Carpha's World Environment Day message: Do more to protect nature

THE Caribbean Public Health Agency (Carpha) has called on the public to refrain from exploiting nature and move towards protecting and healing it.

The plea was made via a press release in commemoration of World Environment Day, which is observed every year on June 5. The day is set aside to raise awareness of environmental problems such as pollution, land degradation, unsustainable consumption, sea-level rise, food insecurity and exploitation.

This year’s theme was “ecosystem restoration” which focused on conservation, prevention, halting and reversing the damage to ecosystems to maintain their rich biodiversity and aligns with United Nations decade on ecosystem restoration (2021-2030) agenda.

Noting the importance of ecosystems in the provision of water, good health, sustainability of livelihoods and well-being of the Caribbean people, Carpha said, there was need to ensure ecosystems were maintained and protected for generations to come.

Its executive director Dr Joy St. John said, “Carpha is happy to support the UN Decade on ecosystem restoration. The Caricom region is an environmental gem because of its unique blend of marine and land ecosystems.

“Our inhabitants and visitors alike enjoy the benefits and Carpha will do all in its power to support and sustain this treasure.”

It added that land degradation has threatened lives and livelihoods by loss of biodiversity, food, medicines, recreational facilities, and safe drinking water supplies.

Marine ecosystems were also under pressures, Carpha added, and were experiencing bleached coral reefs, marine litter, saline intrusion, groundwater pollution, and the impacts of climate change.

Inadequate planning and development in the Caribbean, Carpha pointed out, have contributed to pollution from untreated sewage, contamination from development and industrial sites, dredging and filling coastal wetlands and mangroves to build marinas and ports, sand mining and beach erosion; and increased consumption of water from surface and ground water sources.

“Although there has been some progress in addressing environmental degradation in the Caribbean’s terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystem, continued environmental degradation and loss of important biodiversity over the last 50 years has reduced the resilience of the region to survive natural disasters.”

It added that the covid19 pandemic was also a reminder of the importance and close relationship between humans and the health of the environment.

The Environmental Management Authority (EMA) also reiterated the need for a clean environment.

It said World Environment Day was a catalyst for building environmental consciousness of current and emerging environmental issues.

“To celebrate World Environment Day, think of the many ways you can reimagine, recreate and restore our environment: plant a tree, start a kitchen garden, practice recycling, carry reusable bags to the grocery, reduced the volume of music played in homes and vehicles, eliminate single use plastics, refuse single use plastics such as straws and Styrofoam containers, speak out against illegal dumping, install energy efficient bulbs and reduce your overall carbon footprint.”