The following remarks were delivered by Clay Sweeting on behalf of Hon. Kenred Dorsett, Minister for the Environment and Housing at a Symposium On Tourism And Coastal Development  hosted by The Island School at Cape Eleuthera  on Thursday April 18th, 2013. The event was held to connect, governments, developers, scientists and educators and other stakeholders in a panel discussion on stated subject.

 


Mr. Clay Sweeting, addressing the audience at the April 18th,  symposium at the Island School

 

SALUTATION Administrator Margaret Symonette, Administrator Charles King, Mr. Philip McPhee – Chief Counselor, Mr. Leviticus Anderson – Town Chairman, Mr. Eric Carey – Executive Director, Bahamas National Trust, Mrs. Eleanor Philips – Director, The Nature Conservancy, Mr. Chris Maxey – Director of the Island School, Ms. Jasmine Hudson – Officer in Charge, Department of Customs, Mr. Teri Sands – Ministry of Tourism, Central Government Representative from the Department of Environmental Services, Water and Sewerage and the Department of Education.

Good Morning.

IN THE LEAD UP TO THIS NATION’S INDEPENDENCE IN 1972, A WHITE PAPER ON INDEPENDENCE WAS PRESENTED TO PARLIAMENT. THAT PAPER INFORMED THE GOVERNMENT THAT “OUR TOTAL SKILLS MUST BE DIRECTED TOWARDS MAINTAINING AN ECONOMIC CLIMATE WHICH WILL ENCOURAGE BOTH DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN ENTERPRISES OF A TYPE WHICH IS SENSITIVE TO THE SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE AND TO THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT WHICH MUST BE PROTECTED AS ONE OF OUR GREAT NATIONAL ASSETS.”

DURING THE FORTY YEARS SINCE INDEPENDENCE, WITHIN THE AMBIT OF OUR STABLE DEMOCRACY, THE BAHAMAS HAS SUCCESSFULLY BUILT ITS ECONOMY ON TWO MAJOR PILLARS – TOURISM AND FINANCIAL SERVICES.   WHILE FINANCIAL SERVICES REMAIN A SUBSTANTIAL CONTRIBUTION TO OUR GROWTH AS A NATION, TOURISM REMAINS THE CHIEF ECONOMIC DRIVER.  THIS INDUSTRY HAS GENERATED EMPLOYMENT, INCREASED GROSS INCOME AND PRODUCTION AND ASSISTED THE COUNTRY TO BALANCE ITS BUDGET.
IN AN EFFORT TO MODERNIZE ITS INFRASTRUCTURE AND ALIGN ITS ACTIVITIES WITH THE REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL WORLD, THE BAHAMAS HAS OFTEN USED TOURISM AS ITS AGENT FOR DEVELOPMENT.  THE WHOLE BAHAMAS, INCLUDING ELEUTHERA, HAS BENEFITED FROM THESE TOURISTIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS.  HOWEVER, NOT ALL PROJECTS WERE ENVIRONMENTALLY BENIGN AND YET OTHERS NEVER CAME TO FRUITION; AND IN BOTH OF THESE SCENARIOS, THERE WERE NO TANGIBLE BENEFITS FOR LOCAL COMMUNITIES.  THERE WAS ALWAYS A BALANCE BETWEEN DEVELOPMENTS AND PROTECTION FO THE ENVIRONMENT.  RECOGNIZING THAT THE ENVIRONMENT NEEDED FOCUS ATTENTION, IN 2006, THE GOVERNMENT ESTABLISHED THE MINISTRY OF ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT TO GIVE FOCUSED ATTENTION TO MATTERS RELATED TO THE ENVIRONMENT.   TODAY, THE MINISTRY OF THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND HOUSING CARRIES ON THE TRADITION OF AFFORDING PLANNING FOR, AND PROTECTION OF, THE ENVIRONMENT.

