Green
economy simply put is an economy whose growth in
income and employment is driven by public and private investments that reduce
carbon emissions and pollution, enhance energy and resource efficiency, and
prevent the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Of
course the ideal would be for sustainable management of all bio-resources which
would ensure perpetuity while simultaneously achieving socio-economic success. In
that case all would be happy. Man would be employed and productive so poverty
would be minimal or non-existent while biodiversity would be conserved and
preserved ensuring a healthy balanced environment. Of course like I previously
said that’s the ideal, this would happen in a perfect world. The world not
being perfect, does this mean that human kind must just give up or allow a
selected few to do as they please to the detriment of others without being held
accountable? Of course not!
I
am of the opinion that these commemorative days like; World Environment day,
World Forest Day, World Earth day and the many others, are there to help us
take stock of our actions, allowing us to reflect and chart a better way
forward and unifying us towards a greater good. It would be sad to think that
we have become desensitized and think “oh it’s another one of those
commemorative days, so what!” St. Lucia as a small island developing state is
among the most vulnerable to global issues such as climate change and the fact
that we rely so heavily on tourism it is imperative that we strike a balance
between economic development and biodiversity conservation. It is our
responsibility.
This
year’s theme, Green Economy: Does it include you? Seeks to do just that, after all the planet
belongs to all of us and so does it’s resources, it’s a common heritage. We all
need to get a piece of the pie as citizens of this earth. The green
economy is described as one that results in improved human well-being
and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and
ecological scarcities. It cannot be business as usual. Policy support for investing
in green sectors and in greening environmental unfriendly sectors is necessary
if the green economy initiative is to be successful.
I
hope I have given you the readers some food for thought and remember to do
something to protect your environment. There is so much which can be done.
Reduce your waste (reduce, reuse, recycle) just by using an eco-friendly
shopping bag when you do your groceries. Plant a tree. Don’t litter. Join an
environmental club which is proactive and do lots of environmentally friendly
activities and there are lots out there.
The
thing is to get involved. Happy Environment Day to all! It should not just be a
June 5th thing but a lifestyle. Be
an agent for change in support of sustainable and equitable development.
