Be careful with switching to a green economy

THE EDITOR: Local pundits have been discussing the desperate situation in Sri Lanka today. By and large they have attempted to give the reasons why Sri Lanka has found itself in this turmoil. While reasons put forward have some validity – poor government, corruption, etc – more research should have been done to find out exactly what happened.

The Sri Lankan Government some time ago decided it would become a green economy, and indeed would become a leader in the field. In fact it did. It has one of the highest scores, if not the highest, in getting rid of carbon emissions. Of course, going green comes at a very high price. A price that Sri Lanka could ill afford, as it is now painfully aware.

Along the way it destroyed its agriculture and tourism, the main contributors to the economy and where it earns most of its foreign exchange. As far as agriculture was concerned, it went organic and, because of high prices, lost its export market, at the same time collapsing the local market. High prices also contributed to the loss of tourism.

But this does not stop in Sri Lanka. Denmark, of all places, one of the green leaders in Europe, is having riots. The agricultural community is up in arms as to what is taking place. Another example is Ghana. Riots for the same reason.

The stark reality is that fossil fuels drive the world’s economies and that will continue to be so for the foreseeable future. Germany has cut back on its ambitions. There are rumblings in France. And the list goes on.

And dare I now refer to the United States? The present administration’s intent to shut down fossil energy, in less than one year, sees the US heading for Third World status. It has the worst negative numbers of any administration over the last 40 years, because of the green and woke policies.

I urge TT to tread very carefully.

F MOUTTET

Westmoorings