Tuesday’s front page photo out of Saba was inspiring. If people can develop appreciation for nature and its indispensable role in their lives at an earlier age, there is hope for humanity.
The world faces daunting challenges related to climate change, whereby today’s society – and more so the youth as well as future generations – must not only mitigate global warming as best possible but cope with the already inescapable and far-reaching consequences. The greater environmental awareness can be created now, the less brutal and painful that process is likely to be.
There will no doubt be positive sides. One imagines, for example, every garden, courtyard, patio, balcony and other adequate available space used to grow fruit, herbs and vegetables.
Farmers might be seen planting and harvesting the remaining hillsides rather than bulldozers destroying all existing vegetation to make room for concrete and steel. GEBE could be powered by a combination of cleaner liquefied natural gas (LNG) and solar panels, many of the latter on roofs of public buildings and residences. All motor vehicles would be electric, while visiting cruise ships and airplanes will have far less polluting energy sources.
Sound like a “fata morgana” or pipe dream? Don’t tell that to kids like the one on the front page, full of wonder and amazement about what Mother Earth still offers mankind. Their very own survival may just depend on it.
