This current crisis is not the result of any natural phenomenon, but caused by nothing less than the impact of mankind. We have inhabited our planet for an estimated 3 to 4 million years as bipedal beings, gradually improving our abilities to adapt, improvise and to succeed as a species, even in the most remote and extreme conditions. Yet it is only in the past few hundred years that our impact has begun to inflict serious damage to our planet of a permanent and irreversible nature. The extent of this damage is accelerating at an alarming rate! We have, in fact, become too successful, expanding our numbers to populate every land mass available, driven by our unique curiosity, our ability to explore and to learn, to co-operate, to extract and exploit our natural resources and to invent. Almost inevitably we have arrived at a worldwide consumer society driven by ownership, cash, lending and spending, where success is measured in material terms and where true power is administered not by elected governments, but by the super wealthy.
A handful of informed scientists and environmentalists work tirelessly to set alarm bells ringing - to bring the crisis we are facing to our attention so that we might recognize the severity of our situation and do something about it. Both individually and collectively, nationally and internationally, urgent measures are needed to restrict or reverse the rapid impoverishment of our planet. Governments, however, are barely listening and measures so far adopted or being considered are "too little and too late". There are many reasons for this attitude of denial, but two major stumbling blocks appear to be:
1. The realisation by the big super rich corporations that by adopting such measures, their earnings will be compromised, unless they take a huge initiative to regain their competitive edge by getting back into creative mode and changing direction.
2. Complacency. This is an era of plenty, where almost everyone in the western world is incredibly well off in comparison to previous generations. Most live in a comfortable home with climate control, modern appliances, at least one television set, dvd player, music centre, personal computer etc., more toys than the kids will ever play with and a motor vehicle outside. We walk around with our digital watches, mobile phones, ipods, camcorders and a set of credit cards in our wallets. All our food requirements are met by the local supermarket down the road. Our favourite pastime has become shopping. We spend several hours a day in front of the television set and with so many channels to chose from, its prime function has become to advertise and entertain more than to inform. Audiences for some excellent news analysis programs and amazing documentaries are sadly dwindling. Even when the news channels broadcast some major atrocity or abuse of our democratic rights, the general reaction mustered is often no greater than "Oh how awful! Let's have another cup of tea".
 |
When measured in
global terms, Dominica's presence and impact is
minuscule. It is a small, comparatively young volcanic island in the
Eastern Caribbean with a land mass of less than 300 square miles and a
population of around 70,000. Due to its rugged terrain, not conducive
to development, Dominica has remained relatively unspoilt, much of the
landscape still cloaked
in primordial rainforests veined with rivers. There has, of course,
been some development but this has been fairly limited when
compared to that which has completely transformed our
neighbouring islands, in many ways to their detriment. Dominica is
known as the "Nature Island of the Caribbean". Dominicans, both at home
and abroad, are fiercely proud of their beautiful nature island, boast
about it and wish to keep it that way. It's many mountains, some
approaching 5,000ft. in height, generate much rainfall, hence the lush
green vegetation which dominates the landscape. Fresh, unpolluted air
off the Atlantic, fertile soil, a tropical climate, an
abundance of natural healthy locally grown food plus an
active outdoor lifestyle, have all contributed to Dominica being home
to
more
centenarians per head of population than any other country in the
world. |
As this website is developed further, we will be examining the earth - the mechanics of how it works - its place in the solar system, our galaxy and the universe; the conditions for life on earth - how they came about and how they are now being compromised to the future disadvantage of our successors. We have to fully understand the problem (and make sure our leaders do also) before we can formulate and implement a global solution that will work. We will also be taking a look at tiny Dominica and the roll it can play in demonstrating how to live a relatively modern lifestyle yet in harmony with nature. Organic farming is still in its infancy but gaining momentum. Already almost half our electricity supply comes from hydro - but we can do better. Geothermal is being explored, wind and solar can also contribute.
100% renewable energy for our national grid should be goal number 1.
Phasing out agro chemicals and transforming the island to a totally organic farming nation should be goal number 2.
Strict planning control is also essential to ensure the development that takes place is handled sensitively and sympathetically to our natural surroundings, thus in keeping with our Nature Isle concept.
Implemented sensibly these changes could prove financially advantageous, reducing our expense and dependence on polluting fossil fuels, on fluctuating oil prices on the world market and our reliance on health threatening and environmentally destructive imported agro chemicals. Then 'agro tourism' and 'energy tourism' could become bywords - ways for Dominica to demonstrate its benefit from these positive adaptations. Our pristine forests become more valuable with each passing day, as elsewhere the rainforests of the tropics are being cut down at a disturbing rate. An area of rainforest the size of Scotland is currently being destroyed each year, along with the fragile network of life it supports. That is not sustainable!
 |
|
An introduction to
our tiny island paradise |
 |
|
The Earth - it's
place in our Solar System, the Milky Way and the
Universe |
 |
|
The banana sector in
Dominica has suffered as a result of the farm barons of North America
exploiting cheap labour and undervalued currencies of the Latino
countries of South and Central America |
 |
Global warming is
accelerating. It is
widely believed to be mainly CO2 induced.
Do we, collectively, have the common
sense, determination and ability to reverse it in
time to give our descendants a
fair chance of survival? |
|