nature

Preserving Paradise: Nature and Environmental Policy Plan 2020-2030

Dutch and Papiamentu below

 The Caribbean Netherlands’ Nature and Environmental Policy Plan 2020-2030 is an integrated plan to safeguard and enhance the natural environment over the next decade. Through this overarching framework and the island specific implementation agendas, a series of programs and projectshave been developed and initiated on the BES islands to help meet the ambitious goals, enhancing overall nature conservation and improving local resilience against climate change.  

NEPP 

The Nature and Environmental Policy plan 2020-2030 (NEPP) presents a strategy, setting ambitious strategic goals and targets that are worked out through milestones and in the island specific implementation agendas. The targets, milestones and measures aim to address pressing environmental challenges and promote sustainable development for the islands of Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius (BES). The aim of this policy is to establish a framework for implementing progressive policies that protect the Caribbean Netherlands’s unique landscapes and biodiversity while combatting climate change. 

French angel fish. Photo credit: MMBockstael-Rubio- all rights reserved

The NEPP has been developed by the Dutch Ministries of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV), Infrastructure and Water Management (I&W) and Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK) in close cooperation with the Public Entities of Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius and local organizations. The plan is a continuation of earlier environmental policies and reflects the Netherlands’ commitment to fulfilling international agreements such as the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the objectives under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Cartagena Convention and its underlying protocols. 

Strategic Goals 

Within this framework, four strategic goals have been laid out. The first is to reverse coral reef degradation through better erosion control, effective waste and wastewater management and through coral reef restoration.  The second strategic goal is to restore and conserve unique habitats and species, which is done through conserving and preserving native habitats and species and combating invasive species.  Strategic goal three concerns the sustainable use of land and water for the development of the local economy, which will focus on sustainable fisheries, balancing tourism with nature conservation and investing in sustainable local food production.  Lastly, the fourth strategic goal aims to create local conditions to ensure sustainable results of nature policy through improved awareness, education and training, employment investments and developing a structural research agenda. 

Programs and projects 

On Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba steering groups have been established to coordinate, monitor, and steer the implementation of the NEPP and the island implementation agenda. Each steering group is chaired by the governor of that island, the members of the steering group are LNV, IenW, BZK and the respective Public Entity. On each island there is a program manager for the implementation of the NEPP and implementation agenda. The program manager is also the secretary of the steering group.  

Taking into consideration the limited capacity on each island, a program structure has been established to effectively initiate, execute, and monitor projects. In close cooperation with and between the steering groups, governments, park authorities, NGOs and private organizations, a set of projects and project proposals have been submitted, are in progress or have been finalized to facilitate meeting these four strategic goals. These projects cover a wide variety of topics including wastewater management, invasive species control, water quality monitoring, habitat restoration and investments in innovative agricultural practices such as hydroponics, just to name a few.  A complete overview of related projects is now available on the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance website (https://dcnanature.org/nepp-overview/) and kept up to date and published monthly in their free digital newsletter “BioNews”(https://dcnanature.org/news/). 

Value 

The Caribbean Netherlands’ Nature and Environmental Policy Plan 2020-2030 represents a significant step forward in the Netherlands’ commitment to sustainable development and environmental protection. By setting ambitious goals and embracing innovative strategies, the plan paves the way for a cleaner, greener, and more resilient future.  

DCNA 

The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) supports (science) communication and outreach in the Dutch Caribbean region by making nature related (scientific) information more widely available through amongst others the Dutch Caribbean Biodiversity Database, DCNA’s news platform BioNews and through the press. This article contains information from several projects but the projects themselves are not DCNA studies. No rights can be derived from the content. DCNA is not liable for the content and the in(direct) impacts resulting from publishing this article. 

