By Clarence E Pilgrim
I salute the many men and women whose steadfast ability to state the obvious about many environmental concerns, have led then to transform verbal critique into solid action.
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| Clarence E Pilgrim |
Environmental hazards (either man-made or natural) affect all, but in particular the poor among us are most vulnerable. These hazards destroy homes and livelihoods, and may even extinguish life. They can lead to shortages in food and water, public health crisis, population upheavals and an undermining of a nations' development process.
It is the direct intervention at the community level, which will add to the wealth of resources necessary to combat the smoking gun of climate change and the inadequate defenses against the threats to our green spaces.
From the rise of humanity out of the garden of Eden, generation upon generation have advanced our technology to the point of personal comfort for most of our needs (Of course, this is dependant on the side of the economic pendulum which you happen to stand), to the discomfort of our mother earth - and her needs. Quite clearly there is the need for a "Law of the Atmosphere," just as there is a "Law of the Sea" - with realistic agreements and a sturdy enforcement mechanism.
Notwithstanding the ominous by-products of the machinery of business, there still is a wanton disbelief in some sectors about the seriousness of climate change, peppered with the continued duplicity and complicity of those whose priorities are dictated by the profit margin of an accountant's pen.
It is not good business to write a blank check without having the resources on ones account! Similarly, voluntary reduction of pollution by businesses is by far the fastest way to curb environmental pollution, while making good business sense.
Most governments seem to invest their time with continued and seemingly unending debates and counter debates exploring the economic challenges and risks of tougher curbs on greenhouse gas emissions and environmental protection, with some even questioning the very existence of global warming! In such a scenario, there is an unlikely yet obvious hero who can come to Mother Nature's aid. I am referring to YOU! Get involved with a suitable group or organization and make a difference!
Government regulations can always be made, visibly placed on the books, and become a source of reference for when it's needed. With good and responsible governance enforcement may result. But direct intervention by empowered citizens is a much better and effective mode of showing discomfort with a polluting company's waste production and poor environmental record.
The fact is that from elite multilateral businesspersons with banking accounts in overdrive, to the street corner "one dollar' store, all have a constant denominator which is undisputed.
The denominator is quite clearly the potential of the action of "one individual's" power to make a business succeed or fail! If Caribbean citizens were to take a collective stand and become an economic force for change by boycotting those businesses, both large and small, that pollute, the impact created will obviously take the shine off many a cent that would go into their profit margin! This would hit an assured bulls eye, in the effort for greater public awareness and demonstrate the degree of seriousness which we view the problem.
We must make businesspersons understand the true cost of environmental factors to their bottom line. If they are given this full realization then they are more likely to do something about it on their own. They must be shown that their returns are also measured in their reputation gains and the ability to continue effective operations into the future. In other words they must be held accountable for their actions.
I wish to encourage everyone with the words accredited to Albert Schweitzer who said, "No ray of sunshine is ever lost, but the green which it awakens into existence needs time to sprout, and it is not always granted for the sower to see the harvest. All work that is worth anything is done in faith."
Let us all become environmental heroes, and boycott those businesses or change those governments who clearly demonstrate a blatant disrespect for the protection of our environment and the consequences of economic pollution.
Clarence E Pilgrim is an enviromentalist, advocate for human rights, educator, a senior officer in the Antigua & Barbuda Civil service and volunteer for various non-profit organisations. His pen and speeches are consistent platforms for Caribbean Integration, social policy issues, enviornmental protection, development of alternative energy and the careful management of our natural resources. |
