Dear Editor,

It might help if the environmentalists were to explain what burning coal produces in addition to electricity. I can make the case that I have no problem with coal, but a large problem with the by-products created by burning it.

Ironically, diesel fuel known as “Bunker C Crude” used in the fuel-producing facilities in Jamaica today produces as much pollution as coal, yet no one is talking about that.

If the Chinese can commit to the necessary pollution control devices that will remove the pollutants from their emissions, they can use whatever they want to create electricity. I put this on the Chinese because our governments are not known for enforcing anything, except that which benefits them personally. However, even with their track record, I would like our leaders to commit to enforcement of laws they pass, especially those relating to the environment.

The then Government should have been the first to tell the Chinese that the Goat Islands are not available for any development because they are part of a marine sanctuary. But they didn’t do that.

The cement factory is also a source of pollution, but governments have conveniently ignored the effect of the coal and particulates emitted from that location. Marl quarries, such as the one in Bull Bay, have made the entire stretch of coastline from Harbour View to Eleven Miles one big dust bowl, yet they sit back and do nothing. Their response is that these are the sacrifices we must endure for national development. Well, we also have to live here. So when the air is dense with coal dust, sulphur dioxide and marl and cement dust settled on everything from Harbour View to Breezy Castle, then we will happily say that we have made millions of dollars in foreign exchange, while we watch our children wheeze as they try to sleep in the dust of development. I guess we will have the foreign exchange to pay for the medical treatment to go with that.

So, please, environmentalists, please explain and compare the benefits and disadvantages of our options to development, and explain why we need to do each with care to have sound understanding of the consequences.

As anyone in the world must know by now, Jamaica (the people) are the most amazing thing they know. They run fast, create great music, are loving, capable and caring if given the opportunity, and come from a fantastically beautiful place. None of these have been enabled with marl dust, coal emissions or bauxite. I vote people and place over pollution. We can achieve anything, and should make intelligent choices about how we use the world we live in, so there will be a Jamaica that is more than hotels and mineral quarries for generations to come.

Hugh M Dunbar

hmdenergy@gmail.com