 

 

 

Het Natuur- en Milieubeleidsplan 2020-2030 van Caribisch Nederland is een integraal plan om de natuur de komende tien jaar te beschermen en te versterken. Door dit overkoepelende kader en de eilandspecifieke uitvoeringsagenda’s is op de BES-eilanden een reeks programma’s en projecten ontwikkeld en gestart om de ambitieuze doelstellingen te helpen behalen, het algehele natuurbehoud te verbeteren en de lokale weerbaarheid tegen klimaatverandering te verbeteren. 

NMBP 

Het Natuur- en Milieubeleidsplan 2020-2030 (NMBP) presenteert een strategie met ambitieuze strategische doelen en streefdoelen uitgewerkt in mijlpalen en in de eilandspecifieke uitvoeringsagenda’s. De doelen, mijlpalen en maatregelen zijn gericht op het aanpakken van urgente milieu-uitdagingen en het bevorderen van duurzame ontwikkeling voor de eilanden Bonaire, Saba en Sint Eustatius (BES). Het doel van dit beleid is om een kader te creëren voor de uitvoering van vooruitstrevend beleid dat de unieke landschappen en biodiversiteit van Caribisch Nederland beschermt en tegelijkertijd klimaatverandering tegengaat. 

Franse keizervis. Foto credit: MMBockstael-Rubio- alle rechten voorbehouden

Het NMBP is ontwikkeld door de ministeries van Landbouw, Natuur en Voedselkwaliteit (LNV), Infrastructuur en Waterstaat (IenW) en Binnenlandse Zaken en Koninkrijksrelaties (BZK) in nauwe samenwerking met de openbare lichamen Bonaire, Saba en Sint Eustatius en lokale organisaties. Het plan is een voortzetting van eerder milieubeleid en weerspiegelt de Nederlandse inzet voor het nakomen van internationale afspraken zoals the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) van de Verenigde Naties, de doelstellingen van the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) en the Cartagena Convention en de daaraan ten grondslag liggende protocollen. 

Strategische doelen 

Binnen dit kader zijn vier strategische doelen opgesteld. De eerste is om de aantasting van koraalriffen om te keren door betere erosiecontrole, effectief afval- en afvalwaterbeheer en door herstel van koraalriffen. Het tweede strategische doel is het herstel en behoud van unieke leefgebieden en soorten, wat wordt gedaan door inheemse leefgebieden en soorten te behouden en invasieve soorten te bestrijden. Strategisch doel drie betreft het duurzaam gebruik van land en water voor de ontwikkeling van de lokale economie, waarbij de nadruk zal liggen op duurzame visserij, het balanceren van toerisme met natuurbehoud en investeren in duurzame lokale voedselproductie. Het vierde strategische doel, ten slotte, beoogt lokale voorwaarden te scheppen voor duurzame resultaten van het natuurbeleid door middel van betere voorlichting, onderwijs en opleiding, werkgelegenheidsinvesteringen en het ontwikkelen van een structurele onderzoeksagenda. 

Programma’s en projecten 

Op Bonaire, Sint Eustatius en Saba zijn stuurgroepen ingesteld om de uitvoering van het NMBP en de eilandelijke uitvoeringsagenda te coördineren, te monitoren en te sturen. Elke stuurgroep wordt voorgezeten door de gezaghebber van dat eiland. De leden van de stuurgroep zijn LNV, IenW, BZK en het betreffende openbaar lichaam. Op elk eiland is er een programmamanager voor de uitvoering van het NMBP en de uitvoeringsagenda. De programmamanager is tevens secretaris van de stuurgroep. 

