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Elections in the Falklands, environmentalists fight to defend habitats and a green economy
Esther Bertram, CEO of Falklands Conservation presented a “Sustainable Vision for the Islands” with several points based on a green economy for the Falklands
The elections in the Falkland Islands are approaching (December 11) and themes are beginning to emerge that will certainly be the subject of discussion among voters, and one of them is the environment, its protection and conservation.
In this regard, the environmental organization Falklands Conservation has already released details of its position reproduced in the Islands’ media based on the document, “Vision of Sustainable Islands”. Document what they define as practical ideas for “the greenest government the Falklands has ever had”.
The document outlines five priorities: habitat restitution, climate stabilization, strengthening biosecurity, improving marine protection and implementing a decidedly green economy.
“Visão” argues that “a healthy environment is the basis for a healthy economy”, highlighting that agriculture, fishing and tourism depend on “thriving habitats, clean seas and resilient ecosystems”.
The Executive Director of Malvinas Conservation, Esther Bertram, confided that the timing of the release of the document was very well chosen: “We launched it at this time in the hope that the public will be able to include the issue of the environment, which I am sure many people expect candidates to include in their ‘manifestos’ (government programs)”.
Ms. Bertram said the organization she leads urged future lawmakers to demonstrate long-term vision and ambition.
“The environment issue takes a long time and so we don’t expect it to happen quickly, he added, but “globally we want policymakers to demonstrate ambition in terms of the state of the environment in general. This is an innovative, long-term ambition that is needed. It has to be on a large scale and as it progresses it will take time and we need a long-term commitment.”
He emphasized that the Islands’ economy and environment are inseparable, “our economy is completely dependent on our natural environment.
“The Sustainable Island Vision” sets out detailed objectives such as net zero carbon, modernizing biosecurity legislation and large-scale investment in habitat restoration to protect soils, deposit carbon and reduce the risk of wildfires in the wild. It also calls for strong marine protection to ensure non-native species such as Atlantic salmon are not introduced into Falkland waters, alongside “green development plans” from the Falkland Islands government over the next 18 months.
Bertram highlighted the need to have strong biosecurity while reducing dependence on fossil fuels as a way to protect the long-term resilience of the islands, and to do so, “having strong biosecurity is key.”
He later added that “globally invasive flora and fauna are quickly becoming one of the most expensive and demanding problems facing the Islands”.
Regarding climate policy, he warned that focusing too much on fossil fuels will leave the Falklands “vulnerable”.
“If we position ourselves by focusing too much on fossil fuels or old industries, which are environmentally inconvenient, that puts us back in a position of high, vulnerable exposure.”
He went on to describe that the open cage salmon farming industry “is a risk not worth attempting” and equally “introduces invasive species that can threaten kelp ‘heaps’ (algae that thrive in Falkland waters) and schools of fish.”
Regarding the close relationship between economic and environmental policies, Ms Bertram said that approaches and attitudes have changed significantly over the last decade. “Ten years ago, it was very, very difficult to talk about this,”
“On the other hand, the last Legislative Assembly was certainly the one that demonstrated greater sensitivity to the issue of the environment, and they really made an effort to make many of these issues related to the topic actually happen.”
However, for this process to continue, patience and coordination are required. “Everything that focuses on the environment takes time, we have to understand that by getting together and saying ‘okay, let’s move on’, we will be able to solve a problem, but it is something that can easily take a whole year.”
Summing up her message to voters and candidates, Ms Bertram said: “A decisive no to zero carbon will not take us to a point where, as a nation, we need to safeguard our future, and I repeat that industrial salmon farming is an environmental risk not worth facing…
“It would be the introduction of an invasive species and, in fact, in the Falklands we do not need to introduce more invasive species”