Major Oil Spill in Trinidad- Let's see the bigger picture!!!!

Several questions are being asked for the past few days whether it was a lack of management on Petrotrin's behalf or if sabotage was suspected. According to reports, President of Petrotrin, Khalid Hassanali said he had received a report that oil had been deliberately spill by leaving a tank valve open at Trinity Oil and Gas, one of Petrotrin's lease operators. My question is, "why would an individual even do such deed???" According to Ancel Roget, President of OWTU said Petrotrin is short by some 273 security officers. Now, I do not know how true this is but what I do know is now is not the time for dispute between Petrotrin and the OWTU, but to see the bigger picture that is to work together with several authorities in place (EMA, WASA, Ministry of Energy and the Environment and Health, IMA) to help control this "Environmental Disaster" which has occurred. 

In yesterday's news, it was reported that an SOS was sent out to one of the largest oil spill response companies in the US to help clean up the spill in La Brea. Several residents have been affected by this oil spill resulting in nausea and headaches. Marine life of more concern is of greater danger and risk as this can reduce the population and species number in Trinidad as well as affect the lives of humans as this is a source of food and income to us. Such marine life is of risk for example, adult fish may experience reduced growth, enlarged livers, changes in respiration and heart rates, reproduction impairment and also has effects on larval survival.

With this being said the EMA is currently looking into what steps can be taken to better enforce compliance with environmental laws as well as the management of Petrotrin and is boosting security around fuel installations amongst the south-western area. Let's just hope this enforcement of laws and boost of security continues repeatedly and not only when there is a "disaster". 

Let's all wish for the best that this oil spill suppresses very soon and that the effects are limited on both marine and human life. 

Oil covering a Station Beach in La Brea on south-west Trinidad. Kristian de Silva/ Trinidad and Tobago Guardian.

Employees of state-owned Petrotrin pull a containment boom as the try to contain the spread of the oil spill at Queen's Beach La Brea yesterday. Petrotrin has now entered into it's sixth day of clean up of the oil spill along the south-western coastline which is affecting communities from La Brea to Cedros. PHOTO: RISHI RAGOONATH

A GREAT REVOLUTIONARY!!!!

Despite this blog is about conserving the Environment I would like to take some time and pay respect to one of the greatest men on earth, The Honourable Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. Throughout his 95 years he became an idol and an inspiration to many throughout several nations. He was a Freedom fighter, prisoner, moral compass and South Africa's symbol of the struggle against racial oppression.

Mandela was an African Nationalist and believed in democracy, driven by belief in natural and human rights. With this, it drove him to not only pursue racial equality but also to promote gay rights as part of the post-apartheid reforms. Despite all his struggles he fought for what he thought was best for his country and people and with this I will end with stimulating quotes of a simple, humble and inspirational man:

“No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.” —Long Walk to Freedom

“Like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is people who have made poverty and tolerated poverty, and it is people who will overcome it. And overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice. It is the protection of a fundamental human right, the right to dignity and a decent life.”

“It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership.”

R.I.P The Honourable Nelson Mandela, you will always be remembered for your ENORMITY!!!!

Our Attitude Is The Key!

When we use the word environment we naturally think of the physical. But solutions to the environmental crisis that we face must start at the level of social environment. How do we relate to each other, firstly in the community, the nation and the world.

We must do garbage disposal so as not to offend our neighbors. Curb exhaust emissions so the child next door does not develop breathing problems. We cannot slash and burn because we may create floods and land slips that put our neighbours in danger. Do not dump things in drains, streams and rivers because such actions will contaminate the fish from the sea that we love to eat.

Global warming and the accoutrements there of are abstract ideas that the majority of us cannot relate to if only because these negatives would occur long after we depart from this earth. The NOW is our attitude to the neighbour next door.

It starts with you as an individual first!

Think Before You Act

The rainy season is once more upon us and several areas in Trinidad is being affected due to our careless doings. Early last month Diego Martin was once affected again because of flooding. Why is this? Maybe it is because of us human beings which causes deforestation for development. We do not think before we act and here is where the problem arises.