Rekening houdend met de beperkte capaciteit op elk eiland, is er een programmastructuur opgezet om projecten effectief te initiëren, uit te voeren en te monitoren. In nauwe samenwerking met en tussen de stuurgroepen, overheden, parkautoriteiten, ngo’s en particuliere organisaties is een reeks projecten en projectvoorstellen ingediend, in uitvoering of afgerond om het behalen van deze vier strategische doelen te vergemakkelijken. Deze projecten hebben betrekking op een breed scala aan onderwerpen, waaronder afvalwaterbeheer, beheersing van invasieve soorten, monitoring van de waterkwaliteit, herstel van leefgebieden en investeringen in innovatieve landbouwpraktijken zoals hydrocultuur, om er maar een paar te noemen. Een compleet overzicht van gerelateerde projecten is nu beschikbaar op de website van de Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (https://dcnanature.org/nepp-overview/) en wordt maandelijks bijgewerkt en gepubliceerd in hun gratis digitale nieuwsbrief “BioNews”(https://dcnanature.org/news/). 

Waarde 

Het Natuur- en Milieubeleidsplan 2020-2030 van Caribisch Nederland is een belangrijke stap voorwaarts in de Nederlandse inzet voor duurzame ontwikkeling en milieubescherming. Door ambitieuze doelen te stellen en innovatieve strategieën te omarmen, maakt het plan de weg vrij voor een schonere, groenere en veerkrachtigere toekomst. 

DCNA 

De Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) ondersteunt (wetenschaps)communicatie en outreach in de Nederlandse Caribische regio door natuurgerelateerde (wetenschappelijke) informatie breder beschikbaar te maken via onder meer de Dutch Caribbean Biodiversity Database, DCNA’s nieuwsplatform BioNews en via de pers. Dit artikel bevat informatie van verschillende projecten, maar de projecten zelf zijn geen DCNA-onderzoeken. Aan de inhoud kunnen geen rechten worden ontleend. DCNA is niet aansprakelijk voor de inhoud en de indirecte gevolgen die voortvloeien uit het publiceren van dit artikel. 

 

 

 

E Plan di Maneho pa Naturalesa i Medio Ambiente 2023-2030 di Hulanda Karibense ta un plan integral pa protehá i fortifiká nos ambiente natural den e próksimo 10 aña. Pa medio di e kuadro general akí i e agèndanan di implementashon spesífiko pa kada isla a desaroyá i inisiá un seri di programa i proyektona e islanan BES pa yuda realisá e metanan ambisioso, mehorá  konservashon en general di naturalesa i mehorá e resiliensia lokal kontra kambio di klima. 

Plan di Maneho pa Naturalesa i Medio Ambiente 2020-2030 

E Plan di Maneho pa Naturalesa i Medio Ambiente 2020-2030 ta presentá un strategia ku metanan stratégiko ambisioso i ophetivonan ku ta keda elaborá pa medio di logronan i den e agèndanan di implementashon spesífiko pa kada isla. E metanan, logronan i medidanan ta enfoká riba atendementu ku desafionan di medio ambiente urgente i riba promoshon di desaroyo sostenibel pa e islanan Boneiru, Saba i Sint Eustatius (BES). Meta di e maneho akí ta pa krea un kuadro pa implementashon di maneho progresivo ku ta protehá e paisahenan úniko i e biodiversidat di Hulanda Karibense i ku na mes momentu ta kombatí kambio di klima. 

French angel fish. Photo credit: MMBockstael-Rubio- all rights reserved

E ministerionan di Agrikultura, Naturalesa i Kalidat di Kuminda (LNV), Infrastruktura i Maneho di Awa (I&W) i Asuntunan di Interior i Relashonnan den Reino (BZK) den kolaborashon estrecho ku e entidatnan públiko Boneiru, Saba i Sint Eustatius i organisashonnan lokal a desaroyá e Plan di Maneho pa Naturalesa i Medio Ambiente 2020-2030. E plan akí ta un kontinuashon di e maneho anterior di medio ambiente i ta reflektá Hulanda su dedikashon pa kumpli ku  tratadonan internashonal, manera e Metanan Sostenibel di Desaroyo (SDG) di Nashonnan Uní, e metanan di e Tratado enkuanto Diversidat Biológiko (CBD) i e Tratado di Cartagena i e protokòlnan ku ta basá riba esaki. 

