Download 2010 Edition - Tropical Magazine

Letter from the Editor
For Lola,
For the first time in history, mankind’s development is
testing the limits of the biosphere. This indisputable
fact has led scientists from all over the world to support
intergovernmental efforts to curb the effects of human
activity and develop solutions for the future.
St. Barth is a micro-society which cannot escape the logic
of development. While economic growth and the drive
for profit and wealth are certainly nothing to be ashamed
about, we have come to
realize that they must be
balanced for the world and
indeed our island to be able
to preserve man’s harmony
with nature.
The nature of an island
society is such that we must
all participate in the quest
for harmonious solutions,
whether we be simple
citizens or economic,
social or political actors.
We must define the
type of development
we want, before we
define a strategy, lest
our efforts should be
vain.
"When one man dreams,
it's just a dream. But when many men
share the same dream,
that's the beginning of a new reality."
Friedrich Hundertwasser ( 1928-2000 )
In the wake of the upheaval our so-called advanced societies
have experienced in recent times, we have seen a new trend
emerge, which appears to precede economic and political
decisions in many countries. This trend is our growing
environmental consciousness. In France, for example, for
the first time economists have integrated new indicators
into the evaluation of the GDP, indicators of our well-being.
Ecology is no longer a romantic concept cuddled by a few
visionaries, who as early as the 1970’s chose to return to
the roots. The call today is different, it is taken up by citizens
of all classes in all countries, it is a call to reorganize our
societies, our economies and our politics. Every single one
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of us is concerned and we would do well to set aside our
differences, our egos, our quarrels and our jealousies and
make use of this ecological consciousness to create a new
solidarity and social cohesion.
We are a little like Darwin’s finches, which had no choice
but to adapt to a changing environment. But for us, this
evolution is above all intellectual and behavioral. We own
the intelligence and the technology, but do we have the
will?
On a local level, our relations with Sweden continue to
flourish, and according to Nils we have much to gain
by confronting our thoughts with the experience of
this Scandinavian country, a pioneer of sustainable
development.
Pascal, for his part, backs up his recommendations with
solid figures, which demonstrate the very real environmental
stakes in our island’s energy choices. The image of an island
built on healthy energy is not utopian, insists Philippe, there
are numerous technologies whose efficiency continues to
progress, and this in itself is quite reassuring.
In this magazine we have always highlighted our natural
environment, which is not difficult when one is blessed
with the sort of biodiversity we have. On the occasion of
Charles Darwin’s 200th birthday, Karl takes the example of
our beloved zanoli to remind us of life’s capacity to adapt
to the environment. And Hélène deepens our appreciation
further, showing us the beauty of malanga and zicac in this
botanical garden which we call our island.
Down in Toiny, a gardener and a chef have joined forces
to promote biological agriculture and prove it is a boon to
gourmet cuisine, to be sampled in the shade of the Gaïac.
From here, some of the island’s chefs take you on a tour
of aromas, spices and local ingredients for your culinary
pleasure.
Julien has an eye for things beneath the surface and shows
us some of the wonders of the depths off our shores, while
whales whistle water fountains for our admiration.
Rebecca adopts the bird’s eye view and reveals the poetry of
our migrating who attend to their plumage in our wetlands
before flying on.
Alone on the beach, Lola reflects on her sadness and dreams
of a new and better world, for which her island could be
the blueprint, a tiny paradise, a model for the entire world.
She makes up her mind to make this her business. She and
her friends will write a letter to the President.
JEAN-JACQUES RIGAUD
Publisher