+ News and Press
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GREEN SOLUTIONS
Start ’08 with Green Resolutions
Featured in "The Cayman Islands Journal",
January 2008
By Chris Weaver, Manager, Island Supply
This month we bring you a new column filled with sensible
solutions to the issue of going green. We have all seen the
Green revolution gathering momentum around us. There
can be no doubt that the environmental choices we all make
now will affect the future of our planet.
We have a unique opportunity here in Cayman to be an example
to the Caribbean and the rest of the world; we can maintain
our beautiful beaches and aquatic life before they become
another environmental casualty.
It is easy to think that the problem is so vast that we cannot
make a difference on an individual level. We need to ignore
this response because the only way to solve the problem is
if everyone starts demanding environmentally sound products
and services.
Let’s forget about the scientific or political
debate for a minute and let’s bring back good old fashioned
common sense. If we continue to pollute our atmosphere and
the oceans at current rates the results may be irreversible.
Far from scaremongering, the purpose of this column is to
examine ways in which we can make a difference at a local
level here in Cayman. As it’s the time of year for making
resolutions, let’s look at ways we can all make a difference
in 2008 We can start at home by reducing our energy consumption,
think about the following options and see how they can be
applied to our daily lives.
For a start we can choose energy efficient appliances for
the home and reduce consumption by switching off items not
being used, e. g. turn off computer monitors when not in use.
We can easily change out traditional light bulbs for the energy
efficient variety available everywhere these days.
For a start, how about insulating your property to reduce
loss of air conditioning. At this time of year experiment
using the soft fresh breezes to cool your home. Stop wasting
energy on the boiler for hot water; this is an archaic way
of supplying hot water, just like constantly boiling a kettle.
There are in line gas and electric systems that are more cost
effective and heat water on demand, thereby reducing electricity
cost and waste.
Consider solar panels: there are many experts available locally.
Initial costs are soon off set by the long term savings and
it reduces the reliance on environmentally damaging fossil
fuels.
Choose a more energy efficient mode of transport. Now, I
am not saying we should all start pedalling to work, but we
could make our next vehicle choice with the environment in
mind. Do we need a gas guzzler? Or can we explore the advances
that some car manufacturers have made in reducing emissions.
Reducing emissions is something we can all do and still get
to work on time.
Separate waste. I know we don’t have recycling in Cayman
yet, but it is coming. We need to start thinking about separating
cardboard, glass, plastic and organic waste. The Department
of Environment are implementing change but they need us to
demand it. As we take our Christmas waste to the dumpster
let’s consider how we can reduce it next year.
When shopping use a reusable tote or shopping bag, this
is already being facilitated by the supermarkets. It’s
our choice, and we should be embarrassed using all those plastic
bags Use refillable bottles for drinking water, stop buying
plastic bottles needlessly. With a little planning we can
stop wasting plastic and reuse containers like our forefathers.
Stop using bleach and other chemicals that are harmful to
aquatic life. There are many other environmentallyfriendly
products now available which do not contain solvents
and are not toxic.
Let’s make our own green resolutions for 2008 and whether
we act as an individual or as part of an organisation, our
very act of requiring change, coupled with increased environmental
awareness will ensure that changes will happen.
