WITH the advent of ‘World Environment Day’,  I salute all those persons, groups, companies, organisations, et cetera, who are making an effort to safeguard our environment.

I am of the view that we, as a nation, have that obligation to keep our environment clean and safe. There are many big companies and industries that are guilty of environmental degradation. I am on record as writing about the dying of the mighty Pomeroon River. Nothing is being done about this problem. The dumping of  coconut husks and chemicals along with lubricant containers continue to be a daily activity. It is very shameful for someone from the diplomatic community to come and tell us about our too much talking and less doing about our environment.
Of course, our Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment is trying his utmost with his ministry’s limited resources to enlighten and propagate environmental consciousness.
I myself have witnessed Minister Robert Persaud cleaning some parts of the city of Georgetown sometime ago.
The laws that govern the environment must be maintained and kept enforced. Also, there is need for the Ministry of Education to start some level of environmental teaching in the classrooms. Most of the teaching about hygiene and cleanliness comes from the home while the bigger picture will be encouraged by other agencies via the media and other educational institutions. It is time to make a change now. I call on all those persons reading this letter for us to make a start now and make a change in our lives if anyone of us is guilty of any form of environmental malpractice.
Why when we go to North America we look for garbage bins and put our candy wrappings into our pockets? The laws are enforced there, why not here? Law enforcement agencies along with the environmental agencies must start now and put the culprits before the courts and let the press expose them also. Only then will changes materialise rapidly.
All for a better environment!