EDITORIAL
As we observe some of the local and international trends around us, it behoves us to think on how we can help ourselves more as a nation and as a community.
The proposed expansion of the Desalination Plant on Spring Garden Highway comes at a time when global concerns about potable water are dramatically increasing. Cape Town in South Africa is so severely impacted, that it announced “Day Zero” – when taps to residential and commercial customers are turned off because of low reservoirs – was fast approaching. At present, “Day Zero” is forecast for May 11, a startling development in a city where such a fate was practically unthinkable over 20 years ago. Now, contending with changes in climate patterns, over development and an increase in population, the city is one of several around the world coming face to face with what some foresee in the future as conflict over the most precious resources in the world.
Barbados has experienced its own droughts in the past – the most recent one lasted nine months and severely over-impacted rural parishes – means we are fully aware of the pitfalls. In fact the plant on Spring Garden was conceptualised after one of our worst droughts in the 1994-1995 period. As such the proposed expansion will produce an additional 15 000 cubic meters per day, over its current 30 000 cubic meters daily. This island is designated a water scarce country by the United Nations; we would do well to see the patterns around us and take any future, forward-thinking steps that could reduce or eliminate any potential threats in years to come, including ensuring that each home is equipped with its own water tank.
Another discerning move must be the use of renewable energy to fuel our nation. For a country that has an overabundance of sunshine a visionary move would entail having every building on this island outfitted with photovoltaic technology to harness the sun’s rays and become the first nation in the world fully powered by the sun.
We acknowledge the point made by the Barbados Renewable Energy Association that government still has more to do to push the growth of the sector, despite the existing frameworks already provided. However, the public would be well advised to start investing in the industry according to budget, for example, purchasing one photovoltaic device at a time until the entire house can be partially or fully solar-powered. Our schools could also be retrofitted for solar functionality, we believe, via private/public partnerships, while exposing our children to the technology and science from an early age.
Where food is concerned, our import bill climbs every year, with most recent estimates placing it at over $500 million annually. While we acknowledge that the palate of Barbadians has evolved, there are basic provisions such as ground foods, fruits, vegetables and meats that our country should be producing without having to import from other countries. In fact, each household could be doing its part through small kitchen gardens. There’s plenty of advice that can be secured from local farmers or the Internet, and one can easily start the ball rolling with a few pots or containers, especially if space is a challenge.
Barbadians have traditionally been resourceful, but for myriad reasons, perhaps we have become too accustomed to expecting others to do the work for us. While government has its role to play, we must also return to the days when we provide for ourselves. If we go back to such visionary thinking, it is bound to set this country on a most industrious and productive track.