Opinion Column: Starling On After The Storms
[Opinion column written by Jonathan Starling] With the recent announcement by BELCO that they have restored power to all households that went dark in Fay and Gonzalo, Bermuda is finally approaching full normality again.
Of course there are still signs of these storms, primarily in our vegetation, with our city parks remaining closed, along with two of our major national parks, the Arboretum and the Botanical Gardens. And there are plenty of houses still with tarpaulin on their roofs.
While full credit must be given to BELCO and the Caribbean crews that joined our local workers in the long hard work of restoring our electrical system, these storms give us an opportunity to take stock about our vulnerabilities and how we can prepare better for the future.
Beware complacency
As Fay demonstrated, to both the Government and residents, complacency can be costly. To use the rather cliché saying “it’s better to be safe than sorry”.
Going forward one would hope that the EMO operates at an abundance of caution, being fully manned whenever a tropical system demonstrates a probability of hitting, rather than meeting after the event as appears to have been the case with Fay.
We were lucky this time with Gonzalo and the Causeway experienced only minor damage, as did other key infrastructures.
However, this should not mean we sigh in relief and relapse back into complacency.
The case for a replacement for the Causeway remains, as does the need to release and build on a National Infrastructure Plan. As Fabian demonstrated, our luck can run out, so we should take this opportunity to be pro-active.
Time for energy equity?
The recent damage to our electrical grid has helped remind us of the importance of electricity for our 21st Century lives.
In my 2012 election platform I called for the following:
Make energy equity central to energy policy:
- At a minimum, each household should have access to guaranteed power to run a fridge, a tank water-pump, and lighting for one room.
- Require all new residential buildings to install renewable energy devices sufficient for these purposes.
- Provide zero-interest loans to the lowest socio-economic groups to facilitate the retroactive installation of renewable energy systems for homeowners or an energy credit for tenants.
A Green Shield?
Clarien Bank’s donation of native and endemic plants as part of an initiative to re-green Bermuda is also something worth building on.
While some cedars were affected by the recent storms, for the most part natives and endemics are far more resistant to the extreme weather events such as hurricanes – and also drought events.
There may even be a case to ensuring that our main roads are bordered primarily by natives and endemics in an attempt to reduce the amount of debris blocking roads in the aftermath of storm events.
With Christmas coming up, this may be an opportunity to using cedars or olivewoods as alternatives, or complements, to the traditional Christmas tree, and planting them in your gardens, or donating them afterwards for planting in our various parks and nature reserves.
Not only can these serve as a ‘green shield’ against extreme weather events, but also help re-green our island home and provide a boost for local biodiversity.
- Jonathan Starling
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Category: All, Environment, News, Politics
Now he’s talking some sense. Right until he goes on about using cedars and olive woods as Christmas decorations. There’s plenty of small casuarina that would fit the bill perfectly, cut one down, apply some Tordon, enjoy the holidays knowing you’ve gotten rid of one ugly invasive tree.
I agree there are loads of newly sprouted casurina along the South shore which are eating into the shoreline. They would make great alternative Christmas trees and would help free the shoreline of this menace as well as cut down on the number of imported trees.
I’m sure the OBA would love to build a new causeway and an airport. However, money doesn’t grow on tress, Jonathan. That’s how we got in this mess in the first place!
At a minimum, each household should have access to guaranteed power to run a fridge, a tank water-pump, and lighting for one room.
So, having this is a basic human right?
Typical socialist. I guess someone will pay for it. Who nobody knows. Including Starling.
“At a minimum, each household should have access to guaranteed power to run a fridge, a tank water-pump, and lighting for one room.”
If the entire grid has gone down no one but those with individual generators will have power
I think this is where his suggestion of renewable energy systems installed for new units or retroactively installed in existing dwellings via zero-interest loans comes into play.
On the surface I like that concept, but if someone simply doesn’t want to add on solar panels or other system to a new dwelling they’re building, how can you mandate it?
Yeah, a few thousand dollars per house for installation plus regular maintenance. I’m sure people won’t mind paying a few thousand in extra tax, right?
“… this should not mean we sigh in relief and relapse back into complacency.” But we will…
A very good opinion. JS, I totally love your 2012 election platform items!
So, in Starlings socialist world, by magic, every household is supposed to be supplied with a genny.
RIIIIIIGHT!!!!!
Every household would be taxed an extra $10,000. $2,000 would be spent installing a generator or photovoltaic device to each house with much hoopla.
The other $8,000 would be spent on civil servants, admin, processing, and similar governmental waste. That is how communism works.
Dreamboat?
Every house wouldn’t need a Generator if property holders trimmed trees and Belco initiated a strategic plan of buried lines.
By the way new fridges of today have no ice box ,modern fridges function using forced cold air requiring power for long periods of time to maintain the required temperature.
Trying to keep a fridge on line using a generator cost more in fuel than the questionable food is worth.
Running a Generator require some expertise as SAFETY is absolutely paramount.
Two competent people must be present.
Remove extension cable plugs prior to stopping and starting.
At night, remember you car head light is the worlds biggest flash light while running the engine .
Monthly maintenance is also required. Do not store fuel as it goes stale. check the engine oil level often.
Understanding your Generator Manual is essential.
A generator should be considered as an emergency device only with a separate wiring system ” PLUG AND PLAY ” I personalty do not recommend they be incorporated as part of the home electrical wiring system,as you may have internal electrical faults, a safety ground rod system is is essential.
The size of the water pump controls the size of the generator the bigger the better.
Warning Carbon Monoxide fumes can Kill.
Electricity can Kill.
Water and electricity do not mix.
THINK ! THINK ! THINK !
Uh, you know standby electric generators are pretty common right? Such systems now days typically run on propane and do self maintenance runs automatically. Do a quick websearch, I’m sure you’ll find plenty of information on how it works.