Dear Editor,
Instead of all the Walks and Talks, the Government of Guyana should mark World Environment Day by enforcing an immediate ban on all Styrofoam food boxes and cups. What better way to really make a difference to the garbage capital of Guyana. Did the President and all the very well-meaning persons need to engage in a short walk to witness or bring attention to the environmental degradation in which thousands of Guyanese live in Georgetown. It seems that not even the disbelief and alarm of our fellow Caribbean representatives attending the recently held Conference on Tourism over the state of Georgetown registered with our policymakers.
The dangers of Styrofoam to the environment are well-known throughout the World and in Guyana. Styrofoam boxes and cups are carcinogenic, do not degrade and are a major contributor to our clogged drainage canals. They also have a direct impact on flooding leading to disease and increases in rodents and cockroaches. We the citizens need to know who are the importers of Styrofoam and why no action has been taken to stop this product which has been wreaking havoc on our environment for years. The disposal of plastic bottles also needs to be addressed similarly.
As a citizen of Guyana I have never been able to reconcile Guyana’s image as a so called champion of the LCDS and the utter degradation of the capital city. We can’t be polluters of our environment and at the same time champions of the earth. I am calling on the Government, the National Assembly, Georgetown Chamber of Commerce, The Private Sector Commission, The Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association and the Environmental NGOs to stop this environmental degradation of our country. Stop the Empty Talk, Stop the Excuses, Take Action Now.
Yours faithfully,
Danuta Radzik
