Alternative Energy

ALL over the world the impacts of climate change are devastating, even sometimes obliterating entire nations. Of recent times we have witnessed the catastrophic Hurricane Michael in the US; Cyclone Titli in India; Hurricane Leslie in Portugal, tsunami and mudslides in Indonesia; nearer home in Haiti and other Caribbean countries. Global warming is real and is immediate, so solutions to effect impactful reductions of carbon emissions are a dire fundamental prerequisite to man’s survival on planet earth; even to survival of planet earth itself
The extant imperative is to address the climate-change phenomenon with alacrity if we are to leave a sustaining and sustainable earth for future generations.
According to a CNN report, high up in the Eastern Himalayas is one of the greenest countries in the world. While many nations are struggling to reduce their carbon emissions, the Kingdom of Bhutan is already carbon negative because it takes more greenhouse gases from the atmosphere than it emits.
Sandwiched between China and India, Bhutan spans approximately 14,800 square miles. Its vast woodlands cover approximately 70 per cent of the country and act as a natural carbon sink, absorbing carbon dioxide.

As a result, according to its own figures, this nation of around 750,000 people removes nearly three times as much CO2 as it produces.
Guyana is also a net carbon sink because of vast forests and the fact that our hinterland dwellers – our indigenous peoples, have for centuries preserved our eco-systems through living in harmony with nature and the natural habitat of Guyana’s multitudinous, multifarious denizens of the forest – our relatively unscathed flora and fauna.
The developed world primarily emits more CO2 each year than developing nations. Many regions in developing nations are currently engaged in frenzied efforts to reforest lands that have become deserts through centuries of deforestation, denuding their countries of the protection of their respective country’s rich natural environment.
Experts are warning that earth has only up to 2030 to stem and reverse carbon positivity.

The carbon-negative countries in the world are mostly heavily forested and undeveloped and they are currently the lungs of the world.
Environmental protection should be enshrined in the constitution of every nation in order to maintain forest cover to withstand climate-change challenges.
In our little corner of the earth our country’s growth and its manufacturing sector are being stymied because of our dependence on fossil fuels to generate electricity. We have the capacity to generate energy from hydro, solar and windpower.

We can produce enough hydroelectricity to even sell to neighbouring countries, which could also offset tons of annual CO2 emissions.
The manufacturing and entrepreneurial world especially, as well as private users of energy have suffered greatly from the costly and inefficient power supply that decimates morale and profits; and Guyana’s plans to embark on various strategies to address this malady that is regressive and which  greatly impedes the manufacturing and productive sectors is welcomed by the private sector. Gafsons is one corporate giant that embraced alternative energy by shifting its base to a new location in Mc Doom where that company has re-built from scratch so as to incorporate solar power in its entire complex.

According to Gafsons’ CEO, Sattaur Gafoor: “This is just our initial foray into going green because we recognise, as we have always done, that our corporate responsibilities extend beyond profits as investment into our human capital boosts morale, motivation and, eventually, greater successes in entrepreneurial endeavours and achievements.”
Guyana’s greenhouse gas emissions would not exceed the carbon sequestered by its forests for generations; and our LCDS sets a unique precedent that is being emulated by other nations and our country will remain carbon negative if it maintains its current levels of forest cover.
Mr. Gafoor asserts: “… the private sector has a major role to play as we need to devise ways and means to effect operational changes to make our sector – individually and collectively, a force for change that can simultaneously generate profits and carbon credits through the recognition that, unless we respect our environment and work in synchronisation with nature, then nature itself would factor into destructive dynamics that will – directly and indirectly, lead to the eventual Armageddon of mankind’s existence.
“We are leaders of industry, and we have to explore and initiate strategies to remain carbon- negative because humans caused the problems, and the problem resolution resides in our own efforts.”
Guyana’s LCDS was conceptualised and promoted, to much acclaim, at various world fora by the current Vice-president, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo.

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