BASSETERRE. St. Kitts – DESPITE not having any formal event to recognise Earth Day this year, local Earth Week Committee member Ambassador Jonel Powell believes more must be done to protect the environment in St. Kitts and Nevis.
Powell suggested that it would be good to see more awareness being placed on what could be done to protect the environment, “in terms of the little things that we can do”.
Over 192 countries around the world celebrated Earth Day on Saturday (Apr. 22) under the theme “Environmental & Climate Literacy”.
In an interview with SKNVibes, Powell pointed to the use of renewable bags and appliances in the homes as some of the smaller things that could be done to protect the environment.
“From using renewable shopping bags, for example, when you are going to the grocery store. That is something that is still happening in St. Kitts and is a direct result of the efforts that we put in last year. Things like using less plastic bags when you are going to the grocery stores and taking renewable containers when you are going to buy food, these are all initiatives that we can use to protect the environment.”
He noted that when more people begin to implement such initiatives amongst themselves, it would drive home the changes that are necessary. “Greater effects would be seen and felt by all.”
The Ambassador, who is a green initiative advocate, stated that the authorities have been trying tremendously when it comes to dealing with the problem of littering and waste around the Federation.
He however noted that the onus is now on individuals to be more conscious of dumping garbage.
“It comes down to the average Joe taking that seriously, rather than seeing it easy to put the garbage on the first street corner you pass. You can take it to the dump site. You can take a horse to the well, but you can’t make it drink. But if you can get people to that level of consciousness, I think it would help.”
In the area of policy, Ambassador Powell indicated that more could be done by the Government, noting that when persons look around the region, initiatives have been implemented.
Powell pointed to the banning of plastic bags and Styrofoam containers in neighbouring Antigua as a start in that country’s policy to deal with environmental issues.
According to the World Earth Day Committee, “Environmental and climate literacy is the engine not only for creating green voters and advancing environmental and climate laws and policies, but also for accelerating green technologies and jobs.”
