ASSEMBLY OF CARIBBEAN PEOPLE

 

THE ENVIRONMENT

 

AUGUST 7TH, 2010

There were 11 participants representing 3 countries.

 

Report of the Workshop on Topic Number 7 ‘the Environment’ chaired by Jean Pierre Etile of Martinique and presented by Carol Noel of Trinidad. 

 

The discussions were geared towards identifying a model to discuss what is common to all of us in the Region.  The Environment has two (2) aspects to it:  human and ecological.  We are all subject to the same natural disasters in the Caribbean,  be they hurricanes,  earthquakes,  forest fires,  air/water and land pollution.  Efforts are to be made with respect to the treatment of man-made waste as it pertains to the environment.

As man is a part of the environment, he must intervene.

 

 

The following were issues identified under the theme:

·              Marine and water pollution by the increase in tourism.  There must be a balance.  if it is lost, there are negative effects such as droughts. 

·              The consequences of mans’ action by the use of pesticides and harmful chemicals used in agriculture.  This can be addressed by a re-introduction of the use of organic agriculture

·              Forest fires and over-logging of trees contribute to flooding, erosion and the destruction of natural water ways such as mangroves and swamps. 

·              Transportation of hazardous materials through the Caribbean was another issue.

·              Emissions from industrial production which contribute to the destruction of the environment

·              With respect to mangroves, this natural resource is seen as a vital role in the cycle of land and marine life. 

·              The increase in the use of fossil fuel contributes to environmental degradation

·              The loss of endemic and indigenous species of flora and fauna

 

 

Solutions recommended

To call on all members of the Region to develop and implement policies and programmes within the different countries to deal with problems that affect the environment by means of:

1.      prevention

2.      public awareness

3.      provision of resources

4.      repairing the damage done

 

To ask all Governments to develop appropriate policies or pass Legislation to address the issue of all forms of pollution

 

To develop policies and programmes to protect fresh water, salt water, and mangrove natural resources which should be managed through a Regional Body

 

That a massive regional campaign be established to inform and educate with respect to the destruction of the mangrove and to replant mangrove areas

 

To lobby (Caribbean Disaster Emergency Agency (CDEMA) to actively expand its membership to the non-Caricom countries of the Caribbean.

 

To build awareness, adaptation, vulnerability and preparedness to deal with the issue of climate change.

 

 

To demand that all Governments take the environment as a primary consideration in the formulation of their industrial development policies.

 

To define mechanisms for the declaration of indigenous species as endangered and to then take measures to protect them.

 

To enact legislation with respect to the dumping of hazardous waste materials within the Caribbean.

 

Pan-Caribbean Team Members

 

Christian Retory : Martinique

John Howell: Barbados

Akilah Jaramogi: Trinidad and Tobago