Nevis 1 Geothermal Drill Site
Charlestown, Nevis
July 08, 2008
Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for Social Transformation Hon. Hensley Daniel believes that Nevis’ move toward the use of geothermal energy would not only solidify the island’s economic base to facilitate social and economic transformation but would also solidify the country’s commitment to reduce global warming and contribute to the Green revolution.
His comment came while he gave support to a landmark Bill, the Nevis Geothermal Resources Development Ordinance, 2008, which was passed in the Nevis Island Assembly on July 08, 2008.
“This is a small contribution to the development of renewable energy, a major contribution to conservation. I believe that the Nevis Historical and Conservation Society (NHCS) will be proud of our [NIA] new efforts and Nevis may just qualify as a green community.
“This marks a paradigm shift away from global warming with the burning of fossil fluids to the use of alternative and renewable energy.
“This is our way of meeting the requirements set out by the Kyoto Protocol of 1997, in which we [Nevis] along with 179 other countries committed ourselves to reduce emissions of six greenhouse gases including carbon dioxide. We will certainly be able to meet emissions targets by 2012,” he said.
Mr. Daniel explained that the earth was getting too hot, glaciers were melting and the El Nino and La Nina Phenomena was wrecking havoc in tropical, low lying countries through flooding and hurricane.
However, through the use of renewable energy, he was certain that Nevis could make a major contribution in the reduction of greenhouse gasses, which scientists have credited for the onset of global warming.
Continued global warming, he said, reduced the quality of life, increased health risks and had a negative impact on the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The Minister said too that through this new initiative, Nevis stood to benefit financially from its reduction of carbon dioxide.
“We expect Carbon Credits with this major contribution to reduce global warming. We can try applying for Certified Reduction Units and trade them. A cap and trade system can be used to deal with the carbon dioxide emissions. Countries that emit less than their quota, can sell the unused permits in open market. We can make millions by reducing carbon dioxide emissions. So we are doing well,” he said.