| If these population trends continue, heavy demands will be placed on ocean and coastal resources. |
The world's growing population is putting enormous pressure on the environment. Nowhere is this more apparent than on a small island, where land and resources are limited. Coastal resource managers in American Samoa have taken on this often-controversial issue by shining a light on the fundamental problems associated with rapid population growth, and presenting a call to action for its territorial leaders that includes a recommended population ceiling.
"This is a global problem," says Lelei Peau, deputy director of the American Samoa Department of Commerce. "We can either deal with this now or wait until it gets worse. There will never be an easier time to address this."
"Population growth is an important issue for all coastal zone managers," notes Peter Craig, an ecologist with the National Park of American Samoa. More than 50 percent of the U.S. population now lives in coastal areas, and that number is expected to rise. If these population trends continue, heavy demands will be placed on ocean and coastal resources, and "whatever happens in the watershed likely will impact coastal waters."
In 1997, American Samoa's late Governor Tauese Sunia expanded the territory's Coral Reef Advisory Group into a task force to address population growth. In the year since the Population Implementation Committee issued its report, the islands' immigration system has been modernized, family planning education has begun, and legislation has been proposed to help preserve cultural traditions. Health care and education policies have changed, and the public is beginning to see the connection between everyday problems and population growth.
Peau says these are the first steps in addressing a problem that will take time, money, and strong political will to resolve.
Part of the Crowd
In 1999, the world's population reached 6 billion. Although the rate of growth has been declining since the 1960s, global population grows each year by approximately 80 million people, or the equivalent of the population of a country the size of Germany. The total world population has doubled in the last 40 years.
American Samoa, located about 2,300 miles south of Hawaii, has one of the world's fastest growing populations. The territory's population almost doubled in just 20 years, from 32,000 in 1980 to just under 60,000 today. It is projected to double again in the next 30 years.
If the current level of population growth continues, the islands' infrastructure, social services, cultural integrity, and environment will be overwhelmed.
"In general terms, the days when American Samoans could live off the land and sea are long gone," says Peau.
Baby Boom
The Territory of American Samoa is comprised of seven small islands that total about 76 square miles. Because of the rugged terrain, only 30 percent of the land is available for development.
"The territory has great scenery, but quite limited natural resources," explains Craig. "Space alone does not determine the carrying capacity of a remote island."
The driving force in American Samoa's population growth is the number of children each woman has during her lifetime.
Peau notes that among the very religious American Samoan population there is a cultural desire for large families and a reluctance to think about issues like birth control. With about half the population under the age of 20, there is heavy demand for social services.
Immigration, the other key factor in the islands' population boom, also is a sensitive issue in the Samoan culture. The islands have very high migration rates—both in and out of the territory. Two tuna canneries provide low-wage jobs for nearby islanders, while many skilled locals move to Hawaii or other parts of the U.S.
Peau says there is concern about how people on the islands would support themselves if something happened to American Samoa's limited economic base.
Trouble in Paradise
Environmental problems caused by too many people include water shortages, wilderness destruction, the paving of farmland, species extinctions, air and water pollution, overfishing, the bleaching of coral reefs, and increasing congestion on land, air, and water.
The problems associated with population growth, however, affect more than just the islands' natural resources. According to the population task force's report, "no aspect of life in American Samoa will be untouched" if population growth is left unchecked.
The report predicts population growth will have major impacts on the Samoan culture, as well as strain infrastructure, land use, and the islands' education, social, and medical services.
The area that has generated the most attention is the threat to the islanders' cultural traditions. Samoan culture, Peau explains, is based upon a system of communal lands and titles. Traditional political systems are linked to cultural titles, and the titles are tied to communal lands.
"As population increases, many Samoan families might seek property that is individually owned and not tied to cultural title," which would have a ripple effect on the islands' political system, Peau says. "Issues dealing with land tend to stir great emotions in Samoan people, and it is not uncommon to find cultural considerations outweighing economic concerns."
Critical Mass
One of the driving forces behind the efforts to address population growth has been American Samoa's coastal zone management program.
"Many of the issues we face as coastal managers frequently pop up because there are too many people," Peau says. "When the stars line up and a critical mass of staff recognize a truly fundamental problem, it has to be dealt with."
The American Samoa government's already-established Coral Reef Advisory Group provided the vehicle. "The idea was just to get the issues on the table, and make our politicians and decision makers aware of the consequences of the rate that our population is growing," Peau says.
The membership of the Population Implementation Committee includes hospital, church, and business representatives. A key to the task force's success was the appointment of Lt. Governor Togiola Tulafono to head the group, which showed the administration's commitment.
Once the population growth task force was established, members broke into small working groups to examine the environment, economy, cultural issues, and current policies and data, even bringing in an off-island economist. The coastal management program staffed the initiative.
In May 2002, the task force released its report, which included recommendations to modernize the immigration system, reduce immigration rates, reduce birthrates, and better manage resources while supporting the local Samoan culture. An action plan identifies specific steps needed to meet these goals.
The report also called for a population ceiling of 115,000, a figure Peau says was calculated on a number of factors, including the islands' limited natural resources—particularly drinking water—and the diminishing quality of life.
About 2,000 copies of the report were printed and distributed to all local and territory leaders, as well as schools, members of the media, and people running for public office.
A Call to Action
The report has been instrumental in calling attention to both the immediate and long-term problems of population growth, Peau says. "Real progress has been made, both in presenting the argument to the public and government, and in getting some of these issues addressed."
He notes that after the report was distributed, legislation was introduced to protect communal land policies and the cultural makeup of the senate and officeholders. The manual filing system used by immigration officials to keep up with the 80,000 travelers going in and out of the territory each year has been upgraded to a computer system that has tracking and monitoring capabilities.
Hospital fees, which are subsidized by the American Samoa government, have been raised to help improve health care and expand facilities, and the hospital has begun a series of village workshops to educate young women about birth control.
The education department is now tracking the number of native Samoans that are educated on the islands and then leave. Peau says the goal is to attract those professionals back to the islands. "This will force our leaders to promote industry that requires skilled labor, and discourage industry that requires the importation of cheap labor."
The report has helped people recognize the connection between everyday problems and population growth. Peau says, "People complain about traffic jams, but nobody ever associated that with population growth."
An education coordinator whose primary responsibilities are tracking and monitoring the recommendations in the report has been added to the Coral Reef Advisory Group staff.
Staying the Course
With a new governor in office, Peau says the challenge is keeping population growth in the public and political eye. "Without constant attention and pressure, this issue will slide right off the table."
Not only is Peau working to ensure that American Samoa plans for future growth, but he would like to bring in neighboring islands and develop a "regional approach. American Samoa can't do it alone. The problem is real and needs to be shared among the islands in the Pacific region."
He adds, "We've made some progress on this issue, although a lot more needs to be done. People are going to have to work on this continually for decades. There is no one-time solution, but you have to start somewhere."
For more information on American Samoa's efforts to address population growth, contact Lelei Peau at (684) 633-5155 or Lelei.Peau@noaa.gov. You may also contact Peter Craig at (684) 633-7082, or Peter_Craig@nps.gov. To view the U.S. Census Bureau population clock, point your browser to www.census.gov/main/www/popclock.html.
