My personal take on subsidies- TT Budget 2018

As we all know, Trinidad and Tobago’s budget was held on October 2, 2017 with varying opinions on what was stated. However, the main issue that stole the spotlight was the reduction on fuel and electricity subsidies. As everyone knows, T&T pays a very small percent for both fuel and electricity due to such high subsidies.

Before I state my view on this, I would first like to define what a subsidy is. A subsidy is a form of financial aid extended to an economic sector which has been granted by the government. With this being said, while subsides are known to make gasoline and power more accessible to persons and, transportation as well as electricity rates cheaper, several other aspects has been casted from our minds. Therefore, it is safe to say we do not look at this in a holistic approach but, only view it as one way forward; human gain regarding the protection of “our pockets.”

Often, persons forget or discard the environment when making decisions, not taking into consideration this is the only reason you are alive. A poor environment = poor health. When we have subsidies on things such as gas, this encourage persons to use their private cars regularly, which in fact is unsustainable and contributes highly to pollution, due to the increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere which is directly linked to global warming. This is then linked to public health issues as a result of pollution. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 7 million premature deaths are annually linked to air pollution. Furthermore, gas is a finite energy source and unlike sunlight, water or wind energy, fossil fuels cannot be renewed. This means that, once the gas reserves have been completely used up, there is nothing more left.

Additionally, despite several persons believe that subsidies are actually helping them; I have to say this may not likely be true.  Since, many rural communities are still lacking proper energy services and are not able to get water and electricity every day. This is because energy service businesses may have weak incentives to provide access of quality energy services to the poor, mainly because of the low population densities, which makes it costly to serve remote locations, and the low incomes of the poor, who often use little energy compared with wealthier households. At the end of the day, subsidies benefit the rich (ownership of several vehicles, use of a greater amount of electricity) over the poor (greater use of public transport due to less ownership of cars, less households that use a vast amount of electricity), believe it or not.

If the government’s goal is to improve the living standards of the environment and poor, there may be other ways to do so. Renewable and green energy sources are something we as a Caribbean Island should be focusing on in 2017. The need to focus on solar, hydroelectric, wind, tidal and geothermal energy is of great importance. As it was mentioned before, once our natural resources are used up, there will be nothing left. Better transparency, planning, communication, and consultation prior to implementation of price increases are needed for success in the complete removal of fuel subsidies.

Tell me, what is your take on this?

Future Ecological Collapse?..... Maybe!

Over the past few days there have been much controversy on the poaching of our national bird, the Scarlet Ibis, and I am extremely shocked and disappointed to even know that this has been happening for some time. We as human beings have failed our nation on several occasions by destroying our biodiversity. I’ve always considered Trinidad and Tobago to be one of the richest Caribbean countries because of our striking biodiversity and natural resources. However, majority of us have seen this as a way to earn money (I call it black money) than just sit back and enjoy what God has created for us.

My question to you Trinis is, “why is it that every wildlife you see, you must kill and make a cook?” Because that’s the nature and thinking of several persons. According to a post yesterday made on social media, the fine for poaching a Scarlet Ibis would be $100,000 tt. I must say despite I am happy that this matter has been somewhat looked into; I can positively say having a fine means absolutely nothing without implementation.

There are several questions that are unanswered when it comes to this situation, and if anyone can answer them I would be grateful:

1. Why is it that poachers are the only ones getting fined? What about the buyers and consumers?
2. Would this $100, 000 go into conserving the Scarlet Ibis as well as several other species, wetlands and other protected areas?  
3. Why is it that other wildlife species are not being protected or as of major concern as the Scarlet Ibis? What about the ocelots? (Earlier this year an ocelot was found shot.), what about our turtles? Despite there is a fine or jail time for poaching other wildlife, this mechanism is not implemented nor is the fine substantial.
4. The Caroni Swamp is protected under the Ramsar Convention which is the intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. REALLY????????? BECAUSE IT DOES NOT SEEM SO!!!!
5. What about game wardens? Clearly I think there’s a need for them!
6. Why are our policies not updated?  We have a National Environmental Policy which is dated 2006. Why is this so old? And a DRAFT National Wildlife Policy. Why is this still a draft?

Unfortunately we are losing more of our country as each day passes by. I do believe if nothing’s done soon, our future generation will not be able to experience such natural wonders of our country. There’s more to life than urban development and money.

We should preserve every scrap of biodiversity as priceless while we learn to use it and come to understand what it means to humanity.

---E. O. Wilson

Observing World Wetlands Day

Despite being a day late I would still like to wish Trinidad and Tobago a happy World Wetlands Day. As many of us know, this day is celebrated on February 2^nd every year since it concurs with the anniversary of the signing of the Convention on Wetlands in 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar. Currently in Trinidad and Tobago, there are three sites designated under the Ramsar Convention: Caroni Swamp, Nariva and the Buccoo Reef Bon Accord Lagoon Complex.

These wetland sites are a main hotspot for species biodiversity and are home to threatened species such as the blue and gold macaw and the manatee. We as Trinbagonians should be delighted to have such rich biodiversity in our little twin island. However, these wetlands are often viewed as mucky and dirty and have no value to humans. This misunderstanding has caused wetlands to be threatened by: agriculture, pollution, human settlements and industrial developments. Unfortunately because of these threats, most of Trinidad and Tobago’s wetland areas have been destroyed and only 1% is presently covered by wetlands. It is important to remember that management of these wetlands is significant in order to sustain their healthy functioning which is essential for stakeholders because of the use of the multi-resources produced such as:

·         

         Protection of coastal areas and shorelines

·         They act as nurseries

·         They allow ecotourism and recreation sites

·         They filter pollutants and sediments

·         They act as flood storage

·         Maintain a balanced carbon cycle

·         Retain nutrients

With this being said, initiatives should be taken to encourage other Caribbean islands to join the Ramsar Convention and to increase its acceptance. Training and education courses for stakeholders should be encouraged as to prevent the degradation of these wetlands in order to uphold our biodiversity.

Be the Solution, not the Problem- Conserve and Protect