Earth Lung: a sovereign state that is carbon clean

By Natasha Gunaratne

Climate change is a global problem which all nations are struggling to get a better understanding on and take imperative and substantive steps in order to combat the destruction to the environment and its impact on tourism is also a vital aspect.

Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourist Board (SLTB) Renton De Alwis organized a presentation recently with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority to address steps that Sri Lanka can take to become a carbon neutral nation this past week. De Alwis also addressed the attack on the Anuradhapura airbase last Monday and said it was important to manage what happened and to pick up the pieces and carry on. He said the tourism industry is not naïve as to believe the attack will not affect business but added that it is essential to promote Sri Lanka as a tourist destination and forge ahead.

Ignoring climate change will not help Sri Lanka. "We have to ride the wave or we will miss it," De Alwis said. "People will go elsewhere." The four key areas in which changes must be made can be achieved through the tourist industry and will result in alleviating tourist guilt. The first is to stop deforestation. The second is to re-forest and replant the correct trees. The third is energy conservation and the fourth is combating pollution. In fact, measurements are being developed in order to gauge carbon emissions from hotels. De Alwis said that in Singapore, the government is giving tax breaks to hotels that have installed solar panels on their roofs. This might be something Sri Lanka should also consider if it is serious about making substantive changes.

Managing Director of Jetwing, Hiran Cooray said eco tourism or sustainable tourism was the most talked about subject in tourism around the world. Cooray said the goal for Sri Lanka is to become a leader in fighting climate change and become the 'Costa Ria of Asia.' When it comes to combating climate change, Cooray said people are most worried that the government will increase taxes and more specifically, that the government will tax the airline industry. Just recently in Britain, a tax of 40 pounds was levied on economy class passengers and a tax of 80 pounds on business class passengers. "This will affect Sri Lanka," he said.

Cooray added that the goal must be to make long haul travelers feel more comfortable when traveling to destinations that are eco-friendly and environmentally sound. More importantly, he said this made business sense. Initial costs might be high but there are funding agencies. Climate change is a sure thing, Cooray said. There are other priorities but he reiterated the importance of working on climate change for long term sustainability. He said there is enough leadership and scientific minds in Sri Lanka to make the necessary changes. "You will not see results tomorrow," he said but added that it is a great opportunity for the country.

Professor of Zoology at the University of Colombo, Sarath Kotagama said the task at hand is not impossible and to start by making small changes such as conserving electricity. "Change the amount of energy we are using because it will cost you a mint," he said. According to Kotagama, the future lies in thermal power. "Hydro is out," he added. He echoed the sentiments of De Alwis in saying that everything must make business sense but will take an effort from everyone. The end goal must be profitability and respect. "This is an opportunity for environmentalists to help the industry."