Blog | William Kadi (Chevening Scholar 2022/2023, University of Aberdeen, UK)
As the world population grows, resource availability becomes stretched. Innovation kicks in with the urge of exploring alternative means to sustain the ever-growing demands weighed against the scary rate of limited supply in terms of natural resources. This is the reality for decision makers.
The demand for and availability of natural resources lies at the background of key decision making in every level of governance. It will continue to be the single determining factor powerful enough to create conflicts or peacefully restructure the balance of power, if humanity manages to evolve beyond its ego.
Behind all the decisions and actions, it is suggested that these factors hold paramount consideration for decision making: (1) resource availability, (2) population growth, (3) resource distribution, and (4) economic growth.
For small countries like Solomon Islands, the vast majority of its geography is covered in ocean. All that lies beneath the ocean, including the fish that transits and resides in these tropical waters, hold paramount concern for the future of its people and economy. The concerns also include the ongoing threat of coastal erosion and growing population in the tiny islands as they face numerous challenges that came with globalization and the pressure against a dying or surviving way of life – whichever way you see it. The threats to resource use, distribution, and management remains a challenge.
A 2014 report by the World Economic Forum forecasts a 20-year time frame on resource availability through the different dominant paradigms that stakeholders use in discussing or assessing natural resources. The forecast highlighted that there would still be enough global stock of natural resources, however, resource distribution is threatened. We are witnessing it in the present day.
A more recent report, 2023 global risk report by the World Economic Forum clearly stressed that new health threats to food security and climate mitigation are emerging (and inevitable) crises. The conclusion of the forecast is that; the burdens on natural ecosystems will grow given their still undervalued role in the global economy and overall planetary health. It simply means natural resource consumption will accelerate ecosystem collapse.
There is an endless library of academic discussion and assumptions on resource availability and sustainable resource use, however, the underlying simple logic is: natural resources demand is high, and supply is unfortunately limited. Resources management is crucial to ensure equitable use and distribution of natural resources.
The protected areas framework in Solomon Islands is an effective method of natural resource management directly involving communities, with a broader consideration of the interdependent ecosystems. It demands robust strategic long-term planning and priority in all levels of policy and governance. Coupled with the pressure of changing maritime boundaries and coastal erosion, a specific focus on marine protected areas is imminent.
Until maximized tangible benefits from resource use and exploitation are seen to be in the favour of the people and the national economy, the protected areas framework could function as a quality control approach for managing natural resources as competition continues. Giving back adequate control and management of natural resources to the people and communities have its own set of unique challenges and that is where effective strategies are developed to ensure sound collaboration with private sector and government stakeholders.
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