<B>Jérémie Hernandez, Engineer, Savannah Power Plant</B>

As a technical engineer in the field of power production, my main concern is about all the issues related to carbon dioxide reduction and maintain an interest in renewable resources. While I believe that they should be encouraged, I realise that these resources, for instance, Aeolian energy, demand considerable means. They can be very costly, when putting together the investment needed and the endproduct as well as the space they consume.

But this should not discourage Mauritius from taking small, but significant, steps towards reducing greenhouse effect and global warming. One of the striking facts I immediately noticed when I came in this otherwise beautiful country was the high level of exhaust gas, especially in Port-Louis. All over the island, there are quite old vehicles still running, that produce a thick smoky gas, mainly from diesel. If you are driving just after one of those vehicles, you may suffocate.

And the wind blesses most of the country by sweeping all that exhaust everyday to the sea. But, in the context of a town like Port-Louis, with little green and a big concentration of vehicles amidst concrete buildings, you can feel the skin burning effect of gas. It is also surprising to see on the road buses that look 15 years old or more. In France, such vehicles are prohibited. Without getting that far, it is possible to prevent or limit that toxic pollution, which certainly can lead to health hazards like asthma by asking for the universal use of catalytic converters.

I understand that, in Mauritius, imported diesel and petroleum could be less refined than in some European countries, so the use of converters may also imply more regular servicing. But we should not overlook that, not only it is smarter, but it is also of public interest. In my opinion that would make public transport more popular. Similarly, with a little more rigorous servicing, we can enable a better, less polluted air in towns.