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.