VI has “soft power” to prevent degradation of nat. environment by others- Hon. Pickering
Speaking to a journalist during the 11th Conference of the Parties (COP 11) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), in Hyderabad, India on October 16, 2012, Hon. Pickering was asked how concerned was the VI about damage to environment being done elsewhere but which could have an indirect impact on the VI.
Hon. Pickering said the VI has ‘soft power” because it can spread the word in the tourism market about the importance of conserving the natural environment and encourage visitors to the Territory to spread the word also. “It is also important to our visitors because they want to come again and they want to encourage others to come and enjoy it.”
The Deputy Premier also said the VI was very concerned about issues such as ocean acidification and the warming of waters which could see irreparable damage to the natural environment. This concern he said was underlined earlier this year when the VI Government, in collaboration with the Joint Nature Conservative Council, hosted a conference to discuss the question of the conservation of the near shore and marine environment “and the whole impetus for that is to ensure that we maintain what we have and do not destroy it”.
He said Government was very concerned about coral bleaching, mangrove destruction and quality of water surrounding the islands and “before it gets to a point where it is irreversible, we want to ensure that we put in motion all necessary factors to ensure that we do not suffer in the long term”.
The preservation of the natural environment being a very critical component for survival in the Virgin Islands was also highlighted by Hon. Pickering, who said the heavily depended upon tourism sector is based mostly on environment because 70 to 80 percent of visitors to the Territory come to enjoy the water and the natural marine environment.
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5 Responses to “VI has “soft power” to prevent degradation of nat. environment by others- Hon. Pickering”
That prevention is true. I have been personally been denied on at least 3 occasions from visiting a beach on Tortola and one on a cay!!!!
What do they think is going to happen with the extended runway and deminished trellis bay? what are the bigger and LOUDER planes going to do to migrating birds in Hans Creek? Where is the sewage going at the cruiseship dock and park? and believe it or not, water is warming up and getting saltier at every desal plant around. That will have a lasting affect as well. These people are not serious because they don'e even have a preservationist or biologist on planning authority or Town and Country.