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Air pollution in Seychelles- The Ambition of a Nation |
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"The Republic of Seychelles will reduce its economy-wide absolute GHG (Green House Gas) emissions by 21.4% in 2025"- excerpt from the Intended Nationally Determind contribution (INDC) under the UNFCC (September 2015) According to UNFCC (United Nations Framework on Climate Change) Seychelles accounts for 0.003% of global emissions. A figure that would make the Seychellois people beam with joy, especially when standing next to China's 23%. However, this accomplishment is somewhat dulled when you learn that despite this low figure, carbon emission and subsequently air pollution in Seychelles has been on the rise. The main culprits being industrialisation and the increase in number of transports imported. This has not deterred Seychelles from embarking on an ambitious plan to remedy this situation. The burning of fossil fuel, like most-if not all- other countries is the main cause of air pollution especially when burned in factories and the very vehicles we rely on to get everywhere on time. One of the steps taken by the government to encourage people to 'Go Green' and reduce air pollution, was to announce in the beginning of the year that import duty on electric cars will be removed. At the same time, duty on hybrid vehicles will be reduced to 5% but all taxes on conventional cars remain the same. Although there is a reluctance to buy either electric or hybrid cars, mainly due to a lack of information about them and a shortage of mechanics specialised in fixing these vehicles, such an initiative must be applauded. It is clear that the more a country reduces its consumption of fossil fuel, the greater the reduction in air pollution, especially in regards to CO2 emissions. Over two years ago, Seychelles government launched its first Renewable energy project to cut down on the amount of fuel Seychelles imports, and to also make the country more energy efficient. 8 wind turbines were placed at the port of Victoria, and this currently accounts for 2.2% of total electricity generation in seychelles. This is expected to boost to 15% by 2030. Seychelles saves $2 million from fuel imports, or more importantly, $2 million worth of fuel was not burned to generate electricity. Perhaps the most prominent and successful regulations to reduce air pollution has been implemented on the island of La Digue, the third largest inhabited island in Seychelles in terms of population. As part of a master plan to turn this island into the eco capital of Seychelles, there is a strict policy on limiting the number of authorized vehicles on the island. People are also encouraged to use only eco friendly modes of transport such as bicycles which is in fact the most popular means of transport on the island. Not only do they not have to deal with the hassle of traffic but the people who live there can breathe without having to worry as much as the people on the main island, Mahé. Although Seychelles does indeed have an ambitious plan of reducing air pollution as a whole by one quater of it's current emissions. Considering its small size not only in terms of land area but also population, it is a goal that is attainable by 2025.Such a feat would be much more difficult in bigger countries with equally bigger populations. Since air pollution is not confined to national boundaries, it remains thus a matter of making the decision to pollute less on an individual level. As always.
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4 Comments
Great report!!! Thanks so much for that Keep working green =D
Posted 02-10-2015 23:48
Thanks Arushi, there is more to be done but we are definitely on the right track.
Salil, I remember that visit. Glad to give you more info, and yes you're right in saying that that the environment should be first. Sadly, in many countries especially developing ones, there is this 'Development now, conservation later' mindset. But then, what is left to conserve?
Posted 30-09-2015 13:03
All the best to Seychelles for achieving this ambitious plan. With it's renewable energy projects and eco friendly policies , I am sure it will be able to achieve this and have a much cleaner and purer air by 2025.
Posted 30-09-2015 01:22
Great report Lisa!! We learnt a lot of Seychelles when our PM of India Modi visited your island last year!! & your report added further info. about its environment. SIDS lik Seychelles are very important ecologically hence every country shld endeavor to conserve d environment!!
Development is must but Environment should be first .....
Posted 29-09-2015 14:58