Climate Change demands that we change too

It should be obvious, though it’s not, that with the recognition of the deepening threat of climate change to human existence, there is need for greater commitment to environmental action on the part of all of us.

Unfortunately, that is not the case at all. At the global level there is, understandably, an emphasis by small developing states on accessing funding for critically needed programmes to address the challenge. This involves striving to change the global financial architecture which is far from favourable to such countries.

At the local level however, there is still not sufficient evidence of such awareness on the part of the bulk of the population in our country for sure, leading to a lackadaisical approach to such critical areas like environmental protection. Besides official state and semi-state operations, environmental programmes are largely carried out by non-governmental organisations and private sector entities, with clean-up programmes on beaches and vulnerable areas being the main areas focus.

This lax attitude to environmental preservation is creating massive problems for us especially in waste disposal. Some years ago, when the environmental knock came on the doors of the state institutions, the government took some action particularly in the regulation of plastics.The lack of environmental consciousness was manifested by expressions that many consumers were unwilling to make simple adjustments to their lifestyles and the use and disposal of hazardous materials. The continued degradation of our rivers, streams, and sea in particular continued apace, making this action out to be merely ‘a flash in the pan’.

The actions of many of us was an indication that these initial steps were being disregarded.

Clearly, the time has come for more rigorous enforcement, including the application of penalties.

This is not just a physical problem. We face environmental threats in a number of other ways as well.

Take the issue of Noise Pollution for instance. St Vincent and the Grenadines used to be a peaceful and quiet country but latterly, not only has our peace been shattered (the murderous gunshots), but our quiet has also been rudely disturbed and continues to get worse. The motorised traffic, from cars toting massive boom-boxes, to aggressive and uncaring mini-bus drivers operating like travelling discotheques, added to the heavy trucks and trailers operating day and night as if unregulated, all add to our collective misery.

Compounding this is the filthy language spewed out by young and old alike with no respect for either God or mankind, church or funeral, the children following their elders, and women exercising their “right” to be as foul and abusive as the male offenders. Not to take firm action now is certainly to facilitate this already alarming deterioration.

Yet there are laws on our books, maybe not always strong enough, but legislation exists which can and should be enforced.

So why do we content ourselves with “warnings” as on police and government radio programmes? Hasn’t the time come for firm action, ranging from fines for environmental pollution, to implementing the Noise Act?

We all must play our part in fighting environmental pollution and degradation at all levels.