IT is reiterated that the Green Economy is a macro policy. It has its own body of knowledge guiding its conceptualisation, development and implementation. In referring to it, the green is never placed in single quotes, which is derisive of a policy built on evidence that encapsulates the Environment, Sustainable Development and Labour Policies, with the main objective of eliminating poverty as man lives in harmony with his surroundings.  Any of my writings on this policy, where the green is placed in single quotes, such is the doing of the newspaper.Last week the environment was addressed from the standpoint of disposal and recycling of solid and liquid waste in the push for a green economy and Guyana being in compliance with the Cartagena Convention the Government had ratified in July 2010. This week’s focus is on the management of our physical and natural resources to bring about sustainable development that the nation aims for.

Our pristine forest means much to us and must see every measure put in place to protect it. We rely on it for our livelihoods, shelter, water, food and fuel security. The forest is necessary for the air we need to live, the prevention of soil erosion, and alleviating climate change. The animals living in the forest, outside of finding some delicacies, play important roles in protecting our ecosystem.

Our minerals are found primarily in the forest. As the nation pursues the protecting of the environment, it is expected that as a matter of national policy a decision will be made as to whether we will continue  to encourage the exploitation of the forest by chainsaw operators and loggers in a manner that is absent of a replanting programme. Similarly, the extraction of gold, bauxite and other precious metals through the open-cast mining system, where trees are removed, holes are dug, and craters left unattended should be examined.

In addressing the environment it will be expected that where trees are removed and holes dug, a programme must follow where the holes are refilled and the land returned in a manner similar to its natural form. While in some cases original trees cannot be replaced, it may be strategic as we pursue this new form of development, that consideration be given to a replanting process which involves cashew, from which its fruit can be utilised in various forms, which can jump-start new industries, jobs, and economic opportunities.

Our coastland is below sea level and our protection from the Atlantic is dependent on the seawall and mangrove trees. Mangrove and other trees are important to our safety and economic activities. The bearing and multiplying of plants require pollinating at various times and bees play a very important role in the germination and production processes. It may be necessary to ensure the bee industry be structured in a manner where its importance to our mangroves and agriculture industry is recognised.

With international, growing appreciation for and pursuit of organic food, honey can be a new grooming industry when taking into consideration our vast forest, agriculture and coastal plain. Guyana can develop niche markets and specialised taste in honey as derived from bees grown in the mangroves area, which taste will be different from those reared in the Mazaruni or Linden. The honey industry and its value-added products can earn us needed foreign exchange.

The issue of chemical fertiliser used in the rice and sugar industries affect aquaculture life and impact significantly on the natural rearing of fish. When the chemicals that flow from the land enter the canal where fishes are grown, these fishes are no longer genetically raised. There’s also concern of local foods being genetically modified, where chemicals are used to ripen them.  We also have a situation where the spill-over of the chemicals in waterways that farmers use for watering crops,  outside of the ones they purchase, also have implications for the food we eat. These practices carry dire consequences for our health and the ecosystem.

While in a green economy the aforesaid needs to be tackled, it may be opportune for us to start with the cash-crop industry, which includes tomatoes, bora, callaloo, ochro. Here is where the nation can commence a significant programme of producing organic foods by complementing the solid and liquid waste industry, which will provide the needed fertiliser for growth, and creating another niche market.

Many may see realising of the green economy as our children’s task. It must be said however that this economy is dependent on putting systems in place now, supported by a massive public sensitisation and education programme. In order for citizens to accept and participate in the new economy, they must have inputs and understand its importance to our survival, growth and development, how it is to be pursued, the benefits to them, and the required investment such as skills training, research and development to make it a reality.

The government can succeed in implementing this policy. This is providing the planners and executors accept the wisdom of the philosophy behind it and deliver leadership to the society that obviously will break with some long-held customs and practices, including programmes and laws, which are critical to realisation.

Next week, labour policies will be examined.