THE EVIDENCE THAT THERE HAS BEEN A PARADIGM SHIFT IN THE PRIMACY OF THE ENVIRONMENT IS THE CONTINUED EMPHASIS ON PROMOTION OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT.  WITH SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AS A GUIDING PRINCIPLE, THE GOVERNMENT MUST CONCERN ITSELF WITH THE OPTIMUM USE OF RESOURCES, INCLUDING BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY, WHILE MINIMIZING THE ECOLOGICAL, CULTURAL AND SOCIAL IMPACTS AND MAXIMIZING THE BENEFITS OF CONSERVATION BY ALL OF OUR COMMUNITIES.  THE EFFICIENT UTILIZATION OF RESOURCES MUST YIELD ECONOMIC GROWTH, BUT NOT IN ISOLATION OF PRESERVING OUR PATRIMONY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. 

THIS IS WHY HEADS OF AGREEMENTS FOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS ARE APPROVED AFTER ADVICE FROM THE ENVIRONMENT AGENCIES AND ADVISORY BODIES SUCH AS THE BAHAMAS ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE COMMISSION, THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, THE DEPARTMENT OF MARINE RESOURCES HAS BEEN RECEIVED AND REVIEWED.  THIS PROCESS HAS PERMITTED THE GOVERNMENT TO SUCCESSFULLY MAKE DECISIONS WITH SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN MIND. 
DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS THAT ORIGINATE WITH INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPERS REQUIRE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLANS.  SO WHILE ECONOMIC GROWTH IS FOSTERED, PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND IMPROVEMENT TO THE NATION’S QUALITY OF LIFE ALSO WEIGH HEAVILY IN THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS. 

THE QUESTION THAT BEGS AN ANSWER IS “WHY IS THE TRANSITION TO A MORE SUSTAINABLE SOCIETY TAKING SO LONG?” IS IT THE LACK OF CAPITAL? IS IT A LACK OF KNOWLEDGE?  IS IT A LACK OF MOTIVATION?  INTERNATIONAL SURVEYS HAVE SHOWN THAT THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE LIVING IN THE WORLD TODAY AND RIGHT HERE IN OUR BAHAMALAND, WISH TO LIVE AND WORK MORE SUSTAINABLY.  OUR GOVERNANCE MODEL REQUIRES AND EMPOWERS OUR LEADERS TO HARNESS AND PROMOTE CREATIVITY AND ACT UPON THE OPPORTUNITIES AS THEY ARE PRESENTED. WITH CONSTANTLY CHANGING SOCIETIES, INCREASING COMPETITION, CONSTANT IMPROVEMENTS IN TECHNOLOGY AND THE NEED FOR CONSIDERATION OF CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES IN INTERNATIONAL MARKETS, THE GOVERNMENT IS CONSTANTLY LOOKING FOR WAYS TO MARRY NATIONAL AND CULTURAL VALUES WITH THE METHODOLOGY OF DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS.  THE TOUGHEST TASK FOR THE GOVERNMENT IS EFFECTING CHANGE.  GETTING THE NATION TO CHANGE ITS WAY OF THINKING, BEHAVIOR AND PRACTICES HAS NOT BEEN EASY.  AND THIS IS WHERE THE CITIZENRY PLAYS A PIVOTAL ROLE.

WE ARE FACING CHANGE IN THE WAY WE SOURCE ENERGY AS WE SEEK TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT.  CABINET HAS APPOINTED A NATIONAL ENERGY TASK FORCE TO FINALIZE A NATIONAL ENERGY POLICY AND TO ADVISE ON THE APPLICATION OF RENEWAL ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES, AND THE CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES TO REDUCE ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND REDUCE OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT.  THE DECISIONS AND WORK OF THIS GROUP WILL BE FELT IN ALL THE FAMILY ISLANDS.  A NUMBER OF INITIATIVES ARE UNDERWAY FOR IMPROVEMENTS IN HOW WE LIVE AND CO EXIST WITH OUR ENVIRONMENT. THESE INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

