January 24, 2023
We have to take note of the early 2023 initiatives from Barbados and Colombia, both with environmentally friendly projects financed by the Inter-American Development Bank. This is the right tone to set for the new year, letting the world know that this region is committed about transforming this world into a more cleaner and environmentally friendly place.
The Caribbean just cannot get around the seriousness of keeping our marine life clean, such is the case in Barbados with the marine special planning process. This MSP process builds upon Barbados’s long time work on marine ecosystems and environmental governance. Barbados’s Coastal Zone Management Unit is the agency tasked with the overall supervision of Barbados’s marine life.
The Government of Barbados is committed to ensuring that the island’s coastal waters are maintained at acceptable international standards. The Marine Pollution Control Act makes provision for the prevention, reduction and control of pollution of the marine environment in Barbados from whatever source.
This MSP project will bode well for Barbados to further lead the way on marine environmental protection and management.
Colombia on the other hand is trying to solve another problem in the region and something that is more acute to the Central American and South American region and that is the reliable provision of energy. While the Caribbean proper has energy related issues, but nothing on the historical scale of Central America.
The IDB approved a $34.5 million loan to finance an energy efficiency program for the residential and public sector in the Caribbean coast area of Colombia. The project will cut consumption and educate citizens about conservation methods.
We would endeavour to say that Colombia- as many other countries in the Central American region- needs increases supply and for their transmission and distribution system to be upgraded and simultaneously invest in renewable energy.
But education on energy conservation is a fantastic addition to the other efforts in energy maintenance.