RINIDAD AND TOBAGO: The Future Looks Bleak Say Environmentalists

By IPS Correspondents Reprint | | Print |

Wesley Gibbings

PORT OF SPAIN, Jun 4 1997 (IPS) - Environmentalists preparing to observe World Environment Day here Thursday are not counting many points in favour of their cause but, are in fact, seeing many areas of growing, serious concern.

A report prepared by the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), for example, has recorded dangerous levels of toxic emissions in the atmosphere and a Cabinet-appointed committee begins work soon on making a closer inspection of the problem.

About three quarters of nitrogen oxide, considered to be a potent health risk, in the Trinidad and Tobago atmosphere comes from motor vehicles — most of which do not use unleaded gasolene.

Reports of asthma and bronchitis among children in some particularly hard hit areas of the country have been directly attributed to unacceptably high levels of nitrogen oxide emissions from motor vehicles.

With a population of 1.3 million, there are more than 200,000 registered vehicles here. Only a minute proportion uses either natural gas or unleaded gasoline. Diesel operated vehicles are also estimated to emit about a quarter of the atmosphere’s sulphur dioxide and sulphur monoxide.

The EMA also says airborne particles including “suspended particles” emitted by diesel engines are posing a serious threat to the nation’s health.

“Scientists are now discovering deadly linkages in atmospheric effects,” says environmentalist Molly Gaskin. “Whether it is atmospheric deposition in terms of ozone, acid rain or global climate change, they are looking at a giant that is ffecting many natural eco-systems.”

Former school principal and prolific newspaper correspondent, Van Stewart says a failure to deal with the problem of air pollution, especially the release of lead in the environment is the best guarantee that the country will continue to breed “dunces.”

The EMA agrees with him. “Lead is a toxic metal that affects the blood and nervous systems,” one statement from the Authority says. “Children are especially sensitive and can suffer behavioural problems and decreased IQ levlls.”

But there are also concerns about the marine environment. Dwynette Eversley, chairman of a government committee considering a “marine pollution prevention and compensation regime” says pollution from maritime and land-based sources “has in certain areas seriously degraded the coastal and marine environment.”

“Even though pollution from ships accounts for about 10 percent of the total pollution entering the marine environment, the implications in certain areas can be considerable, especially in the case of a major oil pollution incident,” Eversley says.

“Accidental oil pollution tends to generate a lot of publicity,” she says. “But most of the ship-generated pollution of the marine environment is operational … these are deliberate discharges into the sea.”

“Over the centuries, this has been the standard means of getting rid of waste at sea,” Eversley says. “However, as it is now known, the sea has no infinite capacity to absorb all pollutants.”

“Through education and experience we are now beginning to realise the dangers our country is facing due to environmental damage,” argues Ian Cross, president of Watchdogs for the Environment (WE).

He says the future of the country appears “bleak” and will continue to be so “if the powers that be fail to address this decline in both the terrestrial and marine environments.”

Cross’ group has been paying particular attention to the rising incidence of illegal logging in Trinidad’s tropical rainforests. “Logging,” he says, “has encompassed all the Northern Range (of Trinidad).”

There is evidence that saw-millers are reaping a lucrative harvest of illegally harvested logs along the country’s northern mountain range which extends along the entire north coast of Trinidad.

“A lawlessness exists that is hard to define,” Cross complains while referring to the fact that logging permits have not been issued for years in the most hard hit areas under recent observation.

“What manner of people could desecrate something so sacrosanct?” he asks. “It is akin to slapping the face of God.”

Gaskin, a recipient of the United Nations Global 500 Roll of Honour for her work in environmental activism, says there needs to be greater togetherness on environmental issues.

“It is time for us to realise that in order to bring about any kind of positive change, we have to unite, first of all, and we must protect the environment in which we live and stop the contamination of our life support system.”

“Action must be taken and include government, trade unions, NGOs, the business sector, academic communities, the man in the street, spiritual leaders and, above all, by the women,” Gaskin says.

Sylvia Kacal of the Caribbean Forest Conservation Association (CFCA) says society has to stop what it is doing for the moment and give some thought to its future. “For those who have the capacity to stop running their private rat race long enough to notice that the natural world is more than just a backdrop or film-set, it is clear that protection and conservation are important,” she says.

“From taking basic notice of the natural world, it is only a small step to becoming aware of the intricacy of its processes, its functions and its intricately interdependent ecosystems,” she adds.

“Even if we spend a short while to think of the natural environment or what is depleting it, our consciousness will be recharged,” Kacal says. “Even if we only sit for a while and look at the hills, or a tree or two.”