The islands of the Federated States of Micronesia stretch across a vast ocean expanse, where 607 atolls and volcanic peaks rise just meters above the waves. This is a region of unparalleled biodiversity and existential fragility, where climate change impacts are no longer a distant possibility. Amidst this delicate paradise, William Kostka has emerged as a driving force, embodying the trials and tenacity of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM).
William Kostka’s story begins in Pohnpei, where he spent his formative years intimately tied to the land and ocean. This relationship laid the foundation for his lifelong commitment to ecological stewardship. In the early 1990s, Kostka founded Micro Tours, but witnessing the rapid degradation of coral reefs and fisheries, he shifted his focus to conservation, embarking on a career dedicated to protecting the Pacific’s ecological and cultural heritage.
The framework of inter-island cooperation
In 1998, he co-founded the Conservation Society of Pohnpei (CSP), which evolved into a leading NGO with a team of 22 and an $800,000 annual budget. His most enduring contribution came in 2006 with the Micronesia Challenge, uniting governments to conserve 50% of marine resources and 30% of terrestrial resources by 2030 – a target that has now been met. This inspired the creation of the Micronesia Conservation Trust (MCT), where Kostka served as Executive Director. Under his leadership, the Challenge weathered over 20 political transitions across five member states. He also established The Nature Conservancy’s programs in the FSM and contributed to national policies, including the Federated States of Micronesia’s National Environment Sector Strategies, securing $2 million annually for environmental protection. In 2023, he became Regional Director for Micronesia at the Pacific Community (SPC).
William has been at the forefront of fostering collective action. The arrival of the Kiwa Initiative’s MiCOAST program last year, and Community-Based Fisheries Management (CBFM) exemplifies his approach. "Our goal is to elevate the Micronesia Challenge and Kiwa Initiative at high-level meetings like the Pacific Heads of Fisheries, providing evidence for decision-making," he states. His philosophy is rooted in the Three-Pronged Approach requiring collaboration between governments, civil society, and local communities. “We have this romantic notion of community leaders being always there for their people, and that’s not always the case. Sometimes, they wield their power improperly, and governments need to step in,” he argues.
Nature-based Solutions: building on success, overcoming challenges
William Kostka advocates Nature-based Solutions (NbS) as the most practical and sustainable approach for the Pacific. “They require less outside support and can be implemented quite easily,” he explains. He emphasizes linking conservation with food security and public health. Initiatives such as Kiwa and the Micronesia Challenge’s endowment stands as a testament to his vision, yet he remains aware of the challenges: “We don’t need to reinvent the wheel. We need to remove the barriers that are hindering initiatives like Kiwa and the Micronesia Challenge from achieving their ultimate goals,” the Palau Protected Areas Network Fund (PANF), supported by IUCN since 2010, proving efficiency of such initiatives.
Facing climate change, ocean acidification, and unsustainable resource extraction, against a backdrop of growing international competition for access to the seabed and industrial fishing. William Kostka warns of a double urgency: the need to act now while preparing for future threats. “Management systems would ensure that the FSM maintains sovereign rights,” he says. For him, the Pacific already has the tools and success stories; what it needs now is consistency and political will to turn them into lasting change.
