Ben Namakin, a Climate Witness in action!

Ben Namakin is a Climate Witness from Micronesia and Kiribati in the South Pacific. Ben recently produced a video about the impacts of climate change in Micronesia and also attended an International forum in Hawaii where he spoke alongside Pacific leaders about the need for action.

Nigel Allan, communications manager with WWF Climate Witness, spoke to Ben about his experiences.

NA: Tell us about the meeting you attended in Hawaii?

BN: I attended the United States Coral Reef Task Force (USCRTF) Meeting in Kona, Hawaii from and the Response to Climate Change (RtCC) workshop on Moku Oloe Isl.

On the first day of the USCRTF meeting I was on the panel where I talked about the impacts of climate change on our natural resources and rights to live over these resources or gifts of life we have been given from our ancestors. I gave the same presentation for Many Strong Voices in Bali.

I also spoke about our challenge to integrate climate change into the education program at the Conservation Society of Pohnpei, where I manage the Environmental Education & Awareness Program, as it is time to help our community prepare now for changes we may see in the near future.

NA: So what was the highlight of the trip?

BN: The night of the fourth day of the task force meeting was a big night for me. I had the invitation to speak on a panel titled: “Indigenous Stewardship and Conservation Initiatives Across the Pacific, A presentation by Pacific Island Leaders”.

My fellow panelists during this evening were Mr. Tommy Esang Remengasau, Jr, the President of Palau and Mr. Nainoa Thompson, a Master Navigator and Director of the Polynesian Voyaging Society. President Remengasau told his story about establishing the Micronesia Challenge and Mr. Thompson shared his great experience of bringing back the knowledge and skills in navigation and the importance of natural resources in the region.

It was with an honour to speak alongside these two very important men. I talked about becoming a youth activist on climate change from the Pacific Region. I shared the struggles I went through to campaign around the world and particularly in the US to get support for SIDS (small island developing states) on the issue of climate change and also my fight for the seat of the youth to negotiate in the international climate negotiation process.

NA: What was your message when you presented?

I made it clear to the audience, which also included President Bush's senior environmental advisor, that climate change may have a great impact on our natural resources and indigenous knowledge, such as our ability to use traditional navigation methods, if nothing is done to slow down the negative impacts of climate change.

It was a great experience to be on a tough panel and I was very thrilled that my message was strongly supported by the audience and the Palauan President, Master Navigator, Governor of Guam and other leaders along with environmentalists and scientists who presented during this important event.