by Larry Smith
One technology that could solve a range of environmental problems at the same time is the production of energy from garbage.
At least two firms are pursuing multi-million-dollar, waste-to-energy projects with the Ministry of Health, which is responsible for solid waste collection and disposal.
Innviron is a Florida-based firm that manages more than 40 solid waste facilities worldwide, including landfills, compost plants, recycling facilities, and hazardous waste treatment and disposal facilities. Innviron wants to sort and ship metals, plastics and paper for recycling overseas, compost organic waste, and capture landfill gas for energy production.
Meanwhile, a local group called Bahamas Renewable Energy Resources (headed by Waste-Not Ltd's Ginny McKinney) is proposing a thermal conversion process that will virtually eliminate landfills, compost organics and convert most solid waste to a non-toxic slag that can be used in road-building and block-making.
"As we reduce garbage by 90 per cent we will be able to power over 70,000 households on New Providence," Mrs McKinney told me, "as well as making millions of gallons of potable water through distillation."
Oil prices are expected to remain high and geopolitical issues are likely to cause supply disruptions, so it is more urgent than ever for small island developing states like the Bahamas to begin shifting their energy economy away from fossil fuels.
The plain fact is that within 20 years we may be unable to afford to buy the oil to run our economy. We are currently spending almost one sixth of our GDP on imported fossil fuel, and by all accounts that price tag will only go up. If the tanker doesn't come, the country will shut down.
To cut our dependence on fossil fuels requires aggressive energy conservation in the short term, as well as a policy framework to encourage research, development and investment in a range of alternatives. With a proper risk adjustment, the cost of not going aggressively after renewables is high.
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