpg] <https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=5a154bd465&e=ab3a8943e3>
A tough strategy of isolation has protected Greenland from coronavirus — so far.

Greenland's geography seems to have helped it contain COVID-19. But the country still faces serious challenges from the pandemic.
Read More<https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=9519dedd66&e=ab3a8943e3>.

Niue is now the world's first Dark-Sky Nation
[https://mcusercontent.com/4cc872159542810735de953d0/images/b4cddb01-e79f-49d6-85f8-c57d6cd91581.jpg] <https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=812a2d70f4&e=ab3a8943e3>
There are many 'dark sky places' around the world, where stargazers can catch an unspoiled view of the night sky. Now, for the very first time, the International Dark-Sky Association has declared an entire nation as a dark sky place.

Niue is a small island in the South Pacific Ocean, roughly 15 kilometres wide by 25 kilometres long, and with a population of just over 1,600 people. Its nearest neighbours include Tonga, Fiji, Samoa and Vanuatu
Energy Stories

Interesting stories about energy from the world's islands:

  *   On this Maine Island, residents experiment with renewable energy<https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=897c79bceb&e=ab3a8943e3>.
  *   Clean energy<https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=76f898295a&e=ab3a8943e3> is also resilient energy.
  *   Seychelles to build world’s largest salt-water<https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=d509ab42d9&e=ab3a8943e3> floating solar plant.
  *   New Zealand JV to bring solar storage<https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=d084ad1b07&e=ab3a8943e3> to islands of Tonga.
  *   Puerto Rico pledges to go all-renewable<https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=80d5cc3203&e=ab3a8943e3> by 2050 .
  *   Additional solar generation and battery storage systems<https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=ec16ff2e63&e=ab3a8943e3> are to be designed and delivered to Vava’u and ‘Eua by mid-2021.

[https://mcusercontent.com/4cc872159542810735de953d0/images/f57b29c3-3ac8-44b2-95ea-dd618f61ce1f.jpeg] <https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=a09d3946c8&e=ab3a8943e3>
Remote island community goes online to combat COVID-19 crisis.
A remote island off the coast of B.C is experimenting with online technology to connect community and forge a collective strategy to deal with COVID-19. Read more<https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=27180ffaa7&e=ab3a8943e3>.
Other stories worth sharing

A selection of stories relevant to innovation and sustainable development from around the world:

  *   How the coronavirus is affecting life on Sweden's tourism island Gotland<https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=642ee8a175&e=ab3a8943e3>.
  *   How are we going to live sustainably<https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=df19aa489b&e=ab3a8943e3> as an island community after Covid-19?.
  *   Islamic State claims first attack<https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=60d1cc2661&e=ab3a8943e3> in island nation of Maldives.
  *   Monster cyclone Harold<https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=571696b66f&e=ab3a8943e3> brings injuries in South Pacific island nation of Fiji.
  *   More than 2,000 people have answered the call<https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=d28a05ba95&e=ab3a8943e3> to help their fellow Islanders during the coronavirus crisis.
  *   Quadra Island farmers<https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=5a620981d7&e=ab3a8943e3> want to put goats into backyards as a way to improve food security in the face of COVID-19.
  *   The Block Island community<https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=cc4a3bb4da&e=ab3a8943e3> is coming together during this daunting time to make face masks for residents.

[https://mcusercontent.com/4cc872159542810735de953d0/images/6cf0e9df-ad63-4b67-a2b5-6c213ee28ebe.jpg] <https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=6dfe67f0a9&e=ab3a8943e3>
Portland's island community action group supporting people.

People are coming together in Portland for a huge community response to coronavirus.
Read more<https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=33d650fb39&e=ab3a8943e3>.

[https://mcusercontent.com/4cc872159542810735de953d0/images/9cc3559a-cd68-4330-a8da-bfee6de12224.jpg] <https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=87e4af0174&e=ab3a8943e3>
Caribbean is the first domino to fall, but there is Hope.

COVID-19 is crushing tourism-based, import-dependent economies across the Caribbean. Recovery will be slow—but it can also be revolutionary. Read more<https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=102fe42566&e=ab3a8943e3>.

Thank you to everyone who has read, shared, supported and donated<https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=0df3112a6e&e=ab3a8943e3> to help make this newsletter happen.

Please share this link<https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=a57f2cf049&e=ab3a8943e3> with friends and colleagues and encourage them to subscribe<https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=90bf9ccf81&e=ab3a8943e3>, or click below to make a contribution<https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=3f9ab5331e&e=ab3a8943e3> to the running costs.
Previous newsletters are available here<https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=c84b77c6bc&e=ab3a8943e3>.

Please feel free to contact me<mailto:james at islandinnovation.co>, connect on Linkedin<https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=e36f1aedf0&e=ab3a8943e3>, Twitter<https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=f473c32ab0&e=ab3a8943e3>, Instagram<https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=5f75989c32&e=ab3a8943e3>, or my website<https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=52f1ab8eb6&e=ab3a8943e3>.

Feedback is always welcome!

Click here to become a friend of Island Innovation<https://islandinnovation.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cc872159542810735de953d0&id=6d9a4ebb5e&e=ab3a8943e3>
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Copyright © 2020, All rights reserved.






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