‘PNG can fight climate change through land, forests’

National

By LULU MARK
PAPUA New Guinea can make a substantial contribution towards minimising the impacts of climate change through its vast forests and landmass, Western Highlands Governor Paias Wingti says.
“Climate change is real in the world,” he said.
“We still have our forests and landmass so we still can plant a lot of trees.
“We can do a lot in PNG.
“When you look at the world now, it’s moving into green energy and other areas and we are also lucky because the investors are also looking at PNG in that area,” Wingti said.
He said PNG’s case had to be well presented so that these global powers realised that PNG had a major contribution to resolving this problem.
“I want the Parliament to really think seriously about this.
“The Coronavirus (Covid-19) is temporary but climate change is serious – it will really affect all of us.” He said Environment, Conservation and Climate Change Minister Wera Mori started the tree planting programme in some provinces and schools in the country.
“Every part of PNG we have massive land where we need to really take a strong stand on this,” he said.
“We have been advising all our schools to plant trees and that is the programme for the future because if we do it successfully here we can also trade.
“We would make a big contribution towards saving this planet.
“PNG is a small country but PNG trees, forest are still there.
“All the small (islands) of PNG are slowly now sinking – and that will cause big problem for us with population movements.
“Crops that don’t grow in the Highlands are growing today.
“It’s a big issue for the country that we need to take the lead.”