The E Utopia Project by Kudakwashe Muzira Read Free Book Online

the IGM, told the Polynesian
delegation. Cruz was a billionaire who had inherited his wealth from his
father. He was currently ranked as the world’s seventh richest man. Unlike his
father, Jim Cruz, an out-and-out capitalist whose sole goal in life was to make
money, Sam was passionate about the environment. When he inherited his father’s
estate, he was the world’s richest man, but he fell down the rich list when he opted
out of businesses which he thought were against his conservationist principles.
    Sam Cruz told Sopoaga and his
fellow Pacific Islanders that the IGM no longer believed it could save the
world by political means. It had come up with a new strategy that required the
most dedicated conservationists. “Saving the Pacific Islands means saving the
world. If people reduce greenhouse emissions, they do not only save the Pacific
Islands, but they also save the world.” Cruz’s eyes scanned the Polynesian
delegation, which comprised one Tuvaluan, four Fijians, two Kiribatians and two
Marshallese. “But the bottom line is that the people of the world do not give a
damn about reducing pollution or about using natural resources more sustainably.
They’re only interested in making profits and finding employment. I tell you,
if Tuvalu or Kiribati was to be swallowed by the ocean today, it will be
business as usual throughout the world.
    “Yes, some governments might
send helicopters to rescue your people. Do you know why the Aussies and other
do-gooders send those rescue choppers and relief aid to your islands when you are
hit by cyclones? They do it to look good in the eyes of the world. They don’t
give a damn about your islands. If they did, they would implement measures to
reduce global warming.” Cruz was delighted to see anger registered in the faces
of the islanders. “They won’t stop what they’re doing no matter how much we
campaign against unnecessary pollution and unsustainable use of natural
resources. Politics won’t change the status quo. We have to act to save the
world. The people of the world will never vote green parties into power because
they believe that our policies will reduce industrial development and
employment. The ordinary man in the street only cares about getting a job. He
doesn’t give a damn about conserving the environment. The people of the world
will always vote for political parties that promise to create jobs and improve
the economy at the expense of the environment. We will never achieve our goals
through political means.
    “We, the International Green
Movement, have come up with a new strategy, the only strategy that can save the
world and its living species from man’s greed. This strategy requires total
commitment to the cause. There will be no time for sentimentalism. We called you
here because we believe you’re all totally committed to the cause... if we are
wrong about your commitment now is the time for you to say so. If you think
your commitment to the cause will be clouded by sentimentalism or religion,
this is the time for you to leave.”
    None of the Polynesians left.
    “I believe your silence means
you’re with us in our new approach. With this approach, we’re going to take
two, three, four or even five steps backwards in order to take a hundred steps
forwards. Think of our new strategy as an environmental homeopathy. Right now
we’re in the process of losing our world to negligence and greed but I promise
you that when we finish implementing our plan, we shall have two worlds which
we shall rule by strict environmental law.”
    The nine Polynesians were
sworn to secrecy. Before the Executive Council told them how the new strategy
worked, Sam Cruz took them on a trip into space just above the Karman Line. He
owned a Space Exploration and Tourism company with a growing fleet of spaceships.
    Up in space, the men were
awed by the beauty of the Earth. The home planet looked like a jewel with its
green forests, oceans, seas, lakes, rivers and