The people of Anguilla are being sensitized to the consequences of failing to do their part, even in a little way, to reduce the effects of global warming and sea level rise: important chunks of their touristic island and its barrier and fishing reefs could eventually disappear forever. It is a threat largely posed by greenhouse gas (carbon dioxide) emissions into the atmosphere and the use of an abundance of oil (often referred to as fossil fuel) that are already taking their destructive course on planet earth.

Bishop Brooks (left) with members of St. Mary’s congregation

The message, blunt, but real, is being carried to church congregations, where large numbers of people are expected to be, by the Anguilla Government’s Energy Policy Committee, led by its Chairman, David Carty, a frequent voice on climate change. He and the other committee members, all volunteers, have already submitted a widely-circulated draft policy document to Government for public information and comment before it is given official sanction. The Anguilla House of Assembly, over which Mr. Carty presides as Speaker, arranged a meeting for Thursday afternoon this week to give the first reading to the Bio-diversity and Heritage Conservation Bill that will give effect to the island’s Planned Energy Policy.

Mr. Carty and his committee have already held meetings at the Christian Fellowship Church, Central Baptist Church, Church of God (Holiness) and, as recent as Monday evening this week, at St. Mary’s Anglican Church. A number of other churches are on the list. An eloquent speaker, Mr. Carty began his presentation with Biblical references to creation and the requirement for mankind to have dominion over the earth in terms of its protection. He held the view that there was a moral component to the discussion on global warming and renewable energy, and described Noah of old as not only having been “the first bio-diversity expert, but the first conservationist in taking care of flora and fauna on the earth.”

Mr. David Carty delivering address

He said that the invention of gasoline and diesel from fossil fuel (oil) led to the manufacture of generators which, while producing electricity, also send dangerous emissions into the atmosphere and that fuel-using vehicles were contributing to the predicament as well. “The problem we now have is that we are using so much of this [fuel], and it is being emitted so frequently and so prolifically all across the world, that carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is getting out of hand and greenhouse gas emissions are going to cause us major [harm],” he stated.

Mr. Carty went on: “It is easy for us, especially we in Anguilla, to say ‘that is a big country problem’…and in many ways that is true. It is a fact that .05% of greenhouse gases is emitted by all the islands and the Pacific combined…The big countries, like the United States, Europe, China and India, are creating most of the stuff but the Inter-Governmental Planet for Climate Change (IPCC), a group of multi-disciplined scientists, makes it very clear that small islands are the first to be in the firing line if the globe does not get a hand on greenhouse gases. I put it to you, as Christian people, that there is a moral argument here to debate. This is an issue that is not just for other countries. It is an issue for all of us. We want Anguilla to do the right thing. Christian people must always stand up for the right thing whether it is renewable energy, gang violence or whatever, you must do the right thing.”

He made the grim prediction that if global warming, greenhouse emissions into the atmosphere and sea level rise were to get out of hand, some of Anguilla’s reefs, abounding with fish and live coral, as well as western areas where tourism developments are located, could disappear over a period of time.

Reverend Hodge (foreground) and members of the congregation

Mr. Carty, who effectively illustrated his presentation by the use of various graphics, referred to such alternative sources of energy as windmills and solar panels and noted that Anguilla was abundantly blessed with wind and sun which could be used in these processes. “What we want the Government and citizens of Anguilla to think about is, how we should begin to change Anguilla from the way we produce electricity now at Corito to this way of producing electricity and it is more than just an economic or social argument,” he stated.

He referred to a typical bill from the Anguilla Electricity Company (ANGLEC) sent to consumers showing that the fuel surcharge was 45% of the amount payable and was a levy by the company for its purchase of the fuel. “You are cursing ANGLEC, but is it ANGLEC’s fault? ANGLEC has to buy the diesel,” Mr. Carty went on. “The diesel was not made in Dog Island or at Corito. It had to be imported from Venezuela, Trinidad or wherever, and we have absolutely zero control on the price of oil or anything else made from petroleum.” He warned that if fuel stocks were to diminish and there was a competitive bid, small islands like Anguilla would suffer and as a consequence it was necessary to be prepared.

He stressed that there was a need to consider the social and economic argument involved and was happy that ANGLEC’s Board of Directors was 100% in favour of the new energy policy and had already, by letter, endorsed it as a matter which the Government should work towards. He suggested that there was a need to save money by reducing electricity, for example, by the use of compact florescent bulbs which burn four times less than ordinary bulbs and to take other helpful measures including renewable sources of energy such as the sun and wind as may be possible.

Members of the congregation

Mr. Carty said that the Energy Policy also dealt with vehicles. “All our cars in Anguilla are being run on gasoline, but the technology is rapidly developing where we now have hybrid cars running off electricity and gasoline,” he said. He explained that from zero to 25 miles per hour a hybrid car runs on electricity produced by a large battery under the back seat which charges each time the brakes are held, thus saving fuel. Once the vehicle goes over 25 miles per hour, the engine, using gasoline, cuts in to provide some of the power.

“The point is that if we began to shift our use of vehicles away from the type of vehicles we use now, to hybrid, we would be drastically reducing our dependence on oil products and the energy policy says this,” he continued. “It urges our Government to increase your taxes over a time… on cars that we now own and reduce your taxes if you want to buy a hybrid. So when you think it is time for a new one, hopefully within a next year the hybrid will be on the market in a big way. The prices are now very competitive…” He said that the 25% duties paid on an ordinary car could go down to 10 or 15% on a hybrid car and while benefiting from this reduction, purchasers of hybrid vehicles would “be doing something good for the planet.”

Mr. Carty concluded his presentation as follows: “If you feel that this energy policy is worthwhile, we are asking you to write a letter to the Chief Minister or any other Minister of Government and say ‘this is something we would like to see happen.’ We are asking you, as a Christian community, and as citizens, to think it through. One of the churches we have gone to just do not want to end with their Pastor signing a letter to the Government. They actually want the members of the church to put their names to a good old Anguillian petition and give to the Government which would be great because it speaks to a commitment. This is not an issue that is going to happen overnight. It is going to take a lot of work. It is going to take Government regulations, investment and a coordinated effort, but I am here to assure you that there are people behind this effort who are deadly serious in making this happen for Anguilla. We see this having implications not just for our economy, our society or environment, but also with your sense of stewardship for God’s creation.”

At question time, the Right Rev. Errol Brooks told Mr. Carty that he was pleased with his presentation and it was wonderful that he could have delivered it from a theological perspective, emphasing the responsibility of the people as stewards of God’s creation. “I am sold on it,” Bishop Brooks added.

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