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PRESERVING THE ENVIRONMENT

Jul 01, 2015 Editorial

Guyana does not have a Minister of the Environment, but if there is any country on planet earth that needs one, it is surely Guyana. Everyone should respect nature and the environment but in Guyana there has been very little concern shown by the majority.
This lack of respect has resulted in clogged drains and waterways which has led to massive flooding with grave consequences such as damage to property, crops and livestock, not to mention deadly diseases – leptospirosis being primary among them.
Indeed, the respect for and understanding of the environment must become a priority of every citizen. The severe flooding in Georgetown, its suburbs and other low-lying areas of the country during the last several weeks will almost certainly not be an isolated occurrence. We probably can anticipate more heartache before this period of inclement weather ends.
The government should view as urgent the need to address this issue in light of global climate change and its impact on the physical, economic, social, psychological and spiritual well-being of the people. The consequences of the citizens’ actions on every aspect of the natural environment should be highlighted.
Recently, there have been several calls by renowned environmentalists for immediate action to halt the destructive practices that have impacted the environment. Even Pope Francis has drawn attention to the man-made destruction of the environment, which has been abused and in some instances destroyed by carelessness or ignorance.
As the world powers work towards a solution to the crisis, we as Guyanese must, as individuals and as a nation examine our own practices as they relate to our disposal of waste and the maintenance of our waterways, particularly in Georgetown and its suburbs.
The flooding in the city has once again revealed the senseless disposal of Styrofoam, plastic and other types of garbage in the drains and trenches. Perennially we lament the economic burden occasioned by the indiscriminate dumping of discarded fridges and other large appliances, stoves, car batteries, tyres, mattresses and non-biodegradable items.
The disgusting tendencies of discarding bags of rotting meat, transferring old building materials from the site of new or renovated homes to isolated fields or roadside dumps in someone else’s community, to refusing to clean clogged drains in our own street because it is not our responsibility, speaks of an uncaring society who can expect nothing else than that which would befall them. The government must act to end such reckless practices.
In schools, this attitude is imitated by students who throw their garbage anywhere because they know that cleaners are available. Electric lights and fans are left on in empty classrooms because energy wastage and expenditure are inconsequential to many of the children and to some callous teachers.
The implications of such careless behaviour over the long term are frightening. Taking care of the environment and the proper way of how to dispose garbage should be taught to children at home and in the schools. Cutting down our trees and shrubs, along with excessive logging in the interior and unlawful mining practices, bear witness to the continued insatiable greed and disrespect for the environment – something which we apparently have no genuine interest in preserving.
Lest we not heed the warnings that grow louder every day to preserve the environment, and if we do not teach our children to respect and preserve the surroundings that have been entrusted to us, we may very soon face far more serious consequences than floods.
It may now be too late for us to expect less rainfall or for the winds and seas to not wreak havoc, but it is still imperative that we do what is right. Every little action counts. That is the simple and inescapable truth.

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