Dear Editor,

April 22 was celebrated as Earth Day worldwide. Every year on this date we get the usual messages reminding us about the importance of taking care of the planet, including a well-packaged statement from the Minister of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change. These messages are important and need to be repeated.

In thinking of the past 12 months, with regard to environmental matters and Jamaica, I cannot help but notice that there were, and continue to be, a number of environmental controversies. The most recent, the Riverton dump fire, is arguably the result of poor management by the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA). The other controversy that comes to mind is the location of the logistics hub, which continues to be shrouded in secrecy. This project has the potential to cause irreversible harm not only to the “two likkle” lizards on the Goat Islands but, more significantly, the destruction of underwater ecosystems (coral reefs, seagrasses) and associated coastal vegetation, such as mangroves in the surrounding islands and Portland Bight coastline.

Might I suggest a key theme that should have been included in this year’s Earth Day messages is that proper environmental management goes hand in hand with transparency and accountability from public and private entities. With reference to the abovementioned controversies, some of the reasons for poor solid waste management in Jamaica are linked to the lack of transparency with how the NSWMA is run, both at the operational and board levels. Likewise, the lack of transparency also plagues the logistics hub project. Now, a US$5-b MoU is to be signed with project partners, whose legitimacy and capability remain unclear.

I could cite a long list of instances where the lack of transparency on major developments has resulted in less than favourable outcomes for the environment and the people of Jamaica. For example, Spring Plains, Operation Pride, JPS sale to Mirant, Falmouth Pier, and NHT Outameni come to mind. And this lack of transparency is not limited to the current Administration.

My hope is that an informed and articulate Jamaican majority will continue to keep shining a light in the dark places where backroom deals are made regarding significant developments. This task is not only for the Office of the Contractor General, but every concerned Jamaican. Bad decisions and poor policy can cause irreparable and long-lasting negative damage to people as well as the environment. I hope that next year on April 22, we might have a better report card for the state of the Jamaican environment.

Peter E T Edwards, PhD

Marine scientist, environmental economist and policy analyst

@peterericthor