Destruction or Development?

Esther quickly entered the open front door to her mother's home and discarded of her shoes as she made a beeline for the huge lasko  fan that stood in the centre of the living room....She Stripped  away her work blouse, reclining herself on the nearest couch. Steups, what's wrong with you girl, her mother asked as she  looked up from her open newspaper, Good Evening, did you eat your manners?

No maaa, Good evening,  she replied in her thick island accent, oh lord it hottttt, I can't take this heat, mom, I feeling like I'm burning up!This may be a fictious scenario, to some but it's a reality on the Islands.Yes we are known for Sun, Sea  and Sand, the rest of the world comes here  primarily to soak up, that natural goodness, but of late  its a different kind off heat.  

Deforestation  in the name of progress, clearing land for housing and commercial developments, slash and burn for unplanned  farming, illegal and unsustainable logging is contributing to  rapidly increasing temperature s and erosion worldwide 

We seem to have forgotten the importance of the process called photosynthesis, which is one of the major functions of our trees, they breathe in Carbon Dioxide thus cleaning the air. The more the trees disappear, the hotter it gets and the more toxic it gets. Today this accounts for 20%of the global man-made CO2 emissions. 

Recently our Prime Minister got into a heated debate on the preservation of one of  our national recreation park s, which was airmarked to be outfitted with an  artificial surface as  part of the  capitals, infrastrusture upgrade. The Prime Minister declared his non support for such a venture by City planners. The decision sparked much of an uproar , the environmentalist were up in arms that the idea was even entertained as  for decades the park has been one of the more popular green spaces, home to many sporting enthusiasts, families enjoying weekend leisure time,and the hub of outdoor entertainment activities. 

This colorful lush space is considered an oasis in the midst of an otherwise busy, heavily trafficked town, with rising temperatures you can literally feel as you traverse outdoors. Absolutely every building is equipped with air conditioning as its impossible to function without it. 

To replace what's natural with something that's artifical as much as it seems progressive benefits  only the developers in the long run. One is left to wonder if proper consultations were done or the need to develop sustainably taken into consideration.? 

We live on a planet that is covered by 31% land area is covered by  forestry.

According to an article in worldwildlife.org, our  forest and by a lesser extent the trees play a critical role in mitigating climate change, because they act as a carbon sink... soaking up the  carbon dioxide that would otherwise be free in the atmosphere and contribute to ongoing change in climate patterns

We all know when forest fall to illegal logging or agricultural conversion, it lost forever, and so are the animals, insects that are all part of the  amazing eco system. 

The adverse effects of climate change  is a global problem, from deforestation that affects livelihood and displaces wildlife and tribes that inhabit forest in Africa  and other regions, to increase In heatwaves across American states, prolonged and uncommon winters in Eroupe and Canada, melting of the glaciers in the antartic to some of the most destructive hurricane seasons experienced by Central America and the Caribbean. 

Even as the debate raged here, the recent rains brought unprecedented flooding, at one point the water came down the mountains like an unstoppable giant, moving everything in its pathway. homes were flooded out, vechiles swept away, bridges displaced 

Once again there was a huge hue and cry as the those affected and authorities searched for answers. The opinions were not at all lacking.. Once again the need to look at the effects of Climate Change and part we can play to make a difference or at least adapt to it came up. 

Our country is a signatorie to  the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, according to the ministry of Planning Trinidad and Tobago is committed to a reduction in greenhouse gas reduction by 30%by December 31 2030, this is a step in the right direction. But how much of this depends on the actions of us as individuals, as planet citizens.?

Time is of essence, we need to treat this with urgency, its OK for the governments to have plans and policies, but what about us, earth day. Org says scientist have warned that we have just over a decade to cut our emissions in half to avoid devastating impacts of climate change on our food supply, national security, global health, extreme weather and more. 

Knowledge is power, I believe especially as women we can lead the charge  getting  informed and learning more about the science behind climate change is one way to begin. 

 We can lend our voices to issues happening in our countries  or communities that are climate change relate 

Follow groups, read up on the work they are doing to bring educational awareness, earthdayday.org and worldlife.org are two such groups 

Adapt green living, consider changes you can make to your life style, that will create less waste, adopt habits that support care for the enviroment. 

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Read labels choose garments and products made from sustainable fabrics and materials. 

Raise your voice, let your opinion be heard in decisions that are made to replace natural green spaces in the name of development 

Plant trees and fill your living space with plants that purify the air.. 

Whether you live Caribbean like me or in other parts of this amazing globe climate change is happening, and it's all our business. 

 

 

 

 

No maaa, Good evening,  she replied in her thick island accent, oh lord it hottttt, I can't take this heat, mom, I feeling like I'm burning up!This may be a fictious scenario, to some but it's a reality on the Islands.Yes we are known for Sun, Sea  and Sand, the rest of the world comes here  primarily to soak up, that natural goodness, but of late  its a different kind off heat.