Use greener fuels for a greener PNG

THE dilemma faced by Woodlark islanders highlights several important issues worthy of deliberation and discussion.
Foremost are fossil fuels and their effect on the climate. Fossil fuel use is one of the main causes of climate change.
One may ask how this can be. It is simple.
As people use petroleum and its byproducts to power engines, cars, machines, etc; the resulting by-products – carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), etc – are released into the atmosphere.
Carbon is released into the atmosphere where natural processes assimilate carbon dioxide and turn this into breathable oxygen.
Estimates show that global consumption of fossil fuels produce 6.3 billion metric tons of CO2 per year, however, natural processes (such as plants) can only absorb half of this, leaving huge amounts of carbon dioxide floating in the atmosphere.
At present, we have an accumulation of green house gases (CFCs used in aerosols, refrigeration, etc) besides CO2 in the atmosphere that cause what many people refer to as the green house effect.
Over the years because of the green house effect, global temperatures have risen, leading to what we term global warming.
Global warming currently is linked to rising sea levels, unpredictable weather patterns, flooding, cyclones, and loss of coral reefs, biodiversity and poses serious threats or is already affecting humanity.
Global calls for the reduction in use of fossil fuels have led to countries formulating the Kyoto protocol; which calls for the reduction of fossil fuel use, cuts in carbon emission and emphasises the use of greener fuels.
Apparently as a response to the Kyoto protocol, developing nations like PNG are seeking ways of developing greener fuel projects that would feed the global need for fuel.
In addition, at the conclusion of the climate change meet last year, the Bali roadmap was adopted to provide for countries to minimise the effects of climate change.
Under the auspices of the Bali roadmap, developing nations like PNG that are parties to the Kyoto protocol and are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change can apply for and receive funding from the adaptation fund.
The funds in a way helps countries like PNG to meet the costs of adapting to climate change effects.
An option that the PNG Government is looking into is bio-diesel that can be obtained from palm oil or coconut oil as way of reducing the dependency on fossil fuels.
Interestingly, PNG has existing large tracts of oil palm plantations – Milne Bay Estates, Higaturu in Popondetta and New Britain Palm Oil in West New Britain.
Expansions to these plantations are taking place and now with Ramu Sugar venturing into planting oil palms in Markham, PNG is embracing greener fuels at a fast pace.
Coconut plantations span the coast of PNG and the many islands from colonial times and though many have been left to neglect over the years, with the move to greener fuels, we should see an increase in rehabilitation of these plantations and hopefully, the production of coconut oil for fuel.
Interestingly, Gene Drekeke of Jiangnan University, China, recently called on the Government to look into alternative fuel sources like bio-diesel.
While we wait to see what will happen in the coming months, we hope that the pursuit for greener energy sources do not suppress the rights of ordinary Papua New Guineans from exercising their democratic rights to choose.

Leo Legra
Kansas, USA