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Businesses seen as key element for Greening Economy

-2-day workshop on Greening the Economy begins today
Some of the persons at the opening of the seminar on Greening the Economy
One of the overseas presenters at the seminar this morning
One of the overseas presenters at the seminar this morning
Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Dr. Kedrick Pickering delivering his well received presentation at the seminar this morning
Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Dr. Kedrick Pickering delivering his well received presentation at the seminar this morning
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The importance of businesses being actively involved if the Virgin Islands was to realise its objective of achieving a Green Economy was emphasised this morning February 22, 2012 at the opening of a Seminar on “Greening the Economy towards sustainable development for the BVI”.

The2-day seminar, which is being held at Treasure Isle, is being sponsored by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) and the aim is to help better understand the economic value of the natural environment of the Virgin Islands and to help integrate that thinking into strategic decision making.

According to Premier Dr. D. Orlando Smith, the protection of the environment is one of our highest and noblest responsibilities which it’s why it enshrined in our constitution. “Yet our survival as a Territory and as a people depends on our finding ways to balance all of our responsibilities including those owed to our people whose growth and advancement, individually and collectively, depends both on how well we manage our resources and on how well we tread the middle way between protection and over-development. This is a challenge that has stumped many of the most powerful countries in the world and which has proved the stumbling block to global agreements aimed at lowering the threat posed by global warming.”

Premier Smith further said with the embracing of the tourism industry in the 1950’s and the leap to take advantage of the opportunities it could bring to the people it brought unprecedented change and unprecedented benefits to a wide cross-section of society.

“It has also brought many challenges. Between1980 and 1991, for example, our population grew by almost fifty percent severely impacting our physical and social infrastructure and dramatically raising the vulnerability of our ecologically sensitive areas. Since then, it has become clear that government’s policies and programmes must find ways to stimulate continued economic growth while remaining environmentally sensitive. We have to balance the needs of present-day Virgin Islanders with those of future generations who must not be allowed to inherit a Territory so environmentally troubled that its ability to sustain itself is in doubt."

The Premier, who also holds the tourism portfolio, said his Government is committed to facilitating the growth of a diversified economy where entrepreneurs are encouraged and assisted to become "enviropreneurs". “The protection of our environment and of our biodiversity offers us some stiff challenges but it also offers opportunities for innovators to become involved in the rapidly growing eco-sector of our economy. Five years ago, Green VI did not exist but now it collects used glass products and makes beautiful jewellery and art from items that we used to throw away. Twenty years before that our national hero, Noel Lloyd, began using discarded metals to make sculptures of found art.”

He also said the foods, drinks and other products which are imported into the VI at great expense from other countries also exact an environmental cost which will, arguably, be felt most deeply by small island nations such as the VI and its Caribbean neighbours.

“Improving our sustainability must therefore also mean improving the sustainability of our supply and ensuring that the products we import reach our shores with the smallest carbon footprint possible. Where possible we will facilitate our businesses and our tourism properties to source their food and other requirements locally. Where that is not possible our next best option is sourcing our needs from our closest regional neighbours. To that end, governments of the Caribbean must begin to work together to enable this heightened cooperation and turn the challenges posed by economies of scale to our advantage."

Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Dr. Kedrick Pickering also emphasised the need for businesses to buy into the initiative of going green including by ensuring that their products are environment friendly and promotes saving energy as solar water heaters, which he said there some 50, 000 installed in homes in Barbados and which saves the country and individuals lots of money.

He then threw out a challenge to businesses to make a greening pledge to help protect the environment. Her said businesses could do this by cutting down on waste products, water use, electricity or they could come up with their own ‘green project’.

Dr. Pickering said business would automatically save more money in going green but the incentive from Government would be an official greening seal, which would make them to be recognised as a green leader.

Earlier, Governor Boyd McCleary said the presence of Premier Dr. D. Orlando Smith, Deputy Premier Dr. Kedrick Pickering and other members of cabinet at the seminar opening spoke of Government’s attitude towards the natural environment, which he said is one of the greatest assets of the Virgin and that the Territory is heavily dependent on it for obvious reasons but it’s importance is not always taken seriously.

He also said over the next two days participants of the workshop will look at what key actions need to be taken over the short, medium and long term to ensure the environment is taken properly into account in planning the future of the Virgin Islands.

Participants of the workshop include officials from both the public and private sectors.

7 Responses to “Businesses seen as key element for Greening Economy ”

  • qc (22/02/2012, 13:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    just more stage show and spin and no help and relief for the poor man who felling the heat and catching hell!
  • beach bump (22/02/2012, 14:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    if you all up and down talking about the enviroment and how beautiful our beaches are then start by at least cleaning up the beaches, starting with Cane Garden Bay, and Long Bay!!!
  • Not Convinced (22/02/2012, 15:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sorry but I am not convinced! They are spewing about being for the envoironmnet yet in their previous reign as Gov't from 2003 and 2007 they were seriously FOR development (Beef Is. and Smugglers) that would destroy the very environment that they are now preaching about. Enough of the rhetoric already, stop making speeches to just soothe the public meanwhile you don't mean what you say! I supported some of these guys but really beginning to wonder....."Did I DO The Right Thing?!"
  • Yemanja (23/02/2012, 11:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The importance of what is being discussed goes far beyond politics. Our government leaders should be commended on supporting “Greening the Economy towards sustainable development for the BVI”. The reality of living more "green" in our personal lives as well in any business we participate with will define our future on this planet as well as on these delicate island ecosystems of the BVI. Asking our local stores, businesses and friends to support such initiatives as WorldHouse Caribbean (www.WorldHouseCaribbean.org) and Green VI (http://www.greenvi.org) is critical to moving forward in a sustainable 21st Century. Asking our gardeners/landscapers/pest controllers to stop using poisonous pesticides and herbicides (such as Paraquat products) which are creating toxic wastes going into our soil and further into our pristine waters. Let them know other organic non-toxic products are available which produce excellent results. When will our auto-dealers begin to offer hybrid cars to increase the efficiency of our driving in the BVI? Our personal cost to drive will be reduced with better fuel efficiency. What about emission control regulations for vehicles? As we drive around and get behind some car or truck spewing toxic exhaust we wonder what regulations are in effect and, if there are any, are they enforced? When we go to build new development, whether our own home or a new resort, our construction management team must be required to use the latest technology to conserve water and energy. In addition, we must be given the right to utilize alternative energy sources. Government has its own challenge to do the research and begin to create sustainable energy for the entire BVI moving away from our dependency on oil. Our environment is all of our responsibility from a personal level to a government level. We are the custodians of our earth which in turn maintains our survival. Treat her well...


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