People from islands around the world sharing their knowledge at P.E.I. summit

More than 200 people from islands around the world are on Prince Edward Islandthis week for the 2024 Global Sustainable Islands Summit.

The goal is to share informationamongislands that might seem different, but have similar challenges when it comes to energy and sustainable development.

Steven Myers, P.E.I.'s minister of environment, energy and climate action, say it's an opportunity for the province to learn, as well as to provide inspiration to leaders from other small land masses.

With a goal of net zero emissions by 2040, Myers believes P.E.I. can be a leading force in renewable energy and clean technology.

"I think that we have a lot of work to do, but I think we've set really ambitious targets and really aggressive goals. And I think that the solutions that we're going to find here and the experts that we're going to grow here are going to help impact the rest of the world."

Myers said he himself haslearned a lot at other conferences like this, including one heldlast year in Madeira, an autonomous region of Portugal locatedoff the northwest coast of Africa. Therethe issue of protecting sand dunes was discussed.

Another event in Las Vegas focused largely on a lack of drinking water.

"We're well ahead in Canada," Myers said."But I think there's a lot of lessons for us to learn from people that we're bringing in here from all over the world, [as]to what's working really well in other island jurisdictions and what works really well around the world."

Global conference on islands and sustainability coming to P.E.I.

5 months ago

Duration 6:41

People from around the world will be coming to P.E.I. next week for the Global Sustainable Islands Summit. CBC News: Compass host Louise Martin spoke with Island Innovation founder and CEO James Ellsmoor about how islands like ours can combat climate change.

YashyRaghoo-Luchmun, a PhD student at the University of Mauritius, said she wants to soak in as much she can while she's on Prince Edward Island for the summit.

"It will be a great opportunity to learn more about how policy-making, how relationship-building, how there will be knowledge-sharing not just with the field of engineering but with also science, agricultureand tourism."

The P.E.I. summit, which is being held at the Rodd Crowbush Golf and Beach Resort, continues until Thursday.