conference magazine - Caribbean Environmental Health Institute

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approach is particularly targeted towards engaging young people
with a view to changing behaviour and influencing future
generations. Our Planet is proud to be partnering with other
regional institutions such as Caribbean Environmental Health
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Institute (CEHI) and regional programmes like CREDP
(Caribbean Renewable Energy Development Programme implemented
by CARICOM Secretariat and funded by the German
Government) to provide advisory services to local businesses
and individuals on responsible resource use and management.
Our Planet will also be working with the OECS Secretariat,
CREDP and CARILEC to reach out and support initiatives
throughout the entire Caribbean region. Our Planet will organise
regional expert workshops to exchange experience and build
partnerships and will be providing support to the Caribbean
Community (CARICOM) to set up an energy stakeholder platform
which will work on the design and implementation of a regional
sustainable energy roadmap. In addition, a number of
local businesses in St Lucia across a wide range of sectors
(tourism, food and beverages, energy service providers, etc.)
have already expressed their wish to commit sponsorship funding
to Our Planet.
Our Planet is an environmental social enterprise and offers a
model where the results are truly triple bottom line: environmentally,
socially and economically sustainable. Entrance fees
charged to visitors will cover operating costs and be used to
fund local and regional initiatives such as training/education
programmes, drafting of environmental guidelines, setting up
revolving funds, promotion of renewable energies and energy
efficiency, private sector initiatives, etc. As awareness of the
importance of combating climate change and pressure on resources
increase, particularly for island states, this represents
an opportunity for such an enterprise to make an even greater
contribution.
Water Variability and Climate Change Related Response
Measures in Tuvalu by Pisi Seleganiu and Catherine Moulogo
Tuvalu has little access to groundwater. What is available is
brackish and polluted. As such Tuvalu is reliant on household
rainwater harvesting. During dry periods, communities often
experience water shortages resulting in problems with health,
hygiene and sanitation. On the capital island of Funafuti, water
storage has been increased by 10,000 litres per household, and
a desalination plant introduced. Despite these measures, water
shortages are still prevalent. In addition to groundwater being
polluted, poorly constructed septic tanks contribute to pollution
in the lagoons and coastal areas. This pollution is dangerous to
the health of the community and contributes to the deterioration
of local marine ecosystems. This coral is particularly important
as it is Tuvalu’s natural defence against coastal erosion and sea
level rise as well as being a source of naturally occurring sand.
From the 2005 IWP (International Waters Project), dry sanitation
technology (composting toilets) was identified as a potential
solution to both issues. The GEF IWRM Tuvalu demonstration
project is introducing compost toilets in Tuvalu with the view to
changing a nation’s sanitation. A minimum of forty will be placed
in volunteer homes, supported by awareness campaigns, champions
and targeted engagement strategies. The aim of this demonstration
is an independent uptake of composting toilets by the community.
A challenge facing the introduction of composting toilets is the community’s
initial reluctance to accept the dry sanitation technology as
clean and hygienic. Nevertheless, as a result of awareness raising
activities, attitudes are changing; increased numbers of families are
requesting composting toilets. A major step forward in positive awareness
is the 91% of recent study participants who consider composting
toilets “a good idea”. The term “composting toilets” confused the community
and fed negative misconceptions. To create a positive association,
“Falevatie” is now the term used locally for toilets constructed by
the IWRM initiative; this is an abbreviation of “a toilet which saves
water and is good for you and the environment”. Composting toilets
have a vast potential for replication in other Small Island Developing
States. Not only are they financially sound - both cost effective and
efficient; the technology reduces water demand by 30% (in most
households), increasing the communities and individuals water use
efficiency, increasing sustainability and climate change resilience.
Moreover, composting toilets are especially important on coral atolls
where land quality and size is not sufficient to allow traditional management
of sewage and sludge.
An Approach to Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP)
in the Caribbean by Natalie Boodram
Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) is the production and
use of goods and services that respond to basic needs and contribute
to a better quality of life, while minimizing the use of natural resources,
toxic materials and emissions of waste and pollutants over
the entire life cycle of goods and services (Oslo Symposium, 1984).
SCP is a holistic framework which emphasizes process modification
and actions within the product lifecycle to minimize environmental
impacts rather than coping with environmental impacts post production.
SCP also emphasizes the modification of consumer behaviour
patterns. SCP is an important concept for Caribbean communities
given the region’s fragile ecosystems and a heavy reliance on and
potential degradation to natural resources e.g. for agriculture and
tourism. Additionally SCP is important in the reduction of environmental
impacts of imported goods e.g. proper product waste disposal.
This presentation outlines an approach to SCP in the Caribbean region.
It highlights key SCP principles, and presents SCP as a holistic
lens or framework for the reduction of the Caribbean carbon and environmental
footprint. The current status of SCP in the region will be
showcased within the context of regional and international initiatives.
Case studies from the tourism and agriculture sector will be presented.
The presentation will also highlight available regional and
international information resources for the business sector, government
agencies and all parties interested in implementing and furthering
SCP in the region.
“Communication” – The Missing “C” in Community-based Coping
with Climate Change in the Caribbean by Maria Protz
It is now widely recognized that Climate Change (CC) will have severe
impacts on small island developing states (SIDS) such as ours in
the Caribbean. What is less recognized, however, is that this adaptation
process will demand intensive social learning among a wide
variety of stakeholders. Unfortunately, what is even less appreciated
FIFTH BIENNIAL CARIBBEAN ENVIRONMENTAL FORUM AND EXHIBITION