Paradise Lost: How Long Do the Marshall Islands Have?

Marketed as a tropical Island getaway the Marshall Islands are the perfect place to relax and unwind with miles of pristine beaches, lines of palm trees groaning under the weight of delicious coconuts and more mouth-watering sea food than you could ever want. Without trying to sound too much like a holiday guide, the Marshall Islands are a tropical paradise which has emerged from its war-beaten past beautifully unscathed. But for just how long will this paradise be able to be enjoyed by its inhabitants and those smart enough to seek respite in its idyllic splendour?

Made up of a collection of islands and atolls in the Pacific Ocean, The Marshall Islands has had a history of occupation and nuclear testings and the islands were areas of high activity during WWI and WWII. The Marshall Islands is a nation that still relies heavily on the natural resources available to its people, particularly fishing and coconuts, and political life in the country is relatively stable. Although beautiful and tropical, the islands and atolls of The Marshall Islands are coming dangerously close to being literally swept under the rising threat of ever-climbing sea levels and it is entirely possible that in years to come, some parts of the inhabited Marshall Islands will be underwater.

The Marshall Islands saw an immense amount of martial activity during the Second World War. At the conclusion of WWI, when Germany surrendered all of its Pacific colonies, Japan took control of the colony of the Marshall Islands and became much more involved in attempts to change the sociology of the Marshallese people. When WWII broke out the Marshall Islands were invaded by US Forces and the US remained the occupying power until 1979 when, according to the US Department of State, the constitution of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) was officially recognised by the US and the government of the RMI was established. In 1986 the Compact of Free Association with the US entered into force which entitled sovereignty to the RMI and an assurance of defence and security by the US, but in return the RMI are obliged not to enter into any behaviour that doesn’t lend itself to the defence responsibilities that the US have toward the RMI.

One of the reasons behind the Compact of Free Association is the “contributions and sacrifices made by the people of the Marshall Islands in regard to the Nuclear Testing Program and...the responsibility for compensation owing to citizens of the Marshall Islands for loss or damage to property and person resulting from that testing.” In the years between 1946 and 1958 the Unites States ran 68 nuclear tests in the Marshall Islands and while these tests are openly admitted to the tests began a relationship of accruement between the US and the Marshall Islands. Lump sum payments were paid to the Marshall Islands and Tribunals were set up so the people of the Marshall Islands could always hold the Unites States accountable for any future problems these tests amounted to.

A peaceful country at the moment, war and disputes are not something the Marshallese have to worry about but there is a more malignant threat that lingers over them. In a world where threats and warnings about climate change are heard so often it is easy to become complacent about what could happen in the worst case scenario- but for the people of the Marshall Islands that worst case scenario is not as far off as those countries whose inhabitable land mass sits innocuously metres and metres above sea level.

The Majuro Atoll in the Marshall Islands is of particular concern. The atoll chain is only 1 metre above sea level and is home to over half of the population of the Marshall Islands. In 1992 the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme published a case study into the possible effects of rising sea levels titled “Vulnerability Assessment of Accelerated Sea Rise” in which the possible outcomes of a considerable sea level rise were researched. The report suggested that the rise in sea levels that were predicted in 1992 suggested that there would be significant changes to lifestyle, economic development, water resources and food security.

The Marshall Islands has signed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and ratified it in October 1992 according to the Marshall Islands website on Climate Change. This participation has lead to the country being involved in programs like the Pacific Island Climate Change Program whereby countries are assisted in their implementation of the rules of UNFCCC. These programs began in the early 1990’s but the urgency for drastic change has become more important in the last few years. But as is often the case when it comes to social change in regard to climate change, it is the smaller countries that have ratified UNFCCC who are most at risk.

In October 2010 the President of the Marshall Islands, Iroj Jurelang Zedkaia, addressed the United Nations General Assembly imploring UN member states to speed up action on climate change and to recognise that the situation for vulnerable states like The Marshall Islands is becoming ever more dire.

“Those most vulnerable and those willing to confront the challenges facing us must take leadership in this process by putting forward our own agreement spelling real and ambitious commitments and actions to address climate change – we urge others to follow,” he said.

“It should be a matter of serious concern to the Secretary-General that we are actively contemplating risks to our territorial integrity and UN membership, that we are considering options to safeguard our population’s political rights if our land – and our thin water table – becomes unusable in the face of rising seas.”

A dramatic highlighting of the risks facing the Marshall Island was a series of waves and severe storms flooded the capital of Majuro after which a state of emergency was declared. Up to 600 people were displaced and dozens of homes destroyed but more than anything the event accentuated just how vulnerable Majuro and the Marshall Islands will be should sea levels continue to rise.

In 2010 the reality of rising sea levels became too significant to ignore anymore so the Marshallese government initiated plans to build a sea wall along the coast of Majuro to prolong the effects of a sea level rise for at least a few more years. The sea wall plans are not just as simple as building a wall in the sea however. The UN Ambassador to the Marshall Islands launched a plan in October 2010 to raise about $20 Million US dollars to build a wall spanning 5 kilometres along the coast. The hope in erecting the sea wall is be to avoid the damage that rising sea levels will cause in the next 2 to 3 years by seemingly prolonging the damage for a few more years while other plans can be made. The Deputy General Manager for the Environment Protection Authority in the Marshall Islands suggested to Radio New Zealand International that the plan for the sea wall was to “save the island from eroding and keep it a bit longer and try to sustain it a little bit longer. For example if we were to have ten more years on our lifespan, it would probably add another ten.”

There are dramatic problems that the Marshallese people will face in the next few decades. With so much reliance on assistance from other nations there is real threat to the way of life in the Marshall Islands and, most tragically, the reality of whether or not the islands and atolls will in fact be liveable in the years to come. If sea levels do continue to rise at the rate they are the country will quite simply be forced underwater. And if so, what then? Where do the Marshallese go? How do they hold onto their culture and roots if they cannot live in their own country? The likelihood of having to move an entire country, as ridiculous as it sounds, is becoming more and more of a reality with every passing month and year without drastic action. What becomes of a nation when the nation is forced to up and move and find a new country to live in?

A Poem for Maddie

Dear little Maddie, dont toss and turn.
Tomorrow's another day to grow and learn.
You need your sleep you need some rest,
To keep smiling and laughing along with the best.

Its night time now and the sun has gone down,
Lay back on your pillow and turn off that frown,
Feel the comfort of the acres of bed
And let the sense of sleepy wash over your head

Feel your eyes getting heavy and close
Listen close to the wind outside as it blows
Let everything go and relax with sigh
Let sleep time come with this lullaby

Lazy Journalism or an extra insight into a story?

Friday's front page of The West Australian announced the sad death of a young boy from brain and spinal cancer. The follow-on story on page 9 held a lead which was a direct quotation from the boy's father lifted from his Facebook page.

My initial reaction was one of disgust- not because of what was written (the quotation was extremely beautiful and emotive) but rather because the journalist Angela Pownall had gone onto the father's page and taken his out pouring of grief and published it in the newspaper. However with more reflection I began to consider if this protocol is in fact as abhorrent as I had initially found it or simply a new (and possibly more considerate) was of humanising a story without invading a family's privacy.

The young boy who passed away has been in the public arena for a couple of years at the very least because his father and 19 mountain climbers raised $920,000 for PMH, all of which has been put towards research into children's cancer. The boy's father has become a vocal advocate for raising money for research into these diseases and only last night he appeared on Channel 7 news announcing that he and his colleagues would raise another $20 million for research. I find this exceptionally commendable and I am proud of a West Australian who is willing to work so hard to help others. The work that this man is doing however has lead to the reality that the death of his son is newsworthy. A lot of West Australian readers would be familiar with the family and would want to hear of the sad news and send their condolences, however I digress as I don't want to argue the newsworthiness of this boy's death, but rather look at the practises of this particular journalist.

I have lamented the infiltration of Facebook into our everyday lives before and this story immediately sent me into a 'no not again' panic, but in retrospect this piece of writing is not your typical 'scoping Facebook for juicy tidbits about a deceased person' that has become relatively acceptable in journalism of late. I find pictures lifted from Facebook pages about people who have died tragically a little bit morbid, but I cannot deny the fact that people who are interested could just as easily jump on the computer themselves and look the information up. But what does strike me in this case is the fact that the journalist's use of Facebook may have actually been more considerate than standard practise.

In my first year of journalism at ECU I found myself in a class considering ethics. A question about death-knocks was asked and I was the only female in the class who said that would be comfortable participating in a death-knock- not because I would enjoy it but because I realise that they are part of the practise of journalism. I was not a popular member of that class. The other girls in the class couldn't understand how I could be so disrespectful and (and I quote) "cold-hearted" as to invade a family's privacy in their time of grief. I don't disagree with any of the opinions the girls raised- it is disrespectful and cold-hearted but it's also a part of journalism. That's why we study ethics to make us more equipped to deal with the unpleasant parts of the work. So with this in mind it is possible that Ms Pownall has done the family a service by taking information that is freely available on the Facebook page of the father, who is obviously aware that people other than just his family are reading it, and using that information to humanise the story. Perhaps she has found away to be less disrespectful and cold-hearted but still manages to create an engaging and emotional story. The fact that the boy's father appeared on the news last night helps me rectify this notion as he clearly has no problem with media attention because ultimately the more coverage he and his family receives, the more money his campaign will hopefully receive.

People die, and other people who aren't dead are always going to be interested in how they died, who is now sad that they died and how they can avoid dying themselves so it is no wonder that the morbid curiosity that most people have with death is played out in newspapers. I don't necessarily have a problem with this because death is a part of life and people shouldn't shy away from this. You will one day know someone who will die. It's very sad but also true. My problem does not lie in addressing death in the news- but perhaps the ethically issues around how death is covered and the way some journalists will scope out a story. I don't this Ms Pownall has been unethical here. In fact she has helped me see the use of Facebook as a tool of the media in a considerably different light and I am sure she has done the right thing by this family. She has managed to cover an exceptionally tragic event in a compassionate and considered manner, but has also highlighted the extremely important work his father is undertaking to help other family's who are suffering.

I wish to add my sincere condolences to The Parish family and my well wishes for their work in the future. Mr Parish in particular, please continue your admirable work- people are taking notice.

http://www.themontblancproject2010.com/

Didier's wolf crying leads to blatant boos

A football boot to the chest would hurt. A lot. So it beggars belief that Didier Drogba should be booed when awarded a free kick after receiving the aforementioned booting.

I am the first person to concede that Didier's overreactions and dramatics are extremely frustrating to watch, entertaining yes, but frustrating. However I find it just as frustrating when opposing fans boo him when he is genuinely hurt by a reckless tackle. It would appear that just because he is an elite athlete (and he is Didier Drogba) he is expected to remain unfazed by a kick to the chest, a late tackle, an elbow to the face or any other of the defensive tactics that footballers will employ during a match.

Didier does over do his reactions sometimes....sometimes. And it really is annoying. But that doesn't mean that he should be ridiculed when an opposing player launches an attack on him that is clearly a foul. I don't know why I'm complaining really. It goes along with supporting a team that when an opposing player you dislike dives or gets an easy foul you boo- I'd boo if Rooney or Tevez did it. But I wouldn't if one of my players recklessly tackled them. I'd hate them quietly and if they scored from the free kick I'd put my middle finger up at the TV but I'd be more angry at my player than at theirs.

Football is a soul-destroying game and I can see why Bolton fans would have been frustrated when their team was down 3-0, but honestly, he booted him in the chest! There was no dive, no claim for an undeserved free kick. It was a text-book foul and even through my painfully blue-tinted glasses I can see that.

Top 5's of 2010...and yes I'm aware it's painfully late

Films

1. The Social Network

If Aaron Sorkin doesn't get the Screen Writing Oscar it will be a damn shame. Jesse Eisenberg delivered the lead role of a character not necessarily likeable, but intriguing none-the-less. Fincher presents another fast, smart and well put-together film which delves into subject matter that is so relevant for the audience and I just could not fault this film. The bonus of the brilliant soundtrack from Trent Reznor just gives an added edge to a film which could have undelivered, but thankfully does not. The opposite in fact. I'm so glad the right people made this film because it's absolutely kick ass (sorry to be so crass).

2. Inception

The aura of this film has well and truly dulled since the initial viewing but I still can't shake the epic experience that was seeing Inception in the cinema. Christopher Nolan knows how to make big budget, slick films. I didn't know what to expect when seeing Inception for the first time and coming out of the first viewing I was very much in the "the fuck?" school of though- but the satisfaction of the I GET IT moment of the second viewing just solidified the success of this film.

3. Toy Story 3

I was so worried about this film being crap because, as like almost everyone my age I know, I have a fond childhood attachment to the Toy Story franchise. It wasn't crap. In fact it was the complete opposite. This film is by no means a 'kids only' film. Hysterically funny, alarmingly emotional and really and truly a satisfying ending to a story which basically helps the viewer deal with the tragedy of growing up.

4. Red Hill

Now I have to admit a bit of bias with this film. I saw it after a wonderful weekend enjoying the beauty of natural Australia so to watch country Victoria presented in such a visually dramatic way was exceptionally pleasing. Objectively though (hopefully), this film was a huge triumph for Australian cinema. The idea of setting a western in the outback makes so much sense its not funny, and I think the film maker pulled it off with ease. I haven't actually seen Animal Kingdom so I'm aware that it might not be everyone's favourite Australian film of 2010 but this is my list so bugger it.

5. Howl

I can't fault a film which immediately makes me go home and write poetry for hours. James Franco is the most underrated actor in Hollywood at the moment because this performance was utterly brilliant. The film itself was a beautiful love-letter to the beat poets and the stories they told. I loved the cartoon sequences because it helped me to understand the delicacies of the namesake poem. A beautiful film about a beautiful man.

Honourable Mentions:

Exit Through the Gift Shop: Is Banksy the coolest man on the planet?

Machete: Badass

Dishonourable Mentions:

Valentine's Day: Thank you for ruining Love Actually

Sex and the City 2: Jesus

Due Date: How could something that looked so good on paper fail so spectacularly?

Albums

1. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy- Kanye West

Holy shit.

I would defend Mr West to the death. In my book the man can do no wrong. As Dr Dre put it in a recent interview with XXL magazine "I love Kanye's music. I don't necessarily agree with a lot of the moves that he made with his career, but as far as his music goes, I like it". I honestly could tell you very little about Kanye's personal life apart from what he puts in his lyrics. And quite frankly that's all I care to know. He is one of the most honest musicians making music at the moment and that in and of itself is high praise. Polarising to say the least, Kanye West is a prolific contributor to hip hop and music in general. This album is the jewel in his crown as The King. "My presence is a present". You're damn right Ye.

2. Plastic Beach- Gorillaz

Has Damon Albarn put a musical foot wrong ever? On a totally personal level the concept of the Gorillaz as a combination of the king of my favourite music genre Britpop and my newly adored hip hop is as good as it gets. This album hits all the right highs and all the right lows of production, song writing and the classic Gorillaz melodies which stay with you for days. With the usual swag of impressive guest contributors and a few fierce new ones (Snoop and Lou Reed on the same album? Ohhh yep) Albarn has created a work that is so enjoyable to listen to that any doubters of his must surely be hanging their heads.

3. The Archandroid- Janelle Monae

What a breathe of fresh air this album is. It's like listening to the music to a stage show, if the stage show was set in space and about the love affairs between robots. This album is an absolute treat to listen to because it takes you on a journey, guided by a beautifully pure voice but not pure enough that she can't lay down some fantastic pop songs. It's borderline theatrical in the overall theme, but tracks like Tightrope that are impossible to listen to when driving because you just want to get up and dance immediately make this a lively album that keeps me smiling each time I listen. I cannot wait to see what her live shows are like.

4. How I got Over- The Roots

Shamefully this is the first Roots album I ever listened to. But what a good one to start off with. I find the combination of the voices of all the MCs on this album, plus the beautiful vocal contributors works so strongly to bring a collective solace to the problems the tracks raise. Sometimes I get a bit bogged down with the "me me me" attitude of some MCs, but tracks like "The Fire" which is one of the most inspiring songs I've heard in years fill me with hope that as long as people like The Roots are still making music, everything is going to be OK.

5. Brothers- The Black Keys

I've read that some Black Keys fans are disappointed with this album. I don't get that. It's awesome.

Honourable Mentions:

Heglioland- Massive Attack: Woah man

Pink Friday- Nikki Minaj: Going to be huge

Dishourable Mentions:

The Boxer- Kele: Mannnnnn what the hell was that?

Battle of the Sexes: "Feelin high, but I'm hung real low sorta like a tripod". Oh Luda.

