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April 22, 2009
“Earth Day: Oceans of Opportunity” Jakarta, April 22 – Indonesia and the U.S. are environmental superpowers with strong ties to the oceans. Our countries are separated by thousands of miles, but also connected by the vast Pacific Ocean. From Sabang to Merauke, from the oceans to the volcanoes, Indonesia is the most biologically diverse country in the world. Protecting the environment has intrinsic value: protecting fish and coral reefs is the right thing to do. In addition, there are economic, national security, and social concerns and opportunities if we face the reality that we are living on a “planet in peril.” Tens of millions of Indonesians rely on the oceans for their livelihood. Together, we must chart a future for the environment that turns challenges into opportunities. The environment is a critical component of any future Indonesia-U.S. comprehensive partnership. “We have common interests and responsibilities when it comes to climate change … both of us must be a comprehensive partner in the constructive solutions that await,” Secretary Clinton said in Jakarta. Indonesia is demonstrating its regional – and international – leadership by hosting the World Oceans Conference and Coral Triangle Initiative Summit in Manado next month. This work is a natural step after Indonesia’s leadership of the UN climate change talks in Bali in December 2007, which integrated deforestation into the broader climate negotiations. Now, we look to the World Oceans Conference to bring together leaders from around the world to discuss the link between climate change and the oceans. If we protect our oceans, we protect our Earth. The Coral Triangle Initiative Summit highlights the Indonesia-U.S. environmental partnership. Launched by President Yudhoyono in 2007, the Coral Triangle Initiative is the first multilateral partnership of its kind. The Initiative is designed to raise awareness and seek solutions to issues of climate change, marine conservation, and food security. Together, the U.S. and Indonesia are already making significant financial, technical, and political commitments to address climate change. The United States supports the Coral Triangle Initiative with a $40 million, five-year program to improve the management of marine and coastal resources throughout South East Asia. USAID and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are two U.S. partners engaged on this program. They are working with the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries and fostering more partnerships in Indonesia and the region. The U.S. and Indonesia both face huge environmental challenges. The U.S. is addicted to foreign oil and one of the largest greenhouse gas emitters. Floods, rising sea levels, rising land and sea temperatures, diminishing fish populations, and rapid deforestation threaten Indonesia and the region. There are many reasons for concern and action. It is impossible to draw geographic borders around environmental issues. Emissions in one country affect many others; waterways spread pollutants around the world. Working together, we can protect biodiversity, avoid the collapse of global fisheries, and fight climate change globally. These challenges are not one country’s alone. It is all connected. Scientific research and scientists themselves will be critical in this effort. One important area for potential scientific cooperation between our two countries is climate change mitigation and adaptation. Alfred Russell Wallace navigated the waters of Indonesia 150 years ago to make fundamental advances in science. We all must continue this quest for knowledge and support the pursuit of science as a way to find answers to the world’s greatest problems together. Together, we can save our planet in peril. We need the greatest minds – from Indonesia, the U.S., and the world – to find the creative solutions to turn these challenges into opportunities. Cameron R. Hume is United States Ambassador to the Republic of Indonesia.
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