Minister: Culture Less Dependent On Fossil Fuel
Speaking at this past weekend’s Earth Hour event, Minister of Environment, Planning and Infrastructure Strategy Marc Bean said he hopes the event “will act as a catalyst to encourage our people to move toward a culture that is much less dependent on fossil fuel.”
“I invite all of us here and at home to let this be the start of a sustained effort to conserve our energy usage beyond the symbolism of this one hour. The decisions we make today will influence what happens in Bermuda tomorrow,” said the Minister.
Minister Bean’s full remarks follow below:
Thank you for having me here today to join in the observance of Earth Hour 2012.
Once again, Greenrock – under the leadership this year of their President Judith Landsberg – has done Bermuda a great service by bringing businesses, Government, NGOs and our people together to show our commitment to the planet.
Those of us here and across the island who are observing Earth Hour 2012 are taking a positive first step towards change just by thinking about how our energy usage influences the earth’s climate. This leads us to consider how climate change affects our quality of life, economy, social well-being and natural environment …and stimulates the desire to protect these things.
Therefore, it is my hope that Earth Hour will act as a catalyst to encourage our people to move toward a culture that is much less dependent on fossil fuel. We know for certain that these fuels will eventually run out so it is crucial that we implement alternatives now which will reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and are less harmful to our environment and, ultimately, ourselves.
Earth Hour is an opportunity for our island to showcase local lifestyle changes and environmental solutions that we should adopt. But we must commit to sustainable living beyond this hour and encourage our family and friends to do so as well.
Reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and energy conservation are aligned with the Government’s Sustainable Development Plan. The Energy White paper has also established aggressive but achievable goals for Bermuda to reduce its carbon emissions by 30% by 2020. Officials and lay people from every sector of our community must take this guidance to heart and act now so that we can reduce our Carbon footprint.
The Departments of Energy and Sustainable Development have been entrusted with the monumental task of promoting policies that encourage the use of alternative energy and changing mindsets regarding our current energy usage. They have the confidence and support of my office, the Premier and Cabinet.
I ask that each of us take the time to assume a lifestyle based upon practical energy conservation habits and adopt energy efficient technologies.
I invite all of us here and at home to let this be the start of a sustained effort to conserve our energy usage beyond the symbolism of this one hour. The decisions we make today will influence what happens in Bermuda tomorrow.
As many of you would remember, in 2011 Bermuda commemorated Earth Hour by turning off the lights with hundreds of millions of our global neighbors across the 7 continents.
It is exciting, to say the least, to be participating in this worldwide effort again in 2012. Together we can make a difference across the globe, in our individual countries and our own neighborhoods. Together to we can sustain Bermuda and the world by learning to use our resources wisely and to minimise our impact for future generations.
I congratulate you all and I look forward to joining with the people of Bermuda and the world in celebrating Earth Hour 2012 and beyond.
Thank you and enjoy the evening.
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Category: All, Environment, News, Politics
Before you make another statement on any subject, decide on Zane’s planning appeal. No answers, no credibility.
During the global economic downturn, governments around the world have taken two approaches: investment vs. austerity. The PLP is the party of investment. The OBA is the party of austerity.
If you believe that the cause of all our economic problems is that we spend TOO MUCH on the police, vote OBA. If you believe that it’s because we spend TOO MUCH on education, vote OBA. If you believe that it’s because we spend TOO MUCH on job fairs, vote OBA.
I can’t believe you think that. In spite of all the evidence to the contrary, you will still choose to blindly vote for a party that clearly needs an opportunity to clean house and come back stronger. Voting for the PLP denies them the opportunity and impetus to make significant changes. The thought goes like this. “why fix anything, if the people are happy the way we are”.
As a matter of course, I think the Govt should change approx every 3 terms, no matter who is in Govt. It guards against complacency.
Borrowing what you can’t afford to pay back and paying it to yourself is not what people usually think of as ” investment”.
“it is my hope that Earth Hour will act as a catalyst to encourage our people to move toward a culture that is much less dependent on fossil fuel.”
“I ask that each of us take the time to assume a lifestyle based upon practical energy conservation habits and adopt energy efficient technologies.”
So in the interest of conservation and more eco-friendly lifestyle choices when will the PLP begin downsizing their massive fleet of GP vehicles including a dozen or so oversize cars that surely have worse miles per gallon ratings when compared with the cars us regular folks drive?
PLP – Party before country since 1998.
Don’t want to hear nothing from this guy until he settles Desilva/Furbert SDO fiasco. Oh.. he’s going to announce it just before the election… Right – we know the deal !
I encourage the sentiments expressed in the speech, but Bermuda needs action when it comes to our consumptive society. If we’re serious, let’s analyze recycling from a legislative point of view to decrecrease the phenomenal amount of waste that we produce per capita. Let’s work towards an efficient, reliable and affordable public transport system to encourage people to use cars less. Let’s talk about improving our road infrastructure and the railway trail so that people can cycle and walk in safety. Let’s move away from the giant gas guzzling cars that have overhwhelmed our roads and provide significant encouragement to buy smaller, fuel efficient cars. If we’re serious, let’s see some action.
@ Pelican you are right on the money and for all the politician naysayers, please know that there are a lot of people who work under the politicians, who work much more than the 9-5 who think along these same lines and have expertise on these things if the green light is given to make them happen. The challenge is that this is one Minister! He needs to somehow convince his Cabinet members to get in the 21st Century!!! That is the only way Bermuda can move forward whether UBP, OBA or PLP.
@ Cancer I do agree, a decision on the planning development next to the Devonshire Marsh Plan needs to be made.
He’s contirbuting to further global warming by exhaling more PLP hot air…..