Paradise island on the brink GUEST VOCALS Struan Stevenson on environmental responsibility IT'S AN 11-and-a-half hour flight to Reunion Island from Charles De Gaulle Airport in Paris. This is considered by the French to be a "domestic" flight, because although Reunion Island, or Ile de La Réunion, lies in the heart of the Indian Ocean, it is part of the EU.
But Ile de La Réunion differs from the rest of continental Europe in one very significant way. It is a relatively young, volcanic island, rich in biodiversity, with an abundance of exotic fauna and flora and a diverse population of Creoles.
The island was the ideal place, therefore, to hold the first conference on countering climate change and biodiversity loss in the remote overseas territories and outermost countries of the EU.
There is a recognition that these communities are on the front line of climate change. Their isolated geographical position makes them vulnerable to rising sea levels and crumbling coastlines. Hurricanes, cyclones, droughts and floods are likely to multiply and aggravate their fragile environment. Their very existence, based on agriculture, fishing and tourism, is under imminent threat.
By the end of the week the key declaration from the conference proposed that the EU should set up an action programme aimed at biodiversity conservation. There was also a call for greater co-operation involving the outermost territories in EU-wide research programmes, and the launching of a scheme to fight invasive alien species which have wreaked havoc on indigenous flora and fauna. There was a plea for governments, big business and NGOs to work in partnership to find solutions.
As I queued to board the return flight to Paris, I recalled the words of the president of the regional council - Paul Vergès - who told us it was fortunate his island had only been inhabited by man for little more than 360 years. In that time, 22 species of birds, three species of reptile and three species of bat have been hunted to extinction. Alien plants have devastated forests and natural habitats.
If man had been here longer, he mused, the rich biodiversity of Reunion Island would have been totally destroyed. It was a salutary lesson. It brought home to me how even a lush, tropical paradise like Ile de La Réunion can be ruined through mankind's greed and stupidity.
Struan Stevenson is a Conservative Euro MP representing Scotland. He is vice-president of the ruling EPP-ED group in the European parliament and president of the sustainable development intergroup
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Posted by: Wardog, Buckie on 9:20pm Sat 19 Jul 08
Tory Struan Stevenson simply confirming the worst aspects of the EU Gravy Train.... on purpose perhaps.
Are the Tories for an Independent UK outside of the EU?
Well Annabelle?
Tory Struan Stevenson simply confirming the worst aspects of the EU Gravy Train.... on purpose perhaps.
Are the Tories for an Independent UK outside of the EU?
Well Annabelle?
Posted by: Wenceslas, Clacks on 12:11am Sun 20 Jul 08
[bold]mankind's greed and stupidity.[/bold] - kind of sums up the Tory party approach doesnt it?
Which other MSPs went on this holiday?
mankind's greed and stupidity. - kind of sums up the Tory party approach doesnt it?
Which other MSPs went on this holiday?
Posted by: Niall McKillop, West Highlands on 12:18am Sun 20 Jul 08
Nice one Struan - no sense of irony, you MEPs, have you!
Nice one Struan - no sense of irony, you MEPs, have you!
Posted by: Mark, Bearsden on 10:47am Sun 20 Jul 08
Utter hypocracy. Does Struan not think his 2 eleven hour flights to the resort added to climate change. Save carbon output and use video conferencing or does he fear losing his expenses paid junket. GET YOUR NOSE OUT OF THE TROUGH STRUAN.
Utter hypocracy. Does Struan not think his 2 eleven hour flights to the resort added to climate change. Save carbon output and use video conferencing or does he fear losing his expenses paid junket. GET YOUR NOSE OUT OF THE TROUGH STRUAN.
Posted by: Peter Raines, London on 4:48pm Sun 20 Jul 08
I share a healthy sinicism with others of MEP's but the comments I have read so far regarding Struan's article are way off the mark. I attended the Reunion conference and like most others present, was mightily impressed with what Struan had to say and the energy, commitment and hard work he put into the proceedings over the few days he was there.
I share a healthy sinicism with others of MEP's but the comments I have read so far regarding Struan's article are way off the mark. I attended the Reunion conference and like most others present, was mightily impressed with what Struan had to say and the energy, commitment and hard work he put into the proceedings over the few days he was there.
Posted by: Craig, Glasgow on 8:40pm Sun 20 Jul 08
[quote][bold]Peter Raines[/bold] wrote:
I share a healthy sinicism with others of MEP's but the comments I have read so far regarding Struan's article are way off the mark. I attended the Reunion conference and like most others present, was mightily impressed with what Struan had to say and the energy, commitment and hard work he put into the proceedings over the few days he was there.[/quote] Peter, so who paid your fare and why did you have to travel there? As Mark said why could the conference not be held as a video conference with meetings in differennt countries or continents linked electronically. This is the 21st century not the 19th. It is a perfectly valid criticism of the polititians in this case and others that they appear to like the Kudos of long distance travel and not care about the effects on the planet.
Peter Raines wrote:
I share a healthy sinicism with others of MEP's but the comments I have read so far regarding Struan's article are way off the mark. I attended the Reunion conference and like most others present, was mightily impressed with what Struan had to say and the energy, commitment and hard work he put into the proceedings over the few days he was there.
Peter, so who paid your fare and why did you have to travel there? As Mark said why could the conference not be held as a video conference with meetings in differennt countries or continents linked electronically. This is the 21st century not the 19th. It is a perfectly valid criticism of the polititians in this case and others that they appear to like the Kudos of long distance travel and not care about the effects on the planet.
Posted by: Peter Raines, London on 9:36pm Sun 20 Jul 08
Craig (Nosurname), I paid my way. If you call a gathering of the magnitude of this one, do you do so by remote video conferencing? Of course you don't! This is indeed the 21st century and 21st century rules and technologies apply (indeed, did!), but it will be a sad world when people stop realising the true strength and nature of how humans best effectively communicate (worse, are somehow dissallowed by others to meet face-to-face) as that is when most true and lasting friendships and forging of relationships, bonds, trusts and parting of knowledge and experiences beggin. When a member of my family is dying, do you honestly think I would be so inhumane and insult family & friends by inviting them to a 'virtual' bedside? Biodiveristy is dying - do you honestly think it right to do the same?
Craig (Nosurname), I paid my way. If you call a gathering of the magnitude of this one, do you do so by remote video conferencing? Of course you don't! This is indeed the 21st century and 21st century rules and technologies apply (indeed, did!), but it will be a sad world when people stop realising the true strength and nature of how humans best effectively communicate (worse, are somehow dissallowed by others to meet face-to-face) as that is when most true and lasting friendships and forging of relationships, bonds, trusts and parting of knowledge and experiences beggin. When a member of my family is dying, do you honestly think I would be so inhumane and insult family & friends by inviting them to a 'virtual' bedside? Biodiveristy is dying - do you honestly think it right to do the same?
Posted by: Craig Shaw, Glasgow on 1:26pm Mon 21 Jul 08
Peter said
waffle waffle waffle platitude waffle.
I looked you up to see that you are in the Eco tourism business getting western volunteers to pay thousands on an eco holiday where they "work" to save the environment. So flying people thousands of miles to save the planet is nothing new to you.
The waste of resources of this conference are unbelievable, a holiday for politicians and their hangers on and nothing more.
Peter said
waffle waffle waffle platitude waffle.
I looked you up to see that you are in the Eco tourism business getting western volunteers to pay thousands on an eco holiday where they "work" to save the environment. So flying people thousands of miles to save the planet is nothing new to you.
The waste of resources of this conference are unbelievable, a holiday for politicians and their hangers on and nothing more.
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