FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS

Jan 27, 2017 Features / Columnists

Despite all the criticisms that have been heaped on Guyana, most citizens would agree that it is still one of the most pristine countries on earth to live. Pollution levels are generally low, the environment is close to being perfect, and the people are for the most part friendly and fun-loving.
This is why thousands of Guyanese who have spent a major part of their life in crowded, polluted cities in North America Asia and Europe, to name a few, are frequently returning to enjoy and savour the fresh and pure air blowing in from the Atlantic.
The saying that there is no place like home is being resonated more and more with Guyanese in the Diaspora than ever before.
Guyana’s picturesque scenery, its fresh fruits and vegetables and energetic night life are simple but invaluable assets that many are enjoying. Everyone should strive to protect these assets. However, there are a few harmful practices that emerged recently that could seriously pollute and damage our clean environment and thus threaten the serene life in the country, if left unchecked.
Emissions from poorly maintained vehicles and factories which belch-out volumes of thick smoke into the atmosphere have had adverse effects on the environment. And the burning of garbage or the spraying of toxic herbicides and other chemicals in populated neighbourhoods can over time also affect the surroundings. The authorities would need to act to prevent these types of impurities from causing further discomfort.
Interestingly, data from the World Health Organization (WHO) have shown that about 85 percent of the world’s population lives in polluted countries which contributes to the premature deaths of 3 million people annually. And 90 percent of these deaths are from non-communicable illnesses such as cardiovascular diseases which are caused by pollution.
The WHO also states that pollution increases the risks for cancer, acute respiratory infections and other types of pulmonary diseases. These effects from pollution should serve as a wake-up call to all Guyanese and should cause them to appreciate and preserve their environment even more.
According to the WHO, most of these deaths are occurring in low and middle income countries in South East Asia, parts of Africa, China and India. China and India are among the top polluting countries in the world.
Guyana has been listed as one of the least polluted nations among the 184 countries, and there have been no known recorded deaths in Guyana due to pollution. The WHO contends that both indoor and outdoor pollution have resulted in environmental health crises in several countries.
Indoor pollution has been blamed for 4.5 million deaths annually due to the use of dirty stoves, kerosene and diesel fuels. Outdoor pollution is largely a man-made problem and therefore requires man-made solutions. The authorities must take the lead and develop effective laws to reduce air pollution.
It is very important for everyone to contribute to the reduction of pollution.
Given the serious threat which it can pose to the nation and to the health of its citizens, the authorities must impose severe penalties against drivers or owners of those vehicles which pollute the atmosphere, including efforts to impound them.
Similar action should be taken against the owners of factories using outdated equipment and those who indiscriminately burn garbage and spray herbicides in populated neighbourhoods.
Thirty-five years ago, few Guyanese, especially children, were known to have asthma. That statistic should not be allowed to change. According to medical experts, asthma attacks are triggered by irritants such as smoke, air pollution and chemicals. Everyone must make sure that the air the nation breathes is pure and all must contribute to clean air in order to keep Guyana as pollution-free as possible for future generations.

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