Metanan stratégiko 

Dentro di e kuadro akí a formulá kuater meta stratégiko. E promé ta pa drai bèk e degradashon di ref di koral pa medio di mihó kontròl riba eroshon, maneho efektivo di desperdisio i awa shushi i restorashon di ref di koral. E di dos meta stratégiko ta restorashon i konservashon di habitatnan i espesienan úniko, loke ta keda realisá pa medio di konservashon i preservashon di habitatnan i espesienan endémiko i pa medio di kombatí espesienan invasivo. E di tres meta stratégiko ta trata di uso sostenibel di tera i awa pa desaroyo di ekonomia lokal, kaminda énfasis lo ta riba piskamentu sostenibel, ponementu di turismo den ekilibrio ku preservashon di naturalesa i invershon den produkshon lokal i sostenibel di kuminda. E di kuater meta stratégiko, finalmente, tin komo ophetivo pa krea kondishonnan lokal pa resultadonan sostenibel di maneho di naturalesa, pa medio di mihó informashon, enseñansa i formashon, invershon den oportunidat pa trabou i desaroyo di un agènda di investigashon struktural. 

Programa i proyekto 

Na Boneiru, Sint Eustatius i Saba a instituí gruponan di direkshon pa kordiná, monitoreá i duna direkshon na implementashon di e Plan di Maneho pa Naturalesa i Medio Ambiente 2020-2030 i e agènda insular di implementashon. Gezaghèber di e isla ta presidí kada grupo di direkshon. E miembronan di e grupo di direkshon ta e ministerionan di Agrikultura, Naturalesa i Kalidat di Kuminda, Infrastruktura i Maneho di Awa, Asuntunan di Interior i Relashonnan den Reino i e entidat públiko en kestion. Na kada isla tin un mènedjer di programa pa implementashon di e  Plan di Maneho pa Naturalesa i Medio Ambiente 2020-2030  i e agènda di implementashon. E mènedjer di programa ta alabes sekretario di e grupo di direkshon. 

Teniendo kuenta ku e kapasidat limitá na kada isla, a establesé un struktura di programa pa inisiá, implementá i monitoreá e proyektonan efektivamente. Den kolaborashon estrecho ku i entre e gruponan di direkshon, gobièrnunan, outoridatnan di parke, organisashonnan no-gubernamental (ngo-nan) i organisashonnan partikular a entregá un seri di proyekto i proposishon pa proyekto ku ta den implementashon òf ku a finalisá, pa fasilitá kumplimentu ku e kuater metanan stratégiko akí. E proyektonan akí ta relashoná ku un variedat amplio di tópiko, entre otro maneho di awa shushi, kontròl di espesienan invasivo, monitoreo di kalidat di awa, restorashon di habitat i invershon den práktika inovativo di agrikultura manera hidrokultura, djis pa menshoná algun. Un bista general kompleto di e proyektonan enbolbí ta disponibel awor riba wèpsait di Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (https://dcnanature.org/nepp-overview/) i ta keda aktualisá mensualmente i publiká den nan boletin di notisia digital grátis ‘BioNews’. 

Balor 

E Plan di Maneho pa Naturalesa i Medio Ambiente pa Hulanda Karibense ta un paso importante padilanti pa loke ta trata Hulanda su dedikashon na desaroyo sostenibel i protekshon di medio ambiente. Pa medio di formulá metanan ambisioso i brasa strategianan inovativo, e plan ta habri kaminda pa un futuro mas limpi, mas bèrdè i mas resiliente. 

DCNA 

Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) ta sostené komunikashon (sientífiko) i ‘outreach’ den region hulandes karibense pa medio di hasi informashon sientífiko relashoná ku naturalesa mas ampliamente disponibel via entre otro Dutch Caribbean Biodiversity Database, DCNA su plataforma di notisia BioNews i via prensa. E artíkulo akí ta kontené informashon di diferente proyekto, pero e proyektonan mes no ta investigashon di DCNA. No por derivá ningun derecho for di e kontenido. DCNA no ta responsabel pa e kontenido i e konsekuensianan indirekto ku ta surgi for di publikashon di e artíkulo akí.  

