Dear <<First Name>>,

Thanks for reading the Island Innovation newsletter! If you were forwarded this email or accessed it through a link, don't forget to subscribe here and stay up to date on the latest sustainability news from islands and remote regions around the world. 

↪ Read: Opportunity Zones Could Drive Development Of US Renewable Energy

With over 600 million people, the world's island communities and their surrounding oceans cover one-sixth of the earth's total area. These islands, aside from their varied climates and cultures, have much in common in terms of both the opportunities and challenges they face. Over two-thirds of the world's nations include islands and out of the 34 richest biodiversity areas worldwide, 10 are on islands. We live on a world of islands, but with long distances and high costs of travel, it can often be challenging for islanders to interact and learn one another. 

↪ Read: New Zealand Ditches GDP For Happiness And Wellbeing

With online communications and ever-improving digital links, there is now an opportunity to do things differently. That's why Island Innovation is launching the first-ever Virtual Island Summit, a free and entirely online event designed to connect global islands to share common experiences through a digital platform. We will be bringing together leading experts from islands from the Arctic to small island developing states (SIDS) to discuss commonalities across these islands and how we can build "digital bridges" to better share information. An added value is, of course, that we can claim to be a carbon-neutral conference while also maximizing accessibility for a diverse audience. Keep an eye on this newsletter for your opportunity to register and see below for opportunities to nominate speakers or become a sponsor.

↪ Read: Kenyans Fight Back Against Coal Plant On Lamu Island

Islands need solutions to pressing issues arising from climate change and globalization. But they can also offer answers. We will continue to push for opportunities for islands to share information and highlight good practices from around the world. We can learn a lot from our partners at the Global Island Partnership (GLISPA). Launched in 2006, GLISPA facilitates leadership for islands, building global partnerships that help island nations to cultivate sustainable development practices, and help gather global support for sustainable development in island communities. Listen to Executive Director Kate Brown, who will also be speaking at the Virtual Island Summit, in her recent interview with Radio New Zealand for some inspiration and ideas about the opportunities ahead!

Please take advantage of discussing today's topics further in the members-only Island Innovation Facebook Group. 

Thank you for reading,
James Ellsmoor

P.S. Did you enjoy the content so far and want to hear more? Then please pledge a few dollars to help cover the hosting expenses to continue sending you the latest information and resources. See the Patreon page for more details.

Thank you to our top tier patrons for their kind support:
James Stockan and Robert Stewart.

"What is Monsanto doing in Puerto Rico?"

Energy Stories

Interesting stories about energy from around the world: 

• Orkney could become the UK’s first “smart energy island” after a £28.5M project that aims to eliminate the use of fossil fuels was confirmed. 
• Can the small Hawaiian island of Moloka‘i and its utility get along well enough to teach the rest of the world how to get off fossil-fueled electricity?
• Residents of one of Britain’s most remote inhabited islands, Foula, have stepped up efforts to move towards a cleaner energy system. 
• Kenya's environment court has blocked the construction of a coal-fired power station on the country's idyllic Indian Ocean coast, in a move hailed as a major victory by clean energy campaigners fighting a years-long battle against the scheme.
• The Economic Development Administration (EDA) of the US Department of Commerce has awarded a $4.1 million grant to Fundación Comunitaria de Puerto Rico to install a 100 percent renewable energy system to support businesses in the island-municipality of Culebra.
• Tesla has met with the Greek government to propose ways to modernize the electric grid of the country’s many islands in the Mediterranean sea with microgrids and renewable energy.
• New statistics demonstrate that using renewable energy is increasingly cost-effective compared to other sources.

Other stories worth sharing

A selection of stories relevant to innovation and sustainable development from around the world:

• Islands States contribute little to climate change, but they are the first to suffer from its devastating effects and the least equipped to manage them.
• A workshop in New Caledonia on the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. 
• Bonaire: Renewables Finally the More Affordable Generation Option in the Caribbean?
• Success for Small Island States amidst growing climate change concerns.
• Caribbean Ministers of Health Join Forces on Climate Change. 
• Pacific island cities call for a rethink of climate resilience for the most vulnerable.
• Hurricane season is starting. And Hawaii has more reasons than ever to worry.

Thank you to everyone who has read, shared, supported and donated to help make this newsletter happen. I cannot thank you enough for your help and encouragement and look forward to seeing where this project will go!

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Feedback is always welcome!