What is interesting is that these 3 C values were originally
created by the family of Sarah Edwards, whose father purchased the island in
the 70’s, in order to manage the island. Only later did they find out that the
exact same values were being expressed in a book called “The Sustainability
Revolution” by Andres R. Edward. His concept, the 3 E’s: ecology/environment,
economy/employment, and equity/equality prove that these values truly are
important to any kind of sustainable living.
I had never thought that business models could work with
sustainability; that development and conservation could be a pair. However, my
experience in this country has changed that. I have seen Belize Natural Energy,
an oil company, stress the three E’s in its practices. This island that aims to
sustain itself with rainwater also expresses their desire to build more resorts
in order to bring in capital. Upon hearing that this island that is so committed
to preserving the environment and not creating a human footprint isn’t planning
on hiding away this reserve, but rather bring people to it, I was confused.
Sarah Edwards explained that they value commerce coming in because the island
needs it.
Why is that? Part of it is that the island couldn’t be up
kept without fund coming in, but it also to ensure that the outside world is
invested in this place – because that means they are more willing to fight for
it and protect it. If they didn’t know it existed and never saw its beauty,
they would have no incentive to safeguard it – or may not even know that these
efforts were being made in the first place. Another reason is that observing
the sustainable nature of how the island owners have been able to blend
commerce and environmental protection serves as an educational tool for all
visitors.
Opening up the island to the public will actually have more
of an impact than simply preserving it and keeping it away from the world.
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