 

 

Published in BioNews 68

Date
2023
Data type
Media
Theme
Governance
Education and outreach
Legislation
Geographic location
Aruba
Bonaire
Curacao
Saba
Saba bank
St. Eustatius
St. Maarten
Author

Biodiversity Monitoring Strategy - notes from an exploration by parks

Notes from a series of sessions to jointly define a biodiversity monitoring strategy. The sessions were organized by the Dutch Caribben Nature Alliance (DCNA) and Rijksdienst Caribisch Nederland (RCN). Nature parks from Aruba (ARIKOK), Bonaire (STINAPA), Curacao (CARMABI), St.Maarten (Nature Foundation St.Maarten), Saba (Saba Conservation Foundation) and St.Eustatius (STENAPA) contributed to the sessions.

 

Date
2012
Data type
Other resources
Theme
Research and monitoring
Geographic location
Aruba
Bonaire
Curacao
Saba
Saba bank
St. Eustatius
St. Maarten
Author

Dutch cinema hit “The New Wilderness” gets a Caribbean sequel with WOW!

The unique natural world of the Caribbean part of the Kingdom plays the leading role in a special cinema film entitled WOW!. This was announced during the SMILE event at the University of Sint Maarten at a press conference by 360º of Innovation from Aruba and M&N Media Group from the Netherlands. The production of the film about Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, Sint Eustatius and Sint Maarten has begun and the film will launch in cinemas in 2025 both in the Netherlands and on the islands.

from left to right you see Wyb Meijer from SHTA, Melanie Meijer zu Schlochtern from the Nature Foundation Sint Maarten, Ignas van Schaick from EMS films from the Netherlands, Bianca Peters from 360º of Innovation of Aruba, Elton Arends of 360º of Innovation of Aruba and Tadzio Bervoets of DCNA

Bianca Peters, co-founder and director of 360º of Innovation, is delighted: “For us, WOW! Is a dream come true. The film will not only portray the beauty, diversity and resilience of nature on the islands in a special way but also the vulnerability and importance of a healthy balance between people and nature. Audiences on both sides of the Atlantic are sure to be amazed and filled with pride. Viewers will not have realized before how special nature is in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom.”

In close collaboration with the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA), the WOW! production team has started visiting possible film locations. Discussions are also currently taking place with stakeholders to gain a good insight into all the ins and outs of the local nature and the stories and developments on the islands.

“Unfortunately, the islands are often negatively in the news in the Netherlands. With this film, we want to build a bridge based on the connecting power of nature to help improve cooperation between the Netherlands and the islands. Diversity and inclusivity in the film and the production team is an important starting point. After all, we are one Kingdom!”, says Peters.

In addition to the film, the makers are also working on a television series that sheds light on the individual islands from the perspective of the relationship between people and nature. What challenges will there be for the inhabitants of the islands in the coming years in their route to a sustainable relationship with nature? But also which solutions have already been created. Various educational and musical programs are also being developed in which local talents are involved.

“I am extremely proud that we as a distributor are so closely involved in the realization of this special film project. It is obvious that we will use music from the islands as a soundtrack for this,” says Jeffrey de Graaff, co-owner of M&N Media Group.

“It is a great honor to be able to make this film about the six Caribbean islands of the Kingdom. We have already made many worldwide successful films about Dutch nature, such as De Nieuwe Wildernis and De Wilde Stad, but this is the first time that we will be filming on this side of the ocean. Collaboration with local parties is extremely important in this regard. We look forward to visiting all six islands in the upcoming period and exploring what we want to film together with a team of talented makers from diverse backgrounds,” said Ignas van Schaick, EMS FILMS.

