Minister of Environment and National Beautification, Trevor Prescod poses for a photo with Coordinator of Mums in Business Association at today’s Small Island Future Fest (SIFF) opening ceremony at Pelican Village. (S.Forde/BGIS)

Minister of Environment and National Beautification, Trevor Prescod, is urging Barbadians to see the importance of green and blue economies to this country’s sustainability and resilience.

He made the plea today, while speaking at the Small Island Future Fest (SIFF) opening ceremony at Pelican Village, and noted that the future of our youth depends on the proper management of Barbados’ green and blue economies.

Minister Prescod highlighted that Barbados was the first country in the Caribbean and Latin American, in 2007, to develop a National Green Economy Policy, and lauded those involved in the organizing of SIFF.

He stated: “SIFF showcases, in a very practical and tangible fashion, the way sustainable development goals are being operationalized in Barbados.”

He said those who attend SIFF would get a ‘unique’ opportunity to see Barbados’ Green and Blue economies at work, as well as the myriad possibilities that lie ahead as this country transitions to a more sustainable environment and society.

Also speaking at the opening was Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Barbados Investment and Development Corporation, Sonja Trotman, who was very pleased that SIFF was being hosted at one of its facilities. 

She heartily congratulated those with the vision to conceptualize the event, which she believes will elevate and keep to the fore, the great importance of environmental sustainability.

Ms. Trotman stated: “The term, ‘Small Island Future’ aptly captures the significance of the purpose of this event, relative to the future of our country.  Our attention to a sustainable future is critical not only in the global context of increasingly prevalent superstorms, earthquakes and other weather phenomenon, which can quickly wipe us out in the blink of an eye, but also within the context of the current challenges we are facing as a ‘tiny’ island, relative to our transportation, management of our water resources, waste, coastal zones, energy resources, and other ‘blue-green’ socioeconomic concerns that have direct implications for a sustainable future for Barbados.”

The CEO also stressed that while we, as a people, try to make the most of our natural resources, we must also be responsible custodians. 

She said with research, expertise, a commitment to excellence and a strong sense of respect and responsibility, these resources could benefit us today, while lasting to provide a future for the next generation.

Chairman of the Future Centre Trust, Vivian-Anne Gittens, along with Minister Prescod and Ms. Trotman, expressed the view that our future depends on well devised, sustainable and resilient plans. 

According to them, these plans should invoke a sense of urgency within the youth and our society, which would lead to innovative efforts in science, visual and culinary arts, fashion, film, poetry, music, dance, theatre and other creative forms that could effectively touch and impact the mindset of our communities to embrace a cultural shift in how we view the importance of our environment.

SIFF, which was dubbed Barbados’ biggest environmental event, was the final activity to celebrate Environment Month.

sheena.forde@barbados.gov.bb

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