A more environmentally friendly option for transportation as part of efforts to combat climate change was introduced in Apia during the weekend.
The option offered was the use of electric vehicles to reduce gas emissions.
Klaus Thoma, from Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand, spoke about a research conducted into the benefits of electric vehicles during the Renewable Energy Forum, held before S.I.D.S.
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The meeting was told the electric vehicles could well be the future of transportation if all goes according to plan.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Sulumalo Amataga Penaia, said part of S.I.D.S is to identify and showcase policies, practices and experiences that could help increase the use of renewable energy among S.I.D.S.
He applauded Mr Thoma’s presentation about electric vehicles.
“Renewable energy contributes to the sustainable development of S.I.D.S.,” he said. “[And it is] specifically important for those who depend mainly on expensive fossil fuels for electricity and transportation.”
The continuing emission of harmful gases into the atmosphere has a huge impact on the environment. This is why he welcomed the idea of electric vehicles.
The idea, he said, reflects Samoa’s commitment to global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
“We need to be smart,” he said, and to invest in initiatives that will accelerate sustainable development.
He stressed the importance of S.I.D.S. working together because “no matter what we can do at the national level, we cannot do it alone”.
“We must join forces in a global effort to solve the problem of climate change.”
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