TOWARDS 2030: Life Below Water and Life on Land

Growing consumer awareness around eco-friendly initiatives are becoming ever more important and are holding a significant place in business strategies. Business leaders have a huge part to play in the conservation of our planet even more significant for us here in the Pacific region.

With the changing consumer attitudes, conservation is no longer just the moral choice: it is the smart choice, too. As the Pacific region re-open its borders to the world, global gas prices continue to sky rocket one begs to ask the question, “What can I do about this now? Or what part will I play in this” This rhetorical question often inspires green initiatives or people to change personal habits such as recycling waste, taking public transportation, getting a hybrid car, or bringing their own grocery bags to the store.

In the Solomon Islands, the Green Team Initiative, is a collective effort to advocate or create the awareness amongst its people in reducing environmental pollution on both land and ocean.

It’s that simple “put your rubbish in a bin” or dispose off your waste properly or safely, initiated by Tourism Solomons, to encourage its citizens to show pride in their country by keeping it clean.

The Green Team initiative came into fruition as the organization saw the need to help address environmental pollution both on land and sea and especially in and around Honiara as it is the main port of entry to any visitor visiting the Solomon Islands.

This initiative has helped to reduce waste and rubbish on the environment and supports Tourism Solomons quest in keeping the environment clean.

“It’s an initiative to reduce the environmental impacts that rubbish has created both on land and the ocean. But more importantly, it is to set an example for Solomon citizens, its stakeholder partners (Solomon Airlines, Tourism Associations and other national and private companies) and other organizations to take initiative and take pride in looking after the place we call home.” said Ms. Fiona Teama, Tourism Solomon’s Head of Sales and Marketing .

Activities are organized by Tourism Solomons every quarter, focusing on areas of interests for visitors to its shores in communities and locations outside of Honiara. It also capitalizes on international event days that are related to the environment, its people and cultures.

And through these collaborative efforts from Tourism Solomons and its stakeholder partners, tons of rubbish have been removed from designated areas within Honiara including at attraction sites in the local communities on land, along the coast and the ocean.

Any queries can be directed to sustainable@spto.org

Image Credit: Tourism Solomons