–environmentalists urge in universal message to mark World Environment Day
THROWING away items like plastic bags could be detrimental to the environment as has been proven by environmentalists time and again, so persons are being urged to desist from utilising items that cannot be reused.
“If you cannot reuse it, refuse it,” was the message that was touted at a World Environment Day conference organised by the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown on Tuesday.
Guyana joined the rest of the world to celebrate World Environment Day 2018, but although it was a celebration, the messages clearly highlighted the danger that the environment is in because of pollution caused by humans.
The melodious songs, precise poems and dramatic skits performed by students of various schools were tiny messages of a large problem that continues to plague the environment. That problem was made known in the theme for World Environment Day, “Beating plastic pollution”.
PLASTIC POLLUTION
Plastic pollution is defined as the accumulation of plastic products in the environment that adversely affects wildlife, wildlife habitat, or humans.
According to General Medical Officer (GMO), Dr. Suzette Reynolds, 13 million tonnes of plastic finds its way into the ocean each year.
“The plastic endangers our aquatic life, so this year’s theme is a call to immediately phase out the use of plastic and find sustainable alternatives,” she said.
The government recently announced that single-use plastic bags will soon be banned.
The environment needs to be saved, Dr. Reynolds said, imploring persons to clean their environment and do the best they can to promote a healthy, clean and green Guyana.
A representative of the Ministry of Education echoed much the same sentiments as Dr Reynolds in that persons need to do their bit individually instead of waiting for the government to keep the environment safe, protected and clean.
The representative believes that the onus is on the citizens to get on board and clean the environment.
“Undoubtedly, there are some things that the government can do to ensure the protection like running awareness campaigns in schools and creating programmes that are geared at empowering individuals to make smart choices and save the environment,” she said.
The ministry has so far encouraged the formation of environmental clubs and is in the process of drafting a “Safe School Policy” that would train students to respect their environment.