  1. ESTABLISHMENT OF A SOLID WASTE COMMITTEE THAT WILL FOCUS ON THE MANAGEMENT OF LANDFILLS AND WASTE-TO-ENERGY OPTIONS FOR NEW PROVIDENCE AND THE FAMILY ISLANDS;
  2. CONSIDERATION OF THE CREATION OF RECYCLING AND ENERGY PARKS AT LANDFILLS;
  3. AN EXAMINATION OF HOW THE COST OF ELECTRICITY IN THE BAHAMAS CAN BE REDUCED;
  4. CONTINUATION OF A PILOT PROJECT WITH THE INSTALLATION OF SOLAR WATER HEATER AND PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS IN HOMES ON NEW PROVIDENCE AND THE FAMILY ISLANDS THAT WILL ASSIST HOMEOWNERS TO REDUCE THEIR ELECTRICITY COSTS;
  5. SATISFACTION OF THE GOAL OF THE CARIBBEAN CHALLENGE FOR US TO PUT ASIDE 20% OF THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT FOR  MARINE PROTECTED AREAS BY 2020 TO 2014;
  6. EXPANSION OF THE MARINE PROTECTED AREAS; AND
  7. ADVANCING THE BAHAMAS PROTECTED AREAS FUND BILL.

THE MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT & HOUSING IS INVOLVING OUR CHILDREN IN ENTERPRISES TO PRESERVE THE ENVIRONMENT. THEY ARE, AFTER ALL, THE LEADERS OF TOMORROW. , THESE PLANS INCLUDE:

  1. CREATING AN ENVIRONMENTAL YOUTH AMBASSADOR PROGRAMME FOR CHILDREN IN SCHOOLS; AND     
  2. CREATING AN ENVIRONMENTAL CADET CORPS (A SATURDAY PROGRAMME FOR CHILDREN TO VOLUNTEER THEIR SERVICES FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT WITH THE OPPORTUNITIES TO BE INVOLVED WITH ACTIVITIES SUCH AS RECYCLING AND CLEANING BEACHES).

OUR QUEST FOR PROTECTING AND PRESERVING THE ENVIRONMENT SUPPORTED BY THE BAHAMAS NATIONAL TRUST AND THE NATURE CONSERVANCY.  WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THEIR ASSISTANCE AND ALSO FOR OUR TIES WITH FRIENDS OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE BAHAMAS REEF ENVIRONMENT EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION. 

ON THE ISLAND OF ELEUTHERA, WE HAVE SEEN LEADERSHIP EXHIBITED BY THE ONE ELEUTHERA FOUNDATION.  I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO COMMEND THE MEMBERS OF THE ONE ELEUTHERA FOUNDATION FOR SEEING AND ACTING ON AN OPPORTUNITY TO SUSTAINABLY DEVELOP THE ISLAND OF ELEUTHERA. I HAVE PERUSED YOUR “SHARED VISION FOR SOUTH ELEUTHERA,” WHICH TAKES INTO CONSIDERATION THE PLANNED DEVELOPMENT OF THE ISLANDS’ INFRASTRUCTURE, WHILE TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE ENVIRONMENT, ECONOMY, ISLANDWIDE INTERCONNECTIONS AND ITS CULTURE AND WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO THE ISLAND IN GENERAL, AND THOUGHT THAT IS WAS A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.  TODAY, I INVITE YOU TO MEET WITH ME TO DISCUSS YOUR PLAN WITH A VIEW TO INCORPORATING THEM IN THE GOVERNMENT’s PLAN FOR CREATING A SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT BLUEPRINT FOR THIS BEAUTIFUL ISLAND AND PROTECT IT FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT THAT MAY FOLLOW INVESTING HOTELIERS.  THIS MINISTRY STANDS READY TO SUPPORT YOUR EFFORTS.

I MUST COMMEND THE LEADERSHIP OF THE ISLAND SCHOOL WHOSE ACTIVITIES HAVE POSITIVELY IMPACTED THE ISLAND OF ELEUTHERA. THE SCHOOL’S LEADERSHIP HAS HARNESSED FOREIGN INVESTMENT TO ENCOURAGE BAHAMIAN ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND PROVIDED EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR BAHAMIANS FROM ENTRY LEVEL TO MANAGEMENT POSITIONS.  THE ISLAND SCHOOL HAS PROMOTED THE USE OF CLEAN ENERGY THROUGH ITS RENEWABLE ENERGY, RECYCLING, AND ITS WATER CONSERVATION METHODS. I APPRECIATE THE ISLAND SCHOOL PARTNERING WITH THE MINISTRY TO ENCOURAGE:

  • SHARING ELECTRICITY THROUGH GRID-INTERTIE;
  • USING CISTERNS FOR PRESERVING WATER;
  • USING LOCAL MATERIALS IN MANY NEW AND INTRIGUING WAY; AND
  • PROMOTING WASTEWATER GARDENS AND THE USE OF BIO-DIGESTERS IN HOUSING PROJECTS.

