Iris,
Borris,
Syed Aaquib Hazari
The entire sustainability map of Texel can be identified from different perspectives. In this chapter everything will be with respect and from the perspective of the Food and More sub – system (SS). All of the points mentioned below are possible expectations and possibility of these to be successful outcomes completely depends on the feasibility of the concept.
6.1 Materials and Waste
Expectations
The Food and More SS will produce agricultural waste, mainly that which is bio – degradable. The waste can be used to either produce biomass or put in a compost pit to form manure. This manure can be reused as natural fertiliser for the soil in organic farming. The sheep droppings can also be used in biomass plants. There will also be some non – biodegradable wastes from fertilisers; chemicals. These can also be handled by disposing them safely or by reusing them elsewhere on the mainland.
Potential tensions
If waste is not disposed of properly the farmlands and grasslands may be damaged affecting the bird population. Waste treatment plants must be secluded and not near these locations. There may be excess waste produced considering that there are more sheep than humans in Texel and the Materials and Waste SS must dispose of this waste in a biomass plant or transfer it to the mainland.
6.2 Sustainable Mobility
Expectations
The vision of the Food and More SS is to reduce the carbon footprint generated from the transport of food from the mainland by employing unique strategies like ‘Food Swap’. The Sustainable Mobility SS can help by providing sustainable transport of products on and off the island, by means of bio – fuels.
Potential tensions
There are no potential tensions with this SS.
6.3Texel as a Host
Expectations
Texel is unique because of its local food and its culture and farmers are the perfect source of this knowledge. These points can make a selling point for the Texel as a Host SS to include in their brochures and activities. Possibly a visit to your local farm or a visit to the special saline agriculture farms. Even a visit to the nesting grounds of birds can be included. Highlighting in their brochures only specific restaurants who cook local food can be an added bonus.
At the end of every tourist’s trip the Texel as a Host SS can hand them with a feedback form where people can give their thoughts or criticisms about Texel’s local food or sanctuaries. This will benefit the municipality and the farmers by helping them improve upon those areas.
Potential tensions
There are no potential tensions with this SS.
6.4 Water Cycle
Expectations
The Food and More SS produces wastewater due to the fertilisers being used and the Water Cycle SS can treat this wastewater and send it back to the farms for reuse. In essence, closing the water loop, reducing chances of environmental hazards and reducing the load of transport of fresh water from the mainland.
Clams and mussels are Texel’s delicacies and overfishing will affect them. Providing data about the amount of fish present and the ideal time they need to multiply will help fishermen decide how much they can fish.
Potential tensions
The residual chemicals from the wastewater facilities must be disposed of safely by transporting to the mainland or by dumping in secluded areas. These residual chemicals must not be dumped into the ocean as it will destroy the habitat of the fish, clams and mussels.
6.5 Leisure and Knowledge
Expectations
There are very few areas in the world where saline agriculture is practised and everyone is looking to Texel for this research. New research centres can be put up by the Leisure and Knowledge SS typically for research of saline agriculture and benefits of cultivating halophyte crops. The results of this research can be used by the Texel farmers to improve the production.
The knowledge of where maximum output of different crops will be known by the Leisure and Knowledge SS, and they can help the farmers identify these locations and give them tips on how to grow these crops.
Potential tensions
There are no potential tensions with this SS.
6.6 Health and Happiness
Expectations
The Health and Happiness SS will also keep track of the quality of the food coming into the island from the mainland and going out of the island. This will ensure that only good quality products are being transferred.
This SS must ensure that happiness is high by providing feedback forms to the farmers and the locals and question them about the quality of the food being produced and the food being consumed.
Potential tensions
There are none.
6.7 Public Space
Expectations
The Public Space SS must allocate area for farmland (saline agriculture and non – saline agriculture) and area for sanctuaries and it must clearly demarcate all of this. After this approval the farmers can start cultivating crops. It must also help in beautifying regular farmlands and places nearby.
Potential tensions
There are none.