Is there a political party that will take up the challenge of an economy based on nature? Dr Anjani Ganase asks.
THE dialogue of elections in Trinidad and Tobago seems to be stuck on construction and crime. Meanwhile the world is shifting rapidly from the era of globalisation while enduring a climate crisis.
The health of our people is intertwined with the health of our environment. The same environment which provides clean water and food security also provides areas of learning for innovation, adaptation and education.
Should a vision of our future not set goals for conservation of nature today, and secure sustainability for future generations. Let us begin to craft a new manifesto and use it to guide us.
Preamble
Let us appreciate our land 5,128 sq km and ocean (77,502 sq km) resources that constitute the Caribbean island state of TT. Let us recognise that it is a tiny part of Earth but enough for all our people. Let us appreciate the diversity of our population with roots in every other part of Earth.
Recognising that all creatures on land and in the sea are not only alive and deserve life, but necessary for balance, well-being, and climate of our two islands in an immense ocean ecosystem in a Caribbean context as well as globally, let us adjust our thinking that a balanced economy is based on extraction and sale of oil and gas. Let us include all nature.
[caption id="attachment_1146443" align="alignnone" width="1024"] At Speyside, Goat island and Little Tobago. - Photo courtesy Pat Ganase[/caption]
Recognising our responsibility to care for the sea around the islands; and recognising how integral the water and land, mountains, rivers, trees, birds, animals, turtles, fish, toads, bees, insects are to the whole, let us align social and economic well-being with environmental well-being.
Recognising that the well-being of all human life on these lands, citizens and visitors, guests, of all ethnicities, genders, age, ability, secures the well-being of families, communities and underpins the health and prosperity of the nation state, let us consider the well-being of our land and seas as the foundation.
[caption id="attachment_1146449" align="alignnone" width="768"] Fresh water is precious on our islands: rivers should be protected. Uphill in the Northern Range, a tree falls in Rincon. - Photo courtesy Anjani Ganase[/caption]
Recognising that TT is a microcosm of Earth’s peoples, cited and studied as an example of harmony in diversity which is still evolving and must be actively sustained, let us cherish and enrich that diversity through respect for diversity in nature and diversity of expressions in the arts and culture.
Recognising that our land and ocean provide resources and benefits that must be managed, conserved and protected for the benefit of future generations, let us build mutually beneficial relationships with each other and the earth.
People first
As citizens of TT, our identity is rooted deeply in our land, sea and culture. We intend to be a people-centred society, flourish
