How green are the Manifestos?
Candidates talk about environment issues, but do they
really care?:
by Mary Eliot
With depleting natural resources and environmental pollution issues
of growing concern, political contestants are drawing attention to the
'Go Green Campaign'. However, environmental scientist, Professor
Hemantha Withanage of the Centre for Environmental Justice is sceptical
about the promises that politicians are giving the public regarding the
Go Green Campaign.
He points out that politicians are purchasing land and leasing it for
business purposes and ignoring the emission of carbon dioxide and other
toxic fumes into the environment.
The concept of the Green Economy gives importance to renewable energy
as an alternative to using fossil fuels, which pollute the environment.
'Green' power such as wind farms and solar power exist in Sri Lanka, but
these energy technologies are expensive and therefore governments are
unwilling to invest in them.
Pubudu Weeraratne, an environmental lawyer states that environmental
pollution is causing climate change and rising sea levels, which is a
serious concern for Sri Lanka. The unpredictable droughts, the rise in
the temperature and the lack of rain also results from environmental
pollution.
He also says the Coastal Conservation Act plays an integral part in
protecting marine life and developing the coastal eco system, but that
politicians have not done enough to protect the environment.
However, a compelling counter argument is made in the election
manifestos of the UNP, SLFP, JVP and TNA, which pledge to protect the
environment.
The parties are focusing on reducing the use of polythene during
election campaigns and are putting up posters and cloth banners and have
also promised to further develop the agriculture sector, protect the eco
system and encourage tourism.
Apparently taking into account the shortcoming of the Uma Oya and
Port City Projects, environmental groups are also insisting on
feasibility reports and adherence to the rules and regulations.
Fossil fuels emitted from car exhausts has been identified as a major
cause for environmental pollution, and the Go Green campaign initiated
by Multi Finance is introducing hybrid vehicles which are both
economical and environment friendly. Go Green focuses on some of more
popular hybrid cars in Sri Lanka. |