Remember, Fewer trees= more floods

Trees prevent sediment runoff and forests hold and use more water than grasslands and farms. here are a few points why trees are of utmost importance to our environment:

1. Some rainwater stay on leaves and may evaporate directly to the air- this causes less remains to runoff.
2. Leaves reduce raindrop impact and causes less erosion.
3. Tree roots absorb water from the soil, making the soil drier and able to store more rainwater.
4. tree roots hold the soil in place, reducing the movement of sediment that can shrink river channels downstream.

Another act of harm done by us is littering. It is another main contributor to flooding. Before we throw our wastes into rivers and drains we should all think about the future consequences of our actions. Littering block waterways which leads into waterbodies and this causes flooding. There's a little saying which goes a long way- "Less waste, Cleaner space!!!!"

What are we to do,Paper vs Food?

• The predictions of the techno prophets in spite of the facts, the availability and use, if not abuse of paper in on the increase.

  Even as we preach about the conservation of forest, we cut trees to make paper. We recycle only to expand uses for paper in terms of cups, bags, wrapping products and it goes on and on.

  Newspaper, books, pamphlets all depend on the availability of paper. We file, we burn, we discard we pollute but paper remains the most suitable medium to write on, and it is still more economical than all competitive products.

  One solution is to plant trees for the sole purpose of harvesting for the production of paper, but land space is expensive and climate change is inevitable, and is food more needed than paper to educate about these consequences of the inevitable. We can’t do without paper, or food for that matter. 

  What are we to do?

Brands Go Green!

If brands can Go Green so can we!

Several automotive brands are planning to meet sustainable goals. A plain example is Toyota which is trying to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Nissan is also trying to reduce vehicle weight by utilizing renewable and sustainable materials. 

Its plain and simple, if they can prove sustainability profitability can increase. 

Additionally, Ford also produced an Ecoboost engine in 2012 and sold over 3 million Ecoboost equipped vehicles. 

This is major news guys! I really think several industries shall gain some inspiration by these sort of news and start producing more Eco friendly products. 

It was also noted that the tech sector led the way in making environmental considerations a top priority, and has even begun to influence other sectors as well. Panasonic electronics company also earned its position as the category leader by continuing to offer innovative, eco, and smart solutions to its global consumer base.

For more info visit: http://www.interbrand.com/en/news-room/press-releases/2013-06-12-1fd9e22.aspx

Don't forget sustainability is our responsibility so start doing little things to hep our environment :)

Why don't we just carpool?

On an average, each household owns two cars, some own even more. Yes we all like our comfort but we should also think about the little ways we can help save the environment. A simple act of carpooling can help!

Have you ever seen the traffic congestion heading into Port of Spain? It's terrible and frustrating at times! I am sure in our streets and villages there are several of us heading in the same direction on a daily basis but prefer to use our own vehicles for comfort rather than carpooling.

There are several reasons to carpool:

• Reduce traffic congestion
• Save on gas
• Reduce the amount of emissions (reduce air pollution)- allowing a healthier life 
• Allows social interaction

Remember, for each person in a carpool there is one less vehicle on the road spewing out pollution and harming our environment. We need to analyse ourselves and make a concerted effort to change. 

"Make a change, lets start carpooling!"

Plastic Free July

Hi Everyone! Remember its Plastic Free July throughout the world to promote awareness and responsiveness of the usage of plastics in our daily lives.

A simple statement such as "less plastic, more lives" can help one think about saving their environment just not for themselves but for future generations to come.  Persons need to remember that plastics are non-biodegradable which can affect the environment.

There are 3 simple ways everyone can contribute to help save our environment:

• Reduce- Use less plastic. Instead of plastic bags use the Eco-Green bags.
•  Reuse- Limit the number of plastic you use on a daily basis.
• Recycle- Throw your plastics in a recycle bin if you cannot reuse it.

These 3 simple R’s can help Conserve non-renewable fossil fuels and Reduce consumption of energy, amounts of solid waste going to landfill and emissions of carbon-dioxide, nitrogen-oxides and sulfur-dioxide.

Today's Quote: “Less plastic, more lives. Green is the way!!!”