Ecologically the islands are the example to follow

The environmental issue is causing great concern worldwide as the effects of pollution on populations are becoming increasingly visible. However, governments are caught between the urgency of the situation and the lobbies of various economic sectors that want to preserve their practices and privileges. In this context, it is not surprising that the idéalists do not manage to find their place and slam the door like the former minister Nicolas Hulot. If the fight is therefore raging in the various countries, this is less the case in the îles.

In fact, these small territories suffer even more harshly from the effects of climate change. With rising waters and the dykes that form not far from them in the ocean, these environments are more aware of the ecology. To the point where it might be time for the continents to look to the îles and learn from them.

Islanders turn to cleaner sources of energy

Insular populations are becoming more interested in environmental issues and ways to make a difference. For example, Palau in Micronesia requires tourists who want to enjoy the white sand beaches to take an oath not to damage the environment they must respect. Iceland has done the same without the coercive aspect yet. From its side, Tetiaroa has become a scientific laboratory and a place of learning. And everything ça grâce à a movie star. Marlon Brando demanded that this paradise be a place of biodiversity and environmental preservation after his death. It includes a tourist site frequented by the largest British cities. Thus, the amounts invested are used for research, among other things.

At the energy level, many island territories are seeking to move away from fossil fuels. Whether it is the Finistère in France, the Îles-de-la-Madeleine in Québec and elsewhere on other archipelagos, this issue is paramount since it seems that it is these bits of land that are responsible for setting an example. Some of them even going against the plans of the central government as the Balinese who want more green energy autonomy, despite Madrid's tougher intentions.

In receiving the French Secretary of State, French Polynesia recalled how since almost the middle of the 20th ^century the country has been doing everything to preserve its ecosystems. The remote and remote country has become a hub of research on corals and marine cosystems.

Identified experimental grounds

The îles are perfect territories to try out projects. Indeed, while it is difficult to implement energy and agricultural changes on the continents, testing small-scale is easier. For example, while China’s major cities suffer from air pollution, the Chongming île off the coast of Shanghai could become one of China’s few 100% green places. The territory is turning to wind turbines and solar panels in addition to implementing green roofs. Organic farming is also prevalent. And it is not the only one that has focused on a greener food industry. The R&E is even cited as a concrete example. The agricultural innovation and transfer networks have been diversifying plant and animal production and implementing healthier and more environmentally friendly approaches since 2011.

The R&A will work to develop more sustainable agriculture in the coming years. Urban agglomerations will become garden cities where co-construction and reduction of heat islands will be the order of the day. An ambitious project that should be completed by 2045. Moreover, the company will be able to benefit from help from the Centre québécois de transfert technologique en écologie industrielle to further develop a circular economy. A partnership that could help the government in its drive to become greener.

Illustration : LeeLeFever on Foter.com / CC BY-NC

References

« Chongming, Près De Shanghai, Une île écologique ? » Jardin De Chine. Last update: November 10, 2017. http://www.jardindechine.com/article-chongming-pres-de-shanghai-une-ile-ecologique-71726153.html.

 CTTEI Will Help L’Ile De La Réunion à Déployer Léconomie Circulaire - CTTÉI. » CTTÉI. Last updated: March 8, 2018. http://www.cttei.com/cttei-aidera-lile-de-reunion-a-deployer-leconomie-circulaire/.

« Les “îles De Déchets”, Un Désastre écologique. » Tdg.ch. Last updated: November 25, 2017. https://www.tdg.ch/monde/ameriques/iles-dechets-desastre-ecologique/story/23791244.

« Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine Initiate La Transition énergétique. » ENvironnement JEUnesse. Last updated: January 24, 2018. https://enjeu.qc.ca/iles-de-madeleine-amorcent-transition-energetique/.

 L’île Tahitienne De Brando : Quand Luxe Et écologie Font Cause Commune. » TAHITI INFOS. Last update: September 20, 2017. https://www.tahiti-infos.com/L-ile-tahitienne-de-Brando-quand-luxe-et-ecologie-font-cause-commune_a164812.html.

« L’écocité Insulaire Et Tropicale, Un Grand Projet Réunionnais. »gion Réunion - Site Du Conseil Régional De La Réunion. Last updated: June 6, 2018. https://www.regionreunion.com/actualite/toute-l-actualite/article/l-ecocite-insulaire-et-tropicale-un-grand-projet-reunionnais.

Nelsen, Arthur. The Balinese Are Preparing for a Future Without Missions ? » Euractiv.com. Last update: February 19, 2018. https://www.euractiv.fr/section/climat/news/balearics-launch-pioneering-plan-to-phase-out-emissions/.

Pages, Rémi-Kenzo.  Annick Girardin : “La Réunion Est Le Territoire D’outre-mer Le Plus Dynamique En Agro-écologie”. » Portail D’information Sur L’agriculture Et La Biodiversité Dans L’océan Indien. Last update: November 6, 2017. http://www.agriculture-biodiversite-oi.org/Actualites-du-portail/Actualites-du-portail/Annick-Girardin-La-Reunion-est-le-territoire-d-outre-mer-le-plus-dynamique-en-agro-ecologie.

Tissot, Capucine. « Les Îles Palaos Obligent Les Touristes À Prêter Serment À L’environnement. » The Weather Channel. Last updated: December 11, 2017. https://weather.com/fr-FR/france/news/news/2017-12-11-iles-palos-touristes-preter-serment-environnement-lois.

  Transition écologique : L’example De La Polynésie Présenté Au Secrétaire DéEtat. » TAHITI INFOS. Last updated: September 14, 2017. https://www.tahiti-infos.com/Transition-ecologique-l-exemple-de-la-Polynesie-presente-au-secretaire-d-Etat_a164666.html.

 A Day On The Energy And Technology Transition Of The Finistère. » Région_Bretagne. Last updated: September 5, 2017. http://www.bretagne.bzh/jcms/prod_404382/fr/une-journee-sur-la-transition-energetique-et-ecologique-des-iles-du-finistere.

 A Station Décologie Expérimentale Pour étudier Les Récifs Coralliens à Moorea. » TAHITI INFOS. Last update: April 11, 2018. https://www.tahiti-infos.com/Une-station-d-ecologie-experimentale-pour-etudier-les-recifs-coralliens-a-Moorea_a170762.html.