SUSTAINABLE LIVING because it is much cheaper and thus better for business ( read : more money ) than the better and healthier alternative ?
We Caribbean people can do better . We can follow the examples of islands such as Aruba , the B . V . I ., the Bahamas , Barbados , Grenada and a few more .
Our need to waste is getting out of hand and our Caribbean stubbornness is standing in the way of change . Nobody likes change . I ’ m the first one to complain but I also think that in the Caribbean we don ’ t only not like change , we stubbornly fight against it , only welcoming it when it makes our lives so much easier or richer in money , possessions and assets .
Prioritize
Our priorities are a little screwed up and that ’ s a pity because we can do so much better , achieve such greatness , even as smaller nations . Just like we are fast to copy our neighbor ’ s idea of a food truck or rum shack , why not copy businesses that use alternatives to plastic ? Why not make our own reef-safe sunscreen ? Why not purchase and use our own reusable water bottles , rum cups , metal straws , fabric bags and lunch boxes ? These items are not just a trend , they are part of a new lifestyle that if all of us partake in , will be so easy to adapt to .
Our ecosystem is unique but also delicate . It needs to be protected not only by our government but mostly by you , me , all of us . It won ’ t be hurricanes or volcanoes that will be the end of us but our own stubbornness and our own neglect to protect our environment .
The basics
You can also keep our islands ’ environments safe by adjusting how you travel here without having to make drastic changes in how you have gotten used to traveling . Let ’ s start with the basics :
Only use reef-safe sunscreen when in the Caribbean ( and everywhere else for that matter )
Bring and use reusable water bottles or purchase one here instead of depending solely on plastic water bottles for your daily water intake . Most islands ’ tap water is completely safe to drink and is even deliciously fresh tasting .
Use your water bottle or purchase a reusable wine cup or rum cup as well as a metal or bamboo straw for happy hour .
Carry your own shopping bag and say no to plastic bags at grocery stores . Actually , while you ’ re at it , say no to plastic cups and straws and styrofoam containers as well .
Buy locally instead of bringing in products from your home country that will no doubt end up in our garbage and thus add to our overflowing dumps .
Save the animals
And last , but certainly not least , and definitely as powerful in helping our planet : stop visiting zoos , dolphinariums or other attractions where you get up close with wild animals . A wild animal forced to entertain you is not a happy animal and much harm has been done in the capture and breaking in of that animal . Dolphins are ripped from their mothers ’ dead carcasses , flamingos are getting their wings clipped , monkeys are held in deplorable conditions just to make their captors money and then be killed when they are no longer of use . You are the only one that can stop the unfair treatment of animals by caring and by not visiting , attending or promoting places that use animals as an attraction . This will only stop when the demand diminishes .
Together we can make a difference . Surely I am not naïve in believing this overused quote , right ? I refuse to think that my little rant here will not affect a single person reading this . If it has , and I was able to open your eyes wide enough for you to at least question how you could be a more responsible human , I have done my part . Let me know your thoughts , comments and questions by sending me an email to :
rcelestina @ readmelange . com
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