Wichman’s way

The Cook Islands has ended its lengthy representation of three terms on the United Nations funded Expert Group on Technology Transfer (EGTT) which was set up in 2001 to advise nations on technologies to help them mitigate and adapt, in order to counter the effects of climate change.
It also brings to an end Tomoavao Tamanu (Tom) Wichman’s association with the group.
Wichman arrived back in Rarotonga from New Zealand on Sunday afternoon and the Herald caught up with him on Monday.
It was at the big climate change conference in Copenhagen, Denmark in December 2009 that the Cook Islands decided to step down from the group and allow another Pacific country the opportunity to serve on the group.
Wichman said he had enjoyed his term on the Expert Group. He said the group was made up of 19 representatives from various large and small nations including China, Germany, Canada and the USA. Wichman represented the Asia/Pacific region along with two others from Malaysia and China. The Small Island States was represented by Fiji.
The group met regularly in various parts of the world and reported its recommendations to the United Nations and the Conference of the Parties known as the COP. Its recommendations covered a wide range of subjects which included alternative, renewable energy and issues which included seeking greater affordability and simplicity of proven alternative technologies for developing nations.
For Wichman it has been an enriching experience. He’s traveled the world to meetings in such places as Germany, Poland, Ireland, Ghana and Thailand.
This is what climate change negotiator and our National Environment Services International Manager Tania Temata had to say about Wichman when announcing that the Cook Islands was stepping down from the group.
“The Cook Islands is lucky to have someone like Tom Wichman, who has a passion
for simple technology development and innovations for small islands, and his
representation on the EGTT was widely supported by our Pacific neighbours,”
“We have very high regard for him for the knowledge he has in this field and is
highly respected within the climate change circle”
So what now for Wichman? At the moment he’s taking a well earned break but possessing such a fertile and enquiring mind, it’s unlikely he will sit still for very long.
In recent years, along with his son Alan, he has developed and promoted various systems and methodologies to improve the local environment. He has provided government with advice and assistance in developing low cost solutions for dealing with pollution issues such as involving piggeries and has demonstrated cost effective means to remove pollutants from waste water, local water ways and lagoons.
Wichman has also provided advice on renewable energy especially solar and wind power generation, alternative fuels like coconut oil and simple but effective methods to control mosquitoes.
His work in these areas and other scientific endeavours saw him in last year’s New Year’s honours list being awarded a BEM (British Empire Medal) for services to the community and scientific inventions.
Wichman told the Herald he would still like to pursue the promotion of sewerage systems with a view to possibly setting up a business to handle installation in private homes and commercial businesses. He said he and his son Alan have been invited to China by business interests who are keen to develop their system to remove pollutants. He plans to keep a keen interest in solar power initiatives and would like to assist the outer islands to set up solar power.
Wichman thinks tourism in the outer islands should be restricted to five star accommodations which means less visitors who pay more. This would enable locals to be paid New Zealand level wages and less visitors meant less pressure on small islands in terms of infrastructure and waste management.
Wichman feels we made a mistake in trying to attract large numbers of visitors who paid less meaning depressed wages, imported labour and worse, pressure on infrastructure and waste management systems which cannot cope resulting in pollution of the lagoons.
For the time being Wichman and his wife Sally have private battles with health issues. Two years ago this paper reported on Wichman’s battle with a rare form of cancerous tumour which was successfully removed and his wife’s battle with breast cancer. Sally’s health has recovered to the surprise of the specialists in Auckland and Wichman has had recent treatment for three small tumours on his liver. Those tumours he said have shrunk since he has been taking new drugs along with a lifestyle change. He must still have a check up every six weeks and a scan and blood test every six months.
It is his lifestyle change which has had the greatest affect on him and Sally. They joined a programme run by the Manukau City Clinic for the Manukau City Council. The programme gets patients with chronic long term illnesses involved with organic gardening and growing of vegetables as a means of therapy and taking their minds off their illnesses.
He and Sally who reside in Mangere, attended two training courses the second being a train the trainer course. They are both now certified trainers. They teach others how to cope with long term chronic illnesses through changing their attitudes and lifestyle through dieting, eating healthier foods, exercise, proper cooking of foods to retain a high level of nutrition. Their instruction incorporates gardening. Now Wichman goes to other homes in the South Auckland area to show Pacific islanders with chronic illnesses how to improve their lifestyles and establish organic gardens to grow their own nutritious vegetables.
Wichman said he has seen some remarkable improvement in people through the programme and he feels his own health has improved as a result.
Wichman returns to NZ soon for a further check up.