Victor Ovejero

Since when do we start building a house from the roof? Thus let us not see it as the norm for building climate change solutions. It is common for talented and smart individuals to give it a try and solve the current climate crisis with many innovative, technologically driven systems. Additionally, hoping that it will make them the hero of our generation; asking for a couple of millions in initial investment, of course. Great solutions do not have to be intricate, most times starting from the foundations is how you build an exceptional structure.

Palau is an archipelago of over 500 islands, located in the Micronesia region in the western Pacific Ocean. With eight times more tourists than locals, their solution to trashed beaches and demolished coral reefs does not fall short of amusingly effective and simple. In order to enter the country, you need to sign a pledge, and countries such as Iceland, Finland and New Zealand are following.

The Palau Pledge has become a stamp in every visitor’s passport which needs to be signed to gain acceptance into the country. This pledge has been drafted by kids all over the island and makes tourists vow to respect Palau, its people and ecosystem. Their immigration laws have been changed to accommodate the pledge and enforce it. Since the instalment of the pledge, the country has seen a continuous decrease in trash around and on the island, as well as a growing biodiversity in their coral reefs and tropical forests.

“A pledge by and for Palau’s children”

With this slogan, Palau has had over 700.000 pledges signed, and they are not stopping here. Palau is growing the pledge to be an experience, where tourists who stay responsible and respectful of the Palauan ecosystem will have access to cultural and nature-based activities. This is managed through a point-based system, in which businesses and activities contained within the Palau Business Pledge will reward you for being mindful of the environment. Technology is part of the solution, but it is not as complicated as you may think.

Ol’au Palau, a simple web application in which you are awarded points for saving carbon emissions. Collect points to unlock culturally immersive activities that cannot be bought nor rented, but only obtained through action and good will. Incentivising tourists to take care of the islands, animals and local businesses by rewarding them with culturally-bonding experiences; this is what the UN likes to call smart tourism (1). Palau has achieved what many dream of: a clean scenery, responsible tourism and a strong bond between locals and visitors.

Palau is not reinventing the wheel, they have not spent millions in finding the solution to cleansing the ocean from trash nor grow their coral reefs faster and stronger through a new chemical. The question should not be, what new invention can I make that will revolutionize the world? However, it ought to be, how can I reduce the contamination of a simple and recurrent process that is slowly polluting my city? Running a marathon is not about having the longest stride but pacing forward without giving up.

All of us have to align with Palau, there are a lot of opportunities in which to improve and become more efficient. It does not matter what field you work in, if it is technology, business, hospitality, medicine or law. We need to observe our surroundings, explore where resources are being wasted, where efficiency is not being maximized and build our dream start up to solve this. If we are lucky, we may even get to experience an adventurous trip to Palau, where people are flourishing in clean water and breathable air, not worrying about sun rays cutting through the thin ozone layer into their fragile skin.

If you are interested in learning more about Palau and their solution, please go to their website, sign the pledge, and watch their beautiful informative videos at: https://palaupledge.com/ (2)

Bibliography:

1. “An EU Initiative to Reward Innovative and Smart Tourism in European Cities!” European Capitals of Smart Tourism, https://smart-tourism-capital.ec.europa.eu/index_en.
2. “Palau pledge” PALAUPLEDGE.COM, https://palaupledge.com/