By Ken Davey

We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children

Last time we spoke about the light-driven system called PV (photovoltaics). We looked at some of the limitations of these systems and whether they are delivering what has been promised in Tonga and across the rest of the Pacific islands.

In today’s article, we’re going to discuss another light-driven system. It is certainly not man-made, and unlike PV, its potential extends well beyond electricity generation. It has the ability to reshape Tonga’s economy and set Tonga on a fully sustainable pathway towards a prosperous, equitable and self-determined bio-circular economy.

“We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.”

Since coming across that statement over a decade ago, it has anchored my biogas, bioenergy and circular economy journey, and I invite readers to consider its profound truth.

Tonga is blessed with one of the most powerful natural engines on Earth: tropical photosynthesis. What this supercharged, light-driven engine delivers to Tonga every single day is beyond extraordinary, and it is delivered entirely free of charge.

Bioenergy

Biomass comes from photosynthesis, and bioenergy comes from biomass. Simply put, the more abundant the photosynthesis, the greater the potential for biomass and bioenergy. For Tonga, that photosynthesis-biomass-bioenergy connection is amplified by our tropical environment, and that natural advantage has significant socioeconomic development implications.

Fundamental to human existence

Photosynthesis is the ultimate natural system for creating organic carbon, and organic carbon is fundamental to human existence. As humans, we are largely built from carbon. In fact, if you remove the water, about half of our body weight is carbon.

The food on our tables and the feed for our livestock depend on organic carbon, and by leveraging tropical photosynthesis, Tonga has the potential to produce much more of that organic carbon locally.

Importantly, this natural connection between photosynthesis, biomass and bioenergy enables us to produce food and feed right here in Tonga, along with a range of other bioproducts derived from locally produced, renewable organic carbon.