From Adrian Walton.
ON 15 January a Green Manifesto for Jersey was signed by a number of prominent environmentalists. They deserve support.

A recent New Scientist spelled out the folly of global growth at the expense of finite environmental resources and destructive pollution. For example, the United States, in the name of reducing its carbon dioxide emissions, is developing an agri-fuel industry which will divert much of the world’s surplus food production from world markets. This is in addition to the damage being done to food production by droughts in China and Australia. It will require a rethink of the priorities for land use elsewhere in the world, particularly in Europe.

Jersey must prevent the concreting over of its agricultural land for further immigration to expand Jersey’s economy. The preservation of Jersey’s open land will also guarantee its potential for obtaining water for Island needs. We cannot continue to use expensive energy to obtain water from the sea. Jersey has no energy policy; it needs to replace cars with public transport and restrict the use of cars.

Jersey is a microcosm of the world situation. It must do its bit for food production and energy conservation. It must not continue to fuel growth at the cost of the erosion of the environment on which we all depend. The mindless exploitation of finite world resources means we must employ more recycling. Instead of a wasteful, destructive and polluting incinerator we should have developed a state-of-the-art recycling plant; something similar was visited in Wales recently by a posse of States members.

We must harness tidal power as Brittany, Alderney and Northern Ireland have or plan to do. If we are to make a contribution to non-polluting energy production we must also utilise more wind power, solar panels and insulation of old buildings. Remember we will suffer from global warming in Jersey – the low lying and heavily populated areas of St Clement and Grouville will be flooded without costly sea defences.
Le Pré au Pommiers,
Rue des Raisies,
St Martin.