Posted by 
Ronald Green, Leader of the Opposition
This week when the nations of the world meet to seek agreement on the importance of a clean and green economic response to the twin crises the world faces, we in Dominica, the Nature Island of the Caribbean and the world, are embarrassed. At this moment, when we are on the world stage, the General Assembly, we should be proudly describing how we have measured, managed and driven a growth path for Dominica that accounts for economic, social and ecological gains for our people.
Instead we are confronted with the failure to adopt and implement an integrated approach to development planning, and the failure to adhere to the policies and programs of a minimal 4-year plan that we call a Growth and Social Protection Strategy.
Our peoples’ hardship, lack of jobs, poverty, growing corruption and crime, and two days ago, a cloud of dirty smoke over our Capital City are some of the reasons we are embarrassed.
At this time when the rest of the world seems convinced of the importance of an integrated approach to the management of economic and ecological issues, our Dominica Government seems determined to turn its back on the many decades of sensible investment that have left us with a World Heritage Site, pristine protected forests, lakes, rivers, clean water and the accompanying wildlife that is still the envy of many.
At this time when we most need strong and visionary leadership to take advantage of these gains, we are saddled with leadership that takes pride in its ability to follow the instructions of the IMF. At a time when even the large financial institutions of the world are convinced of the need to take stock of our natural resources as vital economic assets and to measure progress against the economic and the ecological bottom lines, we are saddled with a leadership that uses miles of road and sea wall as the main measure of its success as a Government.
Now is the time for the world to turn towards a comprehensive and integrated approach to the management of growth that meets the needs of the present generation without jeopardizing the chances of future generations to do the same.
The Clean and Green economy that I have proposed is one such strategy.
This Clean and Green approach is not about cutting growth but about more intelligent investment and sustainable growth that creates jobs and protects our vital natural systems. This approach is about redirecting investments in ways that deliver multiple benefits to individuals, households, enterprises and sectors as with the conversion of biodegradable waste into compost for farming fertilizer that produces food which enhances the health and productivity of the consumers.
This approach is focused on decentralizing the production of clean energy, substantially reducing its costs, and turning consumers into suppliers of power.
This approach is about new industries driven by waste recycling, organic and naturals farming, reafforestation, coastal zone protection and management that partners with the fishing and tourism industries.
This approach is about the conversion of schools into centers of excellence that learn to use the tools of the clean and green economy while adapting them and developing new tools more suited to the local conditions.
This approach to building a new clean and green economy recognizes that the current global market for environmental goods and services such as organic foods and health tourism, is already over US$1.3 trillion and expected to grow.
Now is the time for leadership that is strong, enlightened, honest, open and far-sighted that will champion efforts at turning knowledge into action.
The United Workers Party fully endorses the efforts of Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, the members of the United Nations and the several agencies of the United Nations, to give priority to the task of building a clean and green global economy that addresses the twin challenges of global economic meltdown and global warming.
It is time now for Dominica to take its rightful place as a world leader in this 21st Century venture.
