THE POWER OF ONE

Ben Harrison-International Correspondent

What is the colour of green? Through the years, ‘green’ has been referred to as money, jealousy, a seasick person looking green, or perhaps it is just our favourite colour. More recently however, green has become an icon of responsibility; an attitude towards creating and sustaining an eco-friendly planet. Governments, institutions, schools, corporations, and individuals are focusing on ‘green’ especially during April when we celebrate Earth Day.

April 22, 2008 has been officially designated as Earth Day with numerous special activities planned. The St. Vincent & the Grenadines Ministry of Health, in association with Cable and Wireless, authored the theme: Think Globally, Act Locally and held National Earth Fest ’08. It included a street parade and school rally at Victoria Park, a family fun day, special foods and featured musical and dance artistes.

Under this year’s theme: Plant a Tree today, feed a child tomorrow. Let’s keep SVG clean, green and serene, Karib Cable the television cable/internet service provider has donated fruit trees to schools for students to plant and maintain.

We applaud these and many other initiatives, especially those that extend beyond the official Earth Day focus. Our concern and caring for planet earth must be a continuous and sustained effort to change generations of patterns and habits that have created the environmental crises that threatens the very survival of the world as we know it today.

The Vincentian has discovered at least one company in St. Vincent & the Grenadines that is taking positive steps to encourage environmental protection, not just on an officially designated Earth Day, but year round.

Mary Barnard Owner/Manager and Phillip Barnard Director of Operations Barefoot Yacht Charters

Earlier this year, Barefoot Yacht Charters made a corporate decision to set an example by taking a leadership initiative towards sustainable, environmentally-friendly yacht chartering. At its full-service marina facility on Blue Lagoon it is currently installing a state-of-the-art sewage treatment system as well as capturing rain water and recycled grey water for watering its gardens. It also uses only biodegradable products in its laundry.During any given year, Barefoot welcomes upwards of 2000 charter guests from around the world. It presents them with a small potted Casuarinas or a Coconut plant at the start of their charter. Guests are encouraged to help off-set the carbon emissions resulting from their air travel by planting a tree in the Grenadines , which will help compensate the depletion of vegetation by livestock grazing and weather systems.

Georgia Gravel-University Business Student, Executive Assistant

Barefoot has developed a “Green Pledge” for all charter skippers to sign before setting sale. It states:
“I pledge to use the knowledge and skills I have acquired to improve and sustain the natural world and resources around me. Furthermore, I pledge to minimize the impact of my ecological footprint and promise to take action to fulfill this commitment”.

Key issues attached to the Pledge include:
· Reduction, Reuse and Recycling of plastics
Over 380 billion plastic bags, sacks and wraps are consumed in America each year. A large number end up in the oceans where they kill countless birds, cetaceans, seals and turtles which mistake them for food. Plastic does not biodegrade, it photo-degrades, breaking down into smaller toxic pieces and enter the food chain to be ingested by animals.
· Promotion of the Awareness of Ocean Acidification
We hear much about global warming, but very little about ocean acidification which is the name given to the ongoing decrease in the pH levels of the oceans. Over time this will diminish the ocean’s capacity to absorb carbon dioxide
· Nothing that is non-biodegradable is to be placed overboard
Zero tolerance is the only policy. Plastic bags take from 400 to 1000 years to break down. Barefoot encourages `charter guests to use only biodegradable soaps, shampoos, detergents and cleaning agents.

· Thoughtful disposal of organic waste
Its charter yachts use harbor facilities wherever possible, otherwise dispose of waste as far from shore as possible. Near shore organic waste leads to excess nutrient supply and the disruption of local ecosystems.
· Anchoring Harmlessly
Use moorings wherever possible. Avoid anchoring in sea grass or near coral.
· Respect for all marine life
This request is self-explanatory.
Finally, Barefoot is marketing special “Green” T-Shirts, from which a portion of sales revenue will be invested in local environmental efforts.

Barefoot Yacht Charters is one small company doing its part to contribute to the survival of our fragile planet. Just think if every other company and individual were to do their part: To paraphrase the famous Louis Armstrong lyric, “What a wonderful world this could be”.