11 September 2009
Joining The Dots Autumn Part 2
Welcome
There have been many excellent initiatives over recent years from numerous groups covering the entire spectrum of environmental and sustainability issues. Although governments around the world are often expected to take the lead in this area, it has become clear that we must each take personal responsibility to care for our planet.
Joining The Dots was launched last year by G-CAN, a group of diverse Guernsey people who share a passion for improving the sustainability of our island community.
Although an ardent recycler, I personally had never appreciated the issue of global environmental pressures within a Guernsey context. Last year's excellent Joining The Dots event opened my eyes to the reality of Guernsey's role in the challenges facing the world. As I watched our young daughter growing quickly before my eyes, her future and the island's future became entwined. I wanted to make sure my generation learned from the Native American proverb in last year's Joining The Dots booklet which talked about us not inheriting the planet from our forefathers, but rather borrowing it from our children. It was, and is, a very powerful reminder that the actions we take now as a society, will very much influence the quality of life our children will inherit from us.
Every decision we take now, whether individually or in our professional capacity will have a real and lasting bearing on how our island environment will cope with the strains and stresses we place on it, regardless of the global impact from climate change. Guernsey has to balance the need for short term solutions with the need to provide future generations with a home land that remains as sustainable for them, as it has been for us and our predecessors - an immense challenge for us all!
Government, businesses, and the community at large must come together and understand that creating sustainable systems should be an absolute priority. Although often seen as expensive, a nuisance or even 'somebody else's problem', avoiding the necessary investment now will result in much greater costs later as was clearly stated in the Stern report.
Environmentalists have long been warning that 'time is running out' and that decisive actions are both critical and essential. Current statistics are proving them right.
This December world leaders will gather at the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen to agree a global strategy for the way forward. As one of the world's wealthiest jurisdictions, Guernsey should be happy to play its part in finding sustainable solutions. The 'Environmental Policy Plan' recently published by the Environment Department is a good step in helping to shape our future strategy by making a quality ecoGuernsey a realistic objective, something we should all aspire to.
Joining the Dots again showcases current initiatives, encourages debate over the changes needed and provides opportunities to get involved. From art to local food, architecture to our beaches, from films to presentations - there is something for everyone.
Paul Luxon
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