IN today’s world, environmental awareness is fast becoming a major issue because of global changes, increasing industrial activities and changing lifestyles.
These have led to challenges of increasing complexity, including the proper disposal of an increasing amount of garbage. Many of the difficulties and challenges associated with waste management stem from the indifferent attitude of humans towards disposal and the need to keep the environment unpolluted.
Garbage disposal has become a huge problem in Guyana and the authorities are struggling to grapple with it. The increased use of synthetic materials is certainly adding to this burdensome problem.
What clearly is needed is a greater public awareness of the problems this attitude causes and a good place to start is in homes and schools. If children could be instilled with the proper knowledge and attitude towards maintaining a healthy environment, the country could well be on the road to licking this serious problem.
Singapore was one country which had similar problems and this approach was tried and proved successful.
In the early days of post-independent Singapore, the government took the lead in encouraging environmental awareness. National campaigns became a mainstay, gaining momentum in the 1970s and 1980s. These made Singaporeans conscious of the need to change bad habits and drove home the message that the environment was every citizen’s responsibility.
As Singaporeans have become more educated and cosmopolitan, nongovernmental organisations, grassroots organisations and the mass media have enthusiastically begun to promote public awareness of environmental issues. Schools have also come on board, forming their own environmental clubs to highlight the green message.
It is a fact that the values and attitudes instilled in children at an early age are left with them throughout their lives and once they are taught the proper ones, they will grow into adulthood with those very attitudes and skills.
Against this background, the Mayor and City Council and the Ministry of Education must be commended for hosting the recent competition for the school with the most improved environment.
Such initiatives will definitely help children become more environmentally aware and help mould the right attitude towards the environment.
At the presentation ceremony of the competition, Principal Education Officer at the Ministry of Education, Mr. Marcel Hudson, made a most pertinent point, stating that the ministry has always been happy to collaborate in any effort geared towards improving the school environment.
“We need to be proactive and not reactive and to take measures to ensure that the rising garbage situation does not get out of hand”, he said.
Being proactive is the way to go and this approach should be widely advocated with Neighbourhood Democratic Councils and their respective Education departments playing a leading role.