Extracted from Andrew Simpson’s Facebook timeline.
So many issues need to be addressed, and in so little time – worsening political, economic, environmental and societal conditions are all connected. Everything we do, affects the whole. Numerous valuable offerings grace the pages of our media. Solutions are attainable. Trusted and committed leadership, to corroborate a common vision, is needed.
Wastage and pollution are my pet peeves so promoting environmentally sustainable lifestyles is what I am most passionate about. I believe that we must do what we can, with what we have, now. Barbadians should fully embrace the idea of resource preservation and practice permaculture; converting green waste for soil remediation to improve food security, while reducing impacts of chemical fertilizers / pesticides on ground water and nearshore reefs. Such measures would save much foreign exchange; as would more renewable energy generation, recycling, etc.
A national beautification program, utilizing available ‘manpower’, crowned with a centrally located nature zone (surrounded by with affordable lodgings) and linked through gully eco-system trails to a coastline rim for hiking and biking, would greatly enhance our tourism product.
Adoption of the above values, within a super efficient cooperative framework, would positively affect employment /standard of living within a new ‘green’ entrepreneurial class; increasing GDP as we facilitate more local production and climate friendly options. Unused properties must be developed with private funds, with opportunities to invest shared as widely as is practical. Policy makers must limit public borrowing to support unnecessary spending, on luxuries we can ill afford at this time, with any deficit financing strictly reserved to facilitate project investments that have undoubted potential to repay our national debt. Less reliance on government, through adoption of basic policies that encourage cultivation of greater individual responsibility (including design of a more effective governance platform) is the key to national prosperity being obtained in a truly independent Nation.
The greatest challenge which must be overcome; in order for our island to flourish, is the moral rehabilitation of this present generation. I urge each fellow citizen to recognize the power of free will; and choose for yourselves this day, whom you will serve. We must acknowledge the poor choices we have made, often under influence; accept healing and forgiveness, and promise to live in love.
The blogmaster invites you to join the discussion.