Expand protections for the Pacific Remote Islands

Indigenous Pacific voices call for full protection of the Pacific Remote Islands

Three Indigenous leaders from Oceania share why we must fully protect the Pacific Remote Islands, a place of cultural significance that contains some of the world’s last wild and healthy ecosystems. Their stories reflect why this special area holds deep value, not only for the livelihoods and culture of Pacific Islanders but also for identity and survival.

John Kerry, Indigenous Leaders Mark Climate Week by Urging Protection of the Pacific Remote Islands

Patagonia, the outdoor apparel company, hosted the event, “A Night with Intergenerational Storytellers,” on ocean protection and the Pacific Remote Islands at its retail store in SoHo during Climate Week NYC. 

New York, NY — During a Climate Week event hosted by Patagonia on Monday evening, Indigenous elders, young ocean leaders, Pacific Island educators, and ocean-climate policy experts called on the Biden Administration to act on the President’s commitment to the Pacific Remote Islands (PRI), honoring Pacific Islanders’ heritage and creating the world’s largest highly protected marine area. The action would meet the America the Beautiful initiative’s goal to protect 30 percent of U.S. marine waters by 2030 (30×30). In a video address released at the event, former US Secretary of State and Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry, via video remarks, expressed support for full protection of the Pacific Remote Islands, advancing the U.S. commitment to protect 30 percent of marine waters. 

President Biden: Honor Indigenous leaders. Safeguard our future. Fully protect PRI.

Some of the ocean’s last wild, healthy ecosystems are in the Pacific Remote Islands. From vibrant coral reefs to deep-sea species found nowhere else on Earth – the area has long held significance for Native Pacific Islanders’ cross-oceanic migration, voyaging and cultural practice. We have an urgent need and unprecedented opportunity to protect it. 

In the last four years, President Biden has worked to build a strong environmental foundation with historic investments in clean energy and environmental justice. His administration has made record-breaking strides toward the America the Beautiful initiative, with a goal of conserving 30% of U.S. lands and waters by 2030 (known as “30×30”). In his final months in office, President Biden has an unprecedented opportunity to honor Indigenous leaders and establish the world’s largest highly protected marine area with the Pacific Remote Islands. This action would ensure that the Biden Administration’s climate legacy includes achieving the goal of protecting 30% of U.S. waters..