I wrote a recent letter to the media expressing grave disquiet regarding the wanton destruction of our environment, particularly as it relates to our waterways in Guyana. In it I appealed to every patriot, from our Head of State, to the Leader of the Opposition and Parliament and the religious community, civil society and the smallest of citizens, to take the question of the environment as a very serious matter.
Recently I met with a group of graduates in the spacious Georgia Dome and had the opportunity to interface with these eager and concerned young people from institutions of higher learning in the United States. Our discussions covered a wide range of subjects dealing with war, politics and the opportunities available to young Americans and second generation Caribbean nationals. But to my surprise, the matter that is of common concern was in a general sense the physical environment.
But then after reading Newsweek of May 21, 2012, I thought that as someone concerned about the kind of world our children and our children’s children would inherit, that I should make a plea again to all of our leaders, all of our people and in particular, our media, to see this issue of the environment as one in which we can all find a common cause.
Perhaps we can begin by organizing tours for our youngsters including university students to see for themselves the wanton destruction of nature taking place right before our eyes at this time. Tragically, there is not an enough awareness of this daily dangerous desecration of this dear land of Guyana, including the flora and fauna.
I ought not to have been surprised after reading the front cover of this magazine. The front cover referred to the death of our oceans, and that the price that must be paid for today’s rapaciousness would be to be without fish. We have similar experiences in parts of Guyana.
They show graphically, for example, two species, the grouper and the shark, which dominated catches in Key West for years. (We share the same ocean with Key West.) In the 1950s the average weight of the catch was 40lbs, in the 1980s it had dropped to 20 lbs, and in the first part of the 21st century, the overall average catch is now down to 5lbs. In our own way, this decimation and assault on nature is taking place in and about Guyana.
Those of us of the older generation would have noticed certain changes which we should share with our children and our children’s children. For example, look at hassar; its size and quantity have reduced and so have that of many other species.
People in the hinterland areas where mining is taking place are now forced to import nearly all of their foods, and the political directorates, government and opposition, must without delay put a stop to all mining and other activities which are damaging our rivers, creeks, forest and land.
I know that such a move can earn the disapproval of those who are making millions, those who are greedy and selfish. But I believe if we learn history we should consider it a bounden duty to act before it is too late. History is full of examples where people ignore tomorrow to satisfy their urges and perceived needs of today, which has led to disaster.
I repeat, we should put an immediate end to all destructive mining practices whether they be small, medium or large operations. This should be non negotiable.
Yours faithfully,
Hamilton Green, JP
