Bold new world
Maldives and Jamaica are not dissimilar
Bold vision for the future, a responsible attitude, political will and consensus on the need for real action!
No – funnily enough, I’m not talking about Jamaican politicians.
It’s the President of the Maldives who’s said he’s going to make the islands carbon neutral in 10 years time. He’s got a workable plan – he’s going to build wind turbines – and he’s done the maths ; $110m a year over the next 10 years, but with savings from not having to import fuel means it will pay for itself within 11 years.
The Maldives, like Jamaica has a vested interest in taking drastic action on climate change. The Maldives are set to lose their low lying islands. Jamaica is being hit by frequent, massive hurricanes.
So what is Jamaica doing about it? What is the attitude of ordinary Jamaicans – is there any sense of urgency? of responsibilty? of threat? It’s true, there are a lot of things to worry about – money, stray bullets, but is that a valid excuse?
I’m looking around for environmental action in JA – there are plenty of grassroots initiatives – kids cleaning up the beaches,there’s an multi million dollar plan to collect rain water , planting a few saplings , and the Caribbean Climate Change Centre is busy it seems, doing analyses, but no bold initiatives like the Maldives plan of action.
[...] President of the Maldives plans to make the territory carbon neutral in 10 years; Jamaica Salt sees similarities between the islands and is “looking around for environmental action in [...]
I read in The Gleaner that some people in Portmore are using some small wind turbines to power their homes. Sounds like a plan!
they just need to it on a bigger scale now stunner – and solar power – that’s the only way JPS are gonna lower prices, when it sees it has competition.
Nina, copious thanks for raising this question and bringing it to the fore. Undoubtedly, we need to get much more involved in this area, in a similar manner to the Maldives, as opposed to being behind the curve.Nuff respect!!