by Larry Smith
The Cape Eleuthera Institute says it will research ways to make the island of Eleuthera a model of sustainability in terms of energy, food production and waste recycling
The goal is to power the island with clean renewable energy and promote high-quality local food production through aquaponics. The Institute defines sustainability as “the production of goods and services in fundamental alignment with natural systems.”
In the wake of the recent FREEDOM 2030 renewable energy conference, the Institute is assembling a team of experts to perform an island-wide study aimed at delivering a report with clear action plans and measurable benchmarks for creating a unique self-sufficient island.
"This is not a small task and we propose to execute it in stages, with the first phase covering the energy sector in depth, which we feel is most pressing on Eleuthera at present," according to a concept paper on the proposal.
"With government support we are confident that the bulk of the funding for a study can be raised through international agencies, private philanthropy and capital and on-island developers. We anticipate it will take approximately nine months to complete this study at a cost of $300,000.
The report says implementation of real solutions will require a combination of public and private nvestment. The critical ingredient is to provide an incentive for private investment that rewards each incremental unit of improvement, whether in water or electricity efficiency, increased renewable energy generation, or local food production.
The Freedom 2030 study aims to identify the best mix of customer-generated (net-metered) wind and solar energy, maximum penetrations of large utility-scale renewable power, and the feasibility of adding biofuels to existing generation assets.
Things that are brought on to the island must be recyclable or compostable. And small-scale local businesses need to be stimulated to use these materials for manufacture, energy, or soil amendment.
The current practice of dumping trash in unlined pits and burning it, in conjunction with the amount of litter visible everywhere on the island, is simply incompatible with a robust tourist economy or the health of ecosystems on which it depends.
Integrated aquaculture and hydroponics systems (aquaponics) that recycle water in a closed-loop can be part of an improved system of local food production, reducing both cost and fuel use needed to provide for the island residents and visitors.
"There is a tremendous opportunity for Eleuthera and the Bahamas to do something never done before. The Bahamas can and should be a model for the world proving that a small island nation can be self-sufficient. This is both an economic and national security issue that will set Eleuthera as a leader in the inevitable shift away from dependence on fossil fuels."
Sounds like a wonderful dream. What about recycling of glass and metals? What about marketing? Do they need posters? ;D
Posted by: Tracy Toogood | February 26, 2008 at 08:56 PM