In conjunction with World Ocean’s Day on 11 June 2020, the Brunei Climate Change Secretariat took part in ghost net removal along Pelong Rocks, Muara. Hosted by both the Department of Fisheries at Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism and Poni Divers, the campaign was aimed to increase awareness on ocean conservation and the effects of human driven pollution that’s present in our waters.

Our coastal waters are characterised with a series of shallow shoals and patch reefs that is a haven for corals, fish species and an array of reef dwelling invertebrates that’s protected under Brunei law. Pelong Rocks being home to Fringing Reefs, the team was able to see colourful fishes that calls corals their home. However, pollution and minor disturbances are not absent from our reefs, and on the day, 20 divers and 4 snorkelers managed to retrieve at least 30 kgs worth of fishing nets nestled on top of our corals endangering marine life and a threat to our rich ecosystem. Ghostnets account for 10% of the world’s marine litter. Ocean warming and rising GHG concentration are a risk to many calcifying organisms leading to weakened structure and lowering its resilience to environmental surges. Though generally corals are resistant stressors, persistent threats will result in coral bleaching and if preventative actions are not taken, will result in increased mortality with some already seen in Brunei.

With climate change taking precedence and in line with United Nations goals’ (Climate Action, Life Below Water, and Clean Water and Sanitation) it is increasingly important for every member of the public to be proactive in protecting and conserving our environment for generations to come.

A total of 20 bags of trash were collected, most of it being plastic accumulated on the shore during a cleaning campaign, as part of the World Environment Day.

You can do your part!

Tree planting requires certain skill to do it properly. Careful and well-planned plantations have the potential to reap numerous ecological benefits and add biodiversity to the local area. The Brunei Climate Change Secretariat took part in previous tree planting activities with Hengyi alongside our friends from the Forestry Department, Ministry of Primary Resource and Tourism. In 2019, we managed to plant trees at Berakas Forest Reserve as part of Hengyi’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to plant 200 ha at 1 ha a month. We also partnered with BSP and Hengyi to celebrate the 50th Earth day on 22 April 2020, and launched a 200-trees initiative. Our tree suppliers, Rimba Garden Central managed to deliver 200 tree saplings of tabebuia aurea and bucida green on the day.

Tree planting, however, must be executed properly. In identifying new grounds to plant new saplings, we must consider its surrounding habitat. This is to ensure that the area can accommodate new trees, and to ensure introduced species are not invasive to its surroundings. Preventing invasive species – when a nonnative species is introduced to the ecosystem, is crucial as it can harm our biodiversity and human health. In Brunei, Acacia Trees brought from Australia into Brunei for our logging industry has caused biodiversity loss, changed our water chemistry and alter our hydrological modifications. In areas where forest fires occur, acacia populations are also seen thriving due to their resistance to fire and fast regeneration - depleting the area of diverse plantations.

A concept worth mentioning is also to avoid monoculture plantations. Many countries have established tree planting campaigns as a key element of their policies to tackle climate change. However, an increasing number of countries are labelling monoculture and single crop plantations such as palm oil and rubber as part of their reforestation of efforts. These cash crops do more harm than good as they offer no room for biodiversity and threatens local ecosystems.

Tree planting offers a reap of ecological benefits. Not only it provides oxygen, it can also harbour numerous plant and animal species. Strategically planted trees and vegetation (wildlife corridors) can also help to facilitate animal migration for breeding and foraging, and maintaining a healthy tree population also have a direct positive impact on our surrounding environment as it purifies the air and lowers the area’s temperature, sequesters carbon and adds integrity to the soil and forms a natural buffer against the climate.