The production team of WOW! consists of 360º of Innovation, EMS FILMS and associate producer AM Pictures. M&N Media Group is responsible for worldwide distribution.

The film will be shot over the next two years and is expected to be shown in cinemas in the Netherlands and on the islands in 2025. To learn more about WOW! Visit www.wowthenaturefilm.com or visit the Facebook page @wowthenaturefilm.

 

Published in BioNews 52

Date
2022
Data type
Media
Theme
Education and outreach
Geographic location
Aruba
Bonaire
Curacao
Saba
Saba bank
St. Eustatius
St. Maarten
Author

Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance Highlights Nature’s Economic Value

Kralendijk – The recently concluded Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) convention reminded participants that nature is big business. However, many people are unaware of the varied ways in which nature’s resources can be leveraged to create sustainable economic growth. One of DCNA’s goals is to raise awareness of nature’s potential.

Nature’s Economic Value

Mrs. Hellen van der Wal, chairlady of DCNA, notes that “nature provides us with food and offers us alternatives for entertainment and relaxation. The unique biodiversity that we have in the Dutch Caribbean is a source of attraction for tourists who travel to the region purely to contemplate this nature.” Nature underpins all economic activity and according to the World Wildlife Fund for Nature, nature’s contribution to global GDP was valued at US125 trillion in 2018.

Mrs. Van der Wal leading important discussions during the DCNA convention

Sustainability Concerns

While nature provides opportunities for considerable economic growth, DCNA believes that such growth should not be attained at the expense of natural assets. To protect its unique biodiversity, the Dutch Caribbean islands need to integrate sustainable development practices into policies and long-term plans. To achieve this, nature must be the point of departure in decision-making and in the creation of strategic plans.

DCNA’s Contribution

During the recent convention in Curaçao, DCNA’s board renewed its commitment to intensify efforts to raise awareness of nature’s economic value, particularly among Dutch Caribbean governments. DCNA will also continue to engage the next generation in nature conservation discussions. Youth contribution is of great value, which is why DCNA has created a structural program for young people.

DCNA will also continue to encourage and facilitate credible scientific research, which is needed to navigate a future that will be shaped by climate change-induced challenges and crises. To achieve these important goals, DCNA will continue to build partnerships and raise funds. This is crucial, considering the challenges that resulted from the pandemic.

There is still a lot of work to be done, which is why close collaboration between the six Dutch Caribbean islands is of paramount importance. Mrs. Van der Wal believes the recent convention succeeded in strengthening existing relationships, but many challenges remain. “With the important changes we are making in our governance structure, we are equipping ourselves to better serve our Protected Area Management Organizations in their task to conserve nature and raise awareness. We also want to inform governments more effectively and will therefore continue working on strengthening our relationship and collaboration with the respective governments.” Van der Wal concludes emphasizing that “we cannot talk about sustainable development without talking about nature conservation.”

More information about the DCNA convention can be found on DCNA’s Facebook page: DutchCaribbeanNatureAlliance

 

Article published in Special Edition BioNews: 2021 DCNA Convention

Date
2021
Data type
Media
Theme
Education and outreach
Research and monitoring
Geographic location
Aruba
Bonaire
Curacao
Saba
Saba bank
St. Eustatius
St. Maarten
Author

Bonaire 2050, putting the vision into numbers

Bonaire is facing major challenges including (mass) tourism, population growth, urban expansion, climate change, biodiversity loss and the unilateral dependency on tourism. In thirty years, Bonaire will inevitably look different. Here, two different possible futures are presented, to form a basis for dialogue amongst stakeholders and to stimulate a positive change and sustainability on Bonaire. One of these scenarios follows current trends (business-as-usual), and the other bends those trends into a nature-inclusive future after a vision developed by a trans-disciplinary team of researchers, local experts and stakeholders. For both scenarios drivers and impacts are visualized and documented on climate, tourist numbers, population, infrastructure, resources, land use, erosion and nature. 
Visualizing scenarios is one important piece in creating awareness about the future as it allows to shed light of the difficult to grasp long-term effects, and explicitly showcases current trends. It gives opportunities to imagine a future that looks different from the prognosis, and to inspire to work towards a sustainable and desirable future.

