GREEN MEANS GROW

Guests will often hear me suggest that Newfoundland is perhaps, the cleanest and greenest place on the entire planet. Keeping in mind that this claim is made in typical Newfoundland fashion, relying mostly on broad sweeping generalizations which are not necessarily supported by any real scientific data, and is instead based on our keen observational prowess and some good common sense.

 

“… Newfoundland is the cleanest and greenest…”

 

First and foremost, there’s not enough people in the province to create any real pollution. We have a population of half a million people who share approximately 500,000km2 of space. That’s only one person per square kilometer, an especially easy math computation that lends obvious credence to our claim. How much waste could we possibly produce?

 

“… not enough people to create pollution.”

 

Furthermore, there is no agriculture in Newfoundland; aside from the organic market gardens found in people’s back yards, some WOOFER programs, and a handful of commercial operations whose existence depends on national marketing boards and import protections. Regardless, even these rely solely on imported feeds and therefore eliminate the necessity for any chemical sprays. We use no herbicides, pesticides or insecticides, nor do we spread any fertilizers or create any toxins.

 

“… there’s no agriculture in Newfoundland,”

 

We have no manufacturing or industry in Newfoundland. Yes, there’s oil production, but its an offshore project that’s located 180 miles away from the island. And there’s no doubt that we still have a paper mill on the west coast of the island, and an oil refinery remains operational in ‘Come by Chance’ – but statistically speaking, industry doesn’t exist in Newfoundland. For the entire 12 days our guests spend in the province, they won’t see any factories and there’s no smoke stacks anywhere. Thus, there are no CO emissions, there’s no effluents, and we utilize none of our abundant water resources for anything other than power generation at a multitude of hydro electric stations situated all throughout the province.

 

“… no manufacturing or industry in Newfoundland”

 

Additionally, we’re an island located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, basking in a plenitude of cleansing water and winds that carry any pollutants eastward with the prevailing currents. About half of the island is covered in fresh water that is replenished with an abundance of precipitation that basically subjects the province to a “wash and dry” cycle at least two to three nights a week. Just look at the forests, the leaves and the grasses, the beautiful flowers, the many song birds, whales, aquatic life, and healthy wildlife populations. Everything shines in Newfoundland, for none of the pollens, dust and residues can accumulate and dull the natural hues.

Finally, two of the world’s most extreme and completely polarized ocean currents converge on our eastern coastline. Here is where the frigid waters of the ‘Labrador Current’ meet the tepid flows of the ‘Gulf Stream’, delivering an abundance of rich nutrients that support one of the world’s largest and most truly sustainable fishing ecosystems, while it effectively dilutes, and carries away whatever waste we might possibly produce.

 

“… frigid waters of the Labrador Current…”

 

As vehicles continue to improve their operational efficiencies (trending ultimately towards electrical and hybrid technologies), modern home and office construction reduce heating and building costs, and waste management programs strive forward – things can only get better in Newfoundland, and this could become a future haven for those who finally recognize that wealth is best measured by a quality of life.

Time to draw a deep breath and take a good look around. The evidence is everywhere; from the beautiful perfumes of our wild flowers to the crystal-clear waters that surround us, this land is green for you and me!

Thanks for reading