THE ISLAND SCHOOL’S LEADERSHIP TRANSCENDS THE BOUNDARIES OF THE ISLAND OF ELEUTHERA THROUGH ITS DEEP CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL WHICH IS THE FIRST ECO-SCHOOL IN THE REGION.
APPRECIATION IS ALSO EXTENDED TO THE KINSHIP FELLOWS WATERSHED AND COSTAL RESILIENCY AFFINITY GROUP FOR TAKING THE INITIATIVE TO STRENGTHEN TIES WITH THE ISLAND OF ELEUTHERA AND FOR SPENDING SOME FOUR (4) DAYS MEETING SHAKEHOLDERS, OBSERVING LOCAL CONDITIONS AND PROPOSING MARKET-BASED SOLUTIONS TO DETERMINE –

  • IF THERE IS A VIABLE BONEFISH MARKET FOR TOURISTS;
  • HOW BLUE CARBON PRINCIPALS CAN BE APPLIED ON THE ISLAND OF ELEUTHERA; AND
  • WHICH OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES EXISTS FOR LAND AND MARINE PARKS IN ELEUTHERA.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE GREATEST EFFECTOR OF CHANGE IS EDUCATION. WE HAVE TO FIRST EQUIP OURSELVES WITH THE RELEVANT INFORMATION AND CHALLENGE OURSELVES TO BECOME BETTER STEWARDS OF THE ENVIRONMENT.  MORE EFFORT WILL BE MADE TO EDUCATE OUR INVESTORS AND ASSIST THEM IN APPRECIATING THAT THE BAHAMAS EXPECTS RESPONSIBLE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT WITH DEEP  RESPECT FOR OUR PRISTINE ENVIRONMENT.
FOR THE STUDENTS AND UP-COMING LEADERS OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE ROOM, SUSTAINABILITY OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES ARE VERY COMPLEX AND ARE DEEPLY ROOTED IN PEOPLE’S CULTURES AND BELIEFS.  THEREFORE, TOMORROW’S LEADERS WILL NEED CERTAIN CORE QUALITIES TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS.  FUTURE LEADERS NEED

TO BE ABLE TO:

  1. THINK IN SYSTEMS, TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEMS AND DRIVE THE CHANGE TO A SOLUTION;
  2. KNOW HOW TO FACILITATE KNOWLEDGE SHARING, ENSURE STAKEHOLDER OWNERSHIP AND ENCOURAGE INNOVATION;
  3. ENCOURAGE COMMUNITY SERVICE AND ETHICAL BEHAVIOR;
  4. BE MOTIVATED BY PERSONAL VALUES AND NOT FINANCIAL GAIN;
  5. PUSH THE ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABLE AGENDA, TAKE THE ISSUES PERSONALLY; AND
  6. LEAD WITH THE HEART AND SERVE RATHER THAN RULE.

AS A COUNTRY, WE NO LONGER NEED TO CHOOSE DEVELOPMENT OVER THE ENVIRONMENT.  THE NATURE OF OUR COUNTRY AND ITS ECONOMY PERMITS A SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AND DEVELOPMENT.  THROUGH  EDUCATION AND KNOWLEDGE, WE RECOGNIZE THAT DEVELOPMENT CAN BE ACHIEVED WITHOUT DETRIMENT TO THE ENVIRONMENT. THE LEADERS OF TODAY AND THOSE OF TOMORROW THAT MUST STEP OUTSIDE THE BOX AND LOOK AT  SYSTEMS, IDENTIFY PROBLEMS AND PUSH THE ENVIRONMENTAL AGENDA FOR THE BENEFIT OF BAHAMIANS NOW AND GENERATIONS TO COME.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION.