Time just ran out for Trinidad

While the rest of the planet has had its collective concern focused on the findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Trinidad and Tobago continues oblivious to its findings. In fact, we are quite confident that the majority of citizens, and certainly the government, have no clue as to what we are referring to. We have written about Trinidadians being ignorant, in general, to factor-in global issues of concern with regard to Trinidad's future sustainable development. In true Third World propensity for zero long-term economic policy management that fails to adapt to a changing global environment (a PNM virtue), Patrick Manning has based Trinidad's entire economic platform on energy dependent gas-guzzling heavy industry. As of 23:52 Greenwich Mean Time today, the folly of the blind leading the blind has been reprised.

The Kyoto Protocol expires in the year 2012. A replacement draft resolution was agreed upon today in Washington. The new draft will now impel developing nations to cap their carbon dioxide emissions. Trinidad ranks in the top ten of per capita carbon dioxide emitters, and when the three aluminium smelters come on-stream, Trinidad will occupy the top spot. The new draft protocol renders arguments of per capita emissions versus total carbon dioxide emissions obsolete. Trinidad will be one of the hardest hit developing nations irrespective of any specious arguments to the otherwise. It is yet unclear what sanctions developing countries may face if they defy the new draft when it comes into effect, possibly by 2009. Certainly, sanctions will not be Trinidad's only problem, as to restructure the economy now in order to meet our global responsibilities will be a monumental task. We will soon be called to account for our headlong rush towards unsustainable industrialization in lieu of environmental considerations. And we will be found wanting.

The PNM is expert at winning elections and entrenching its power base. Governance, however, both historically and today, is beyond its capability. The judgment of the world community today is the strongest indictment yet against Patrick Manning's "Vision 2020". He will not pay the price for his lack of vision - you will. We hope voters in Trinidad move into the alien realm of choosing a prospective government based on the said prospective government's collective vision for both local and global issues, and for the expertise and intelligence offered by its members. We fear, however, that hope springs eternal.

- February 2007