The government of the Bahamas is launching an “ambitious” solarization program over the next five years, Bahamas Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis said this week.

Through its Sustainable Nassau Project, the government will better integrate smart technology to ensure that Bahamians use less energy in public buildings, schools and street lighting.

“As a low-lying nation chain, our development strategies must be smart and sustainable,” Minnis said. “Eighty percent of the landmass in The Bahamas will be threatened by a one meter rise in the sea level.”

“Even as we urge the larger nations of the world to reduce their enormous carbon footprint, and to help Small Island Developing States to mitigate the effects of climate change, we must play our part in developing sustainable energy,” he said.

“Climate change is a global challenge that does not respect national borders,” U.N. Officials report. “Emissions anywhere affect people everywhere. It is an issue that requires solutions that need to be coordinated at the international level and it requires international cooperation to help developing countries move toward a low-carbon economy.”

These officials points to affordable, scalable solutions available to enable countries to reach cleaner, more resilient economies.

Among these options are renewable energy and a range of other measures that will reduce emissions and increase adaptation efforts.

“We should be diligent in putting in action, plans for renewable energy and energy efficiency from the sun, wind, the oceans, rivers and lakes,” Minnis said.

— Dana Niland, CJ Contributor