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By Tyrell Gittens – CNS Contributor
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, May 07 2016 – Red! A colour customarily used to symbolise intensity, passion, assertiveness and determination. No less can be said about the climate activists dressed in red attire that descended upon one of UK’s largest coalmine in South Wales on the morning of May 3 2016.
Representing just one of the many other demonstrations set to occur over the next 13 days in an estimated 12 countries, these demonstrations signify the stance that climate activists are taking globally.
These demonstrations, fuelled only by the red and burning desire of activists, are crucial in a political atmosphere where the state of the climate isn’t considered to be much of a major financial benefit.
According to Greenpeace, global super industries such as the Koch Industries have gone as far to fund climate denial motives. With these industries that hold great economic power in the world denying climate change, do you think that your governments which are their business partners will speak out against the environmental phenomenon?
As the world continues to make strides in empowering persons to speak out for their rights, it is important and symbolic that civil demonstrations are taking such as monumental fight, as we realise there is power in advocacy against the use of fossil fuels that have monopolised the energy market for years.
What is of deep concern is that the Caribbean, which largely depends on oil and natural gas, has no registered demonstration in climate actions occurring throughout the world.
In the Caribbean, many people see it fit to speak out and demonstrate against issues ranging from politics to social displacement but it is also important that the Caribbean region get on board with the global community and demand and end to the use of fossil fuels.
The stability of the region and the quality of lives civilians are subjected to is also under threat as a result of fossil fuels. In a state of constant fluctuation, the oil prices, controlled by the puppet masters will continue to flutter as those in decision making positions do not consider small nations dependent on oil and natural gas. The economic effects of these ever changing oil prices include: the price of fuels, the amount of taxes society is subjected to and even basic necessities such as food. Given that the effects of fossil fuels affect our civil society and our right to a life of quality, it is important that we speak out and demand alternatives be considered, to have greater autonomy in the region in regards to economics.
Lobbying for the use of alternative sources not only provides an economic investment to wider society but it also serves as an investment in society’s health.
Figures presented by the International Panel on Climate Change alluded that the manufacturing, operation and maintenance emissions of alternative sources are significantly lower in comparison to that of fossil fuels. Estimates suggest that coal emits between 1.4 and 3.6 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent per kilowatt-hour (CO2E/kWh) and natural gas emits between 0.6 and 2 pounds CO2E/kWh. These figures are staggering compared to those of alternatives.
Wind energy emits only 0.02 to 0.04 pounds of CO2E/kWh, solar 0.07 to 0.2, geothermal 0.1 to 0.2 and hydroelectric between 0.1 and 0.5. A reduction in emissions consequently reduces the intensity of air pollution and the health problems associated with this problem.
A 2015 report by World Atlas a statistical hub, revealed a list of 50 countries that fall under the presumptive category of “Countries most dependent on fossil fuels”. Trinidad and Tobago (6th), Dominican Republic (38th) and Cuba (49th) all sat within the list. According to those figures an alarming percentage of energy (88% to 99%) in these countries is dependent upon fossil fuels. Apart from the major users of fossil fuels in the Caribbean that are constantly highlighted, it should be noted that a majority of countries within the Caribbean still depend on fossil fuels as it major source of energy.
The region’s ability to invest into alternative sources of energy isn’t difficult. With an abundance of sea and sun, the Caribbean can use these blue resources to fuel our red desire for change.
In a region where free speech and liberties such as the right to protest is granted, the Caribbean must turn red but not with anger or animosity but red with passion and intensity for our environment which affects our quality of life. Join the movement and keep up-to-date with the civil demonstrations occurring globally against fossil fuels by searching “Climate Tracker” on Facebook or visit https://breakfree2016.org/