DISCUSSION AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES (excerpt from the report)

With this study, we shed light on measurable impacts to Bonaire if current trends continue as usual; and provided an alternative which can be visualized as a result of nature inclusive policies, actions and land use changes. However steering changes towards nature inclusivity is not only a change in land (and sea) use and indicator values, but to make it a reality it is a change in mindset of an entire community. This cannot happen without the awareness of the trade-offs that nature inclusive actions can bring to the many different stakeholders involved. In this discussion we make a case for the importance of nature inclusivity on Bonaire, and make a start towards a dialogue about the risks, trade-offs and opportunities that may lie ahead.
We have documented the current trends: Bonaire has experienced a quadrupling in population size over the past half century. Cruise tourism started growing exponentially in the mid-2000s, and stay-over tourism steadily increasing. All while access to freshwater with the climate change projections becomes more difficult and costly. While some Dutch Caribbean islands might have experienced a much more explosive increase in tourism and population than Bonaire (e.g. Aruba), other islands experience more stability (e.g. Saba). Anecdotal evidence from other islands (see Bonaire reporter, 2022), as well as the projections showcased in this report imply that if Bonaire wants to stay relevant as a tourist destination and support its growing population the island needs to focus on its long-term assets.
The scenarios in this report were described using indicators that progress along the trends and rates of the past several years. While these assumptions include some climate change parameters like gradual warming, and gradually reduced precipitation, they fail to consider implications of unforeseen natural disasters, or increasing severe weather conditions which will take a toll on the island. Neither do the scenario projections consider any changes in world trade processes for food or fuel. An honest look at the state of the island for the next 30 years under the Business as Usual projections indicates that sustaining such growth under the current (environmental or political) conditions of the planet are relatively short-lived, and are built on a set of fragile assumptions.
Naturally, trends described in the nature inclusive scenario imply (policy) choices with varying effects on each sector as shown using several indicators. In some cases, the rates compared to the BaU scenario will be slower (population growth due to immigrants, stay-over tourism, urbanisation), while with other indicators/sectors growth rates will increase (greenness, agricultural land, green and wind energy use and water collection). Specific implications of a scenario can be beneficial, while others can be unfavourable, depending on the agenda of each particular stakeholder. An example of such a trade-off is the extensive local food production under the nature inclusive scenario: in the foreseen closed agricultural system there is far less need for off-island nutrient imports. As fewer nutrients are brought onto the island, this reduces the harm from foreign particles to the environment and the reef. As such, the reef is more likely to stay healthy and can continue to be a major tourist attraction. Nevertheless, individuals currently working in the food import logistics sector may experience a decrease in business. This may be overcome by jobs created through the growing local food production industry, but awareness of this trade-off is important when instigating changes. Attractiveness of the nature inclusive scenario in the short-term depends on the stakeholder. While in the long-term, the implication of the nature-inclusive scenario is of an island prosperity that is inclusive for everyone and ensures sustainability. One which is much less dependent on the few precarious pillars on which it is currently built: food and fuel importation.
Another crucial trade-off of the nature inclusive scenario is the implication of water and waste collection. This requires significant infrastructural investments (sceptic tank collection, or rooftop collection installations, appropriate facilities and road ways to ensure this, and home fitting) which requires not only government support, but individual support and repeated actions. It means a change in routine, from linear to circular consumption. Routine is a difficult circuit to make or break. This will require a cultural understanding of the benefits and wholehearted will to change the norm. It may require a big investment in time and energy in the short-term to create a long term self-sustaining infrastructure

Date
2022
Data type
Research report
Theme
Research and monitoring
Report number
3168
Geographic location
Bonaire
Image