MINISTER of the Environment and Natural Resources Vaughn Miller and a delegation from the ministry recently toured the Island School in South Eleuthera.
The school incorporates systems and design principles that minimise its ecological footprint through the conservation of energy, water, and waste.
Mr Miller encouraged school officials and students in their pursuits, noting that as stewards of the environment, “it is important to maintain a delicate balance between sustainable development and prevention of wasteful use of resources”.
The school’s green power initiatives include a biodiesel production plant to run all campus vehicles; cisterns for rainwater collection; solar panels to capture energy and heat water; wind turbines to harness wind energy; invasive Casuarina wood repurposed as campus furniture; an aquaponics system providing leafy greens for the dining hall; a garden to process waste and fertilise; a biodigester for fertiliser production; and pigs, goats, ducks and chickens that recycle food waste.
Mr Miller said: “The school can be designated as an asset for Eleuthera and by extension, the entire Bahamas. This project is very important for the survival of a lot of our native species, especially those that live in the ocean. The school has a large aquaponics facility, with their main focus being the lifespan of the tilapia. Research is also being done on how climate change is impacting our grouper. This would allow for the grouper’s life to be enabled/preserved in The Bahamas to ensure sustainability.”
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