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 pat of a new lifestyle that if all of us partake in, will be so easy to adapt to.
Our eco system 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.
You can also keep our islands’ environment safe by adjusting how you travel here without having to make drastic changes in how you have gotten used to travel. Let’ s start with the basics:
• Only use reef-safe sunscreen when in the Caribbean( and everywhere else for that matter)
• Bring and use a reusable water bottle 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.
• Walk with 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.
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 t 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
Riselle
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