By Andrew Simpson
Why does there always have to be something on my mind – which I feel compelled to share? My input will not always be taken favorably, but will hopefully have some impact on those I care about.
The newspapers are quite a resource for learning about matters which affect us and issues that are important. In the “Alter Call” feature this last week, a Reverend Mr. Dottin pleads with young people not to sacrifice their virginity on the alter of a vampire. He says that they must stay away from pornography, trust the word of God, take a stand against social media and not sacrifice long-term goals for short-term pleasures. There are many other articles; “Time to focus on rebuilding economy”, calls to “fill in the public on deficit financing” and an invitation from The Ministry of Agriculture for dialogue with people working with youth in agribusinesses. “Calls to step up water message”, “The Future of Water in Barbados” held at UWI and a “Ministerial message for World Water Day”, which I fear are not being seen by the majority of Barbadians.
“We must get serious” if we really wish to see change come and for prosperity to be attained by all people. “Waste not, want not” also applies to opportunities. “More advice for Govt” must be augmented with actions by the private sector, civic organizations and the church to bring knowledge and wisdom to the wider community, in order that our entire society may be empowered to participate; to flourish.
Land, labor and capital must seek to develop a formula that encourages increased local productivity, reduced consumption of foreign reserves, care for our natural environment and one another.
Having had the pleasure of viewing “A Plastic Ocean” last evening at The Errol Barrow Centre for Creative Imagination, (kudos to the newly formed ‘Plastic Oceans Trust’) and hearing the children ask some rather pertinent questions afterward, it occurred to me that there is the need for a new lifestyle governance culture, to be designed and developed, so our country may model ‘future sustainable development’ to the world. This might be called “Environomics”. Imagine the future value of monetary savings that a typical family might accrue, by choosing not to spend on disposable packaging but it must first be charged for separately to allow such healthy mechanism to function. How about the earning capacity for PAROS (people around recycling others stuff) and the financial savings to government from commensurately reducing the demand for expensive landfill space; not to mention enhanced foreign exchange benefits, if policies were legislated that resulted in households having to pay only for mixed garbage – where sorting of waste – to facilitate regeneration of these valuable resources might translate to tax savings for those who participate. Likewise, greater food security can also be attained by implementing separate collection of ‘green waste’, for composting / blending, to produce valuable soil amendments for agricultural remediation.
We must start with what often appears to be the little things, if we expect to thrive in the national sense. Join the campaign, to help spread awareness about the need to “keep our island clean”, spiritually, mentally and physically. Help to educate family, friends and fellow citizens, by speaking out, using social media and supporting efforts that share ideas for the betterment of your community. Do the right thing!
The blogmaster invites you to join the discussion.