The University of the West Indies (UWI) will soon implement a number of initiatives to create a greener campus.

Acting Principal of the UWI, Professor Eudine Barriteau, announced that the Cave Hill Campus was on track to becoming a national leader in green technology, as well as a champion of promoting clean energy.?? She was speaking this afternoon at a brief tree planting ceremony of a golden palm to mark Arbor Day at the UWI, Cave Hill Campus.

Disclosing that one of the campus’ initiatives was the capturing and recycling of rain water, Professor Barriteau revealed that there were "nine massive water tanks placed strategically across campus that have been capturing rain water."

She said: "The campus looks green not only because of the rain but if you come here during the dry season it still looks green and that is because we are using recyclable water by capturing rain water and that is a testimony to our commitment to saving energy."

Adding that last year Cave Hill introduced a recycling project as a means of encouraging all persons on campus to collect and recycle waste, the Acting Principal pointed out that in addition they were also working on a renewable energy project.

Meanwhile, Minister of Agriculture, Senator Haynesley Benn, who lauded the University’s initiatives, appealed to householders to adopt some of the same practices that were currently being implemented by the UWI.

He said: "The harvesting of water on campus is a great initiative and I want to encourage persons to take part in this exercise as it is a good agricultural practice."

The Minister further added that he was "happy" that Barbados was once again turning its attention to greening. "With the removal of so many trees due to the construction of buildings, we are at the stage where we now have to start planting more fruit trees.?? We need to take food sovereignty more seriously," he stressed.

The tree planting drive was the brain child of the Director of Seven Marketing, Kellisa Belgrave. The concept known as "Seven trees, seven schools Green Initiative," saw seven trees being donated to seven primary, secondary and tertiary schools across the island to celebrate Arbor Day. tblackman@barbados.gov.bb

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