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In 2005, Ms Gina Brooks, a young Anguillian professional who has worked with
both government and non-government agencies, co-authored a book that serves as a
guide for small island states as they try to adapt to a changing world and a
changing climate.
Explaining the connection between Anguilla and climate change, Ms Brooks says
that the island’s small size, flat topography, fragile natural environment, and
financial dependence on natural resources makes it especially vulnerable.
Moreover, while the leading causes of climate change may largely be originating
in developed or rapidly developing countries, the impacts are being
disproportionately felt by those that are under-developed.
More specifically, increased global temperatures mean that some places in the
world will experience longer periods of drought while others will have to deal
with heavier and longer wet periods and flooding. Forest fires are expected to
occur more often and over larger tracts of land. Food production patterns will
shift as will land that will be available for agriculture. The polar ice caps
are already melting faster than ever. This means that water levels will rise –
perhaps faster than the fragile coastal habitats on which we depend can adapt.
Coral reefs and seagrass beds that help protect and maintain our shorelines, not
to mention support two of Anguilla’s most important industries, fishing and
tourism, would be affected. Beaches could also be lost to rising waters and
fishing stocks could be devastated by the loss of critical habitat. Ground water
supplies and even top soil could be contaminated by an influx of sea water.
Storms and hurricanes are expected to be both stronger and more frequent.
Millions of people across the world could be put at risk from hunger, hundreds
of millions from malaria and other infectious diseases, and billions from water
shortages.
It is a frightening picture. But this does not have to be the end of the story.
Earth Day reminds us that we have an opportunity to make a difference – at
local, regional, and international levels, as well as on the political and
individual fronts.
Governments and scientists alike agree that by 2050, global greenhouse gas
emissions need to be reduced by at least 30 to 50% below the levels measured in
1990. This will not be easy and it will require some serious and difficult
choices to be made, but the result will be well worth it.
Right now, Anguilla is entirely dependent on foreign fuels. The price of oil
rose to a record high of US$115 per barrel this week. The increase in cost will
be felt at the gas pump not to mention in the electric bill and at the grocery
store. We need to start looking at and using the alternatives.
One of the most important ways that we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions is by
changing the ways we create and use energy. Serious money can be made in an
energy revolution that, for Anguilla, could involve developing and using solar
and wind power.
According to the David Suzuki Foundation, the solar energy industry is growing
at a rate of 30% a year. Right now, it is a US$1.5 billion industry and if it
continues to grow at this rate, in ten years, it could be worth US$24 billion.
Harnessing solar energy involves converting the sun’s energy into electricity
and heat forms that we can use for agriculture, heating water, and providing
power to those not on the regular power grid. Its initial high cost is offset by
a long life and minimal maintenance.
Wind power is one of the most efficient and clean types of energy we can get.
Every unit of energy generated by wind power corresponds to a reduction in
greenhouse gas emissions of almost 100%. Wind is the fastest growing energy
source in the world and it is actually competing with electricity traditionally
produced by the burning of fossil fuels. Over the past four years, Danish wind
turbine manufacturers have quadrupled production. If this rate continues, in 15
years, every person in Denmark could be employed by the industry. In fact (and
in general), alternative energy industries employ four times more people than
those based on conventional energy production. Thus, these industries not only
can help us to reduce our greenhouse gas/carbon footprint, but also support
vibrant economies around the world as well. And a healthy global economy means a
healthy Anguillian economy.
While we need to call on our governments to support and invest in alternative
energy industries on-island, there are small, easy changes that you can make to
your daily routine that will reduce your own greenhouse gas emissions. And while
you are helping to save the planet, you are also saving money.