Gigs

1. Gorillaz, Burswood Dome

De La Soul as warm-up act, Damon Albarn in full flight, the most amazing Snoop Dogg visuals ever. So much fun.

2.

Mayer Hawthorne, Leederville Hotel

My favourite album of 2009 backed up with the most boogie-filled show I've ever been to.

3.

RZA, Villa Nightclub

Its the RZA....

4.

Massive Attack, Kings Park

This was an almost perfect gig. Warm night, beautiful music, red wine.

5.

The Strokes, On The Bright Side Festival

Those trendy young New Yorkers have grown into proper grown up entertainers

Honourable Mentions:

Big Day Out 2010

Moondog J, Mojos

Youtube Videos (I realised earlier I've spent more time in the past year watching stuff on Youtube than I've watched new TV so go figure)

1. Antoine Dodson: I still can't answer a question without starting off with "welllll obviously"

2. Train Trip Girl: I don't think this was put on Youtube in 2010 but she basically has made me who I am today

3. Apology to Black People: A latecomer but a significant amount of LOLs went along with this guy.

4. Double Rainbow: too funny

5. I'm no Superman: Everything about this is too good

Honourable Mentions:

The people who showed me these. You know who you are.

Dishonourable Mentions:

The people who took down the Hitler videos

Useless...

Excuse the lack of timeliness- this was written a week ago on a plane from New York to London.

In the wake of the shooting tragedy in Tucson I have been reading as much coverage of the event and the fall-out from the arrest of Jared Loughner in the US media as possible. The luxury of being in the US in the days since the incident have been enlightening to say the very least. I have been able to follow a story that I may not have paid much attention to if I were at home in Australia. The way the incident and the political discussions that have arisen from the tragedy have been absolutely eye-opening.

On the day after the shooting I read, absolutely dumbfounded, of the 'murderous shooter', 'viciously gunning down his 'helpless victims'. I have never read such biased journalism. The coverage was thorough yes, but having recently sat through a media-law unit where the main point stressed was DON'T SLANDER ANYONE, EVER it was difficult to read the representation of the (at the time 'alleged') shooter Jared Loughner. He had been arrested at the scene of the shooting so there was little doubt that he was/is guilty of the shootings but I still couldn't help but feel descriptions of him as a 'loner freak' was going a bit far.

That was until the chilling mugshot of Loughner was released. I urge you to see it because there is truly a story in this image. The caricature of the 'deranged killer' that was painted in those early articles was well and truly given a visual back up with this image. The face does not look like your average 22 year old. Hell I'm 2 weeks shy of 22 and I hope I look a little more together than Loughner does.

What saddens me most about this image is the polarising nature of it. The 'deranged killer' is almost certainly going to have a trial by media- that is to say if he has a trial at all. And I don't blame people for thinking 'he's a danger to society, lock him up immediately" from simply looking at this image- it is deliberately disturbing. But I think, more than anything, the image lends itself to the circus that has become to aftermath of the tragedy itself being played out across newspapers and visual broadcasts. Now we have the head 'freak' in a debacle that is spiralling out of control, with a collection of clowns in the media following his every move. What is exceptionally interesting is the reaction Sarah Palin has had to the tragedy and the head-strong defence she has initiated for herself against the 'blood libel' that some critics have created in suggesting she is somewhat to blame for the tragedy. (See her recorded speech on her Facebook page).

Although I find Sarah Palin to be (I'll try and put this in language she'd understand) "reprehensible", I do tend to agree with her notion that placing the blame of her for this tragedy is wrong and misguided. She may be the borderline Anti-Christ but she did not tell Jared Loughner to go down to the mall and gun-down Gabrielle Giffords. What has happened in the media, as so often does in times of great tragedy, is meaning has been sought in a situation where, sadly, no meaning may ever be found. Meaning in this instance has endeavoured to be found through blame.

It is no one's fault that Loughner did what he did other than Loughner himself. I am not playing down the tragedy, the opposite in fact, I am merely addressing the fact that what Arizona and Americans now face is a seemingly meaningless loss of life and meaningless destruction. Loughner has still not suggested any political motivation for the attack so turning on politics or politicians to lay blame upon for the shooting is useless. Perhaps he will one day tell someone what made him make up his mind to act so recklessly, but if he doesn't, what I hope is that angry grief does not turn into angry retaliation.

Travellin'