the great green hope

As 2020 seems all but a blur or faded memory now, we look forward to the future with a cautious but hopeful outlook. Tobago in particular would be highlighted as a space that is guaranteed to heat up as the perpetual 'silly season' commenced just before the turn of and entry into the new year. Citizens are being asked to exercise their franchise with a view of deciding who takes Tobago forward into the next political term (4 years). Would it be the age old machinery of traditional following, or the 'young blood' with a passionate disposition and standpoint, such are the descriptions being considered for this electoral process. The question is...
Who will be the great "green" hope? 

Having described the much discussed political messages and execution of this, one must consider if any leader, political organization, or even message includes a 'green' way of thinking. Think of this as a readymade template for governance and effective leadership. Could a green centered party or organization who's objective is to protect the planet and make conservation mandatory should have a vote? Add to that a very aggressive but yet structured approach to inclusion of the Sustainable development goals (SDG's) should be considered when trying to get off the 'fence' to make a decision when voting. 

By right, every citizen has the opportunity to scrutinize and critique in depth what they see as adding value to the environment. How does governance support the role of the environment in terms of decision making processes and any legislative push for greater conservation, climate change adaptation and resilience building in the process?
Such are the questions an informed, conscious and concerned population should be asking.
Why not green?  Why not find a way to introduce more initiatives to reduce carbon footprint?
The idea certainly sounds 'green', as such thoughts and factors are still very much in its infantile stages where our population is concerned. We will get there slowly but surely, but the question is when. 

With the SDG's being very much part of the international template for good governance and by extension leadership, how does Tobago see itself in this regard? As far as I see on a cultural level, the capacity for being as expressive and creative as possible in all output has always been part and parcel of the way things are done locally. Having said that, why not use some of this energy exerted on 'performance' in a theatrical sense, to performance on a level of planning for a sustainable future, and creating an environment where our children, and their children can see the value and need to conserve, reduce, and reuse. 

AN APPEAL TO PARTIES VYING FOR LEADERSHIP
If there has ever been a time to see the importance of sustaining ourselves and finding that delicate but important balance between the natural environment, is now. We cannot go forward without considering the last year and the very hard lessons learned. Less is certainly more, and learning to survive without the lavished luxuries that the society sees as "development". 

This said development that is all but an elusive goal at this point, cannot be reached until a 'green' approach is taken. That friendly neighborhood farmer, community garden, and educator that wants to incorporate agricultural practices in his content and output, are the people that should be in focus at this time. The minimalistic but yet sustainable approach should be more than welcomed in society's eyes now as the COVID 19 pandemic has proven to be an eye opener. Also it served to be an indicator as to where we are in terms of priorities.  

AUTONOMY CAN ALSO MEAN SELF SUFFICIENCY AND SUSTAINABILITY:
As this burning desire for internal self governance and improvement of the current structure of the Tobago House of Assembly, consideration must be given to how 'secure' Tobago can be without input from central government. All of this talk about Tobago becoming the 'bread basket' of the southern Caribbean, can never be a reality when we are still heavily dependent on proceeds from the central government coffers, and refuse to examine our own dependency syndrome on handouts and initiatives on instruction from the national parliament.

If the assembly and those vying to control it, are very serious about this 'economic and legislative independence', then Tobago must take the bull by the horns and embrace the 'green' way of thinking and doing.
The great green hope can actually be the catalyst for that thrust for food and water security that is the basis for any society becoming self sufficient. Add poverty reduction and a working knowledge and respect for life on land and in water (Tobago being the smaller of a developing state in any case). We can surely consider this as taking steps in the right direction 

To those of us that are fanatic, religious and even committed to a political cause or political entity, consider this. If our life depended on our vote (as in actual survival of our species, humanity and planet) as it stands we would be extinct as quickly as we inhale the air around us. So when considering an administration and their policies, ask the question.
How green are they in their approach?
Let this be a guide in deciding who or what populates the corridors of political power for the next term in office.