Statia highlights the importance of sustainability

St Eustatius is hosting an St Eustatius Tourism Development Foundation (STDF) sponsored event, promoting the importance of sustainability in the community. The highly anticipated conference and exhibition coincides with World Tourism Day, established by the World Trade Organisation (WTO), and takes an entirely unique approach whereby attendants are encouraged to participate in the proceedings at every juncture.

The Statia Sustainable Conference and Exhibition aims to expand the awareness of sustainability in the community by 20 percent and to teach those in attendance that sustainability is much more than merely recycling cardboard boxes and fitting energy efficient light bulbs.

Maintaining St Eustatius’ well-being is highly dependent upon its inhabitants ability to abide by high standards of sustainability. As such, shifts in attitude can make all the difference in preserving and growing the island’s economic opportunities for now and for generations to come.

The event includes a wide range of esteemed speakers from both the local area and abroad, and covers a range of fascinating subjects centred on matters of sustainability. Special attention is being paid to water, namely issues relating to coastal management and marine special planning, with the resource being particularly valuable to the island’s inhabitants.

“Water is synonymous with life, especially on a small island such as Statia where we are still very much dependent on rain water — every aspect of our economic development can be linked, directly or indirectly, to the availability of water,” writes Darlene Berkel, a Sustainable Committee Member in Statia on the event’s Facebook page. “This conference is therefore vitally important, since it provides an opportunity for us to focus our attention on this vital resource and explore ways to ensure sustainable sources of water, as well as efficient and effective ways of collecting, producing, and managing water, both for our own survival as well as for sustainable economic development.”

Among those speaking at the event is Earlston McPhee, a Bahamas representative on the International Task Force for Sustainable Tourism Development; Hannah Madden, who has worked for organisations such as Amnesty International and Child Helpline International, and is currently employed as National Park Ranger/Education Officer by STENAPA; and José Juan Terrasa-Soler, a landscape architect, ecologist, development consultant, university professor, and business owner with a wealth of experience in matters of sustainability.

Tickets are still available now for the conference being held at the Mike Van Putten Youth Centre, which is also host to a number of local businesses selling sustainable products.