(Save The Bays Statement) After months of national
news coverage about the inevitable long-term health epidemic Bahamians
will face as the result of Nassau’s noxious dump fires, it took only one
brief—yet emotional—plea to finally put
a global spotlight on this island-wide crisis.
In a correspondence sent
earlier this week to Waterkeeper Alliance, one of the world’s largest
and fastest growing environmental organizations, a concerned Bahamian
issued a desperate cry for help.
“Huge
clouds of black smoke is billowing into the sky causing a huge
environmental pollution. How can we stop my country from doing this…not
the first time,” wrote the concerned citizen.
“This has been going on forever in a residential area located on Harold
Road. You’re the only one that can stop this government from doing
this. Please, please help the people of the Bahama Islands, especially
Nassau, from the burning the dump.”
Headed up by Robert F.
Kennedy, Jr., New York-based Waterkeeper Alliance is a grassroots
movement focused solely on the preservation of clean water. With more
than 270 member groups spanning six continents, Waterkeeper
unites all organizations working to protect rivers, lakes, bays,
sounds, and other bodies of water around the world.
Upon receipt of this
news, Waterkeeper member Neale Gulley wasted no time reaching out to
Nassau-based environmental group Save the Bays for further insight into
this alarming emergency.
“I
was sent several reports about
tire burning taking place for the past week in Nassau, Bahamas,” Gulley
said. “Please let me know whether your organizations are in a position
to weigh in on what is happening down there.”
Timing of this international awareness couldn’t be more crucial as
economic and financial leaders from
48 countries
gather in Nassau this week to attend the annual Inter-American
Development Bank meeting where topics of discussion include climate
change and sustainability, among others.
In a statement issued
today, Minister of Environment and Housing Kenred Dorsett said the
situation at the dump remains a top priority for government and noted
that government has saved $6 million since turning
management over to a company called Renew Bahamas.
“This is a critical time for safeguarding our environment which is
coming under increasing pressure,” said Joseph Darville. As chairman of
Save the Bays, Darville heads a distinguished board of directors that
includes leaders in the environmental movement internationally
and locally including members of Waterkeeper Alliance.
Darville is not alone in
his sentiment. To ensure visiting officials grasp the full scope of
this catastrophe, concerned Bahamians will assemble in protest outside
the Baha Mar convention center
on Sunday
in demand
of their right to breath clean air wearing medical masks, dressed in
all black and carrying placards depicting images of the landfill ablaze.
“This is an issue that
effects everyone,” Darville said. “Not only is this an environmental
issue, but a basic human rights issue. As citizens of this planet we all
have the right to drink clean water and breathe
air that is pure, especially in a place as beautiful and beloved as the
Bahamas.”