World Earth Day 2022: Embracing our natural sites

From antiquity, Dominica has been known as The Nature Island. Our rich flora and fauna, majestic terrains, fumarole, natural spa, waterfalls, and rivers; underscore our title as the nature island.

Though this is true, we often wonder, do we embrace this title as citizens of the nature island? Some of us do, but it has never crossed the minds of others.

You have those of the population who would plant a tree or pick up their garbage after a moonlight Lyme. On the flip side, you have those who leave their cigarette butts and empty beer bottles on the path to scenic falls.

The world will celebrate Earth Day on the 22nd of April under the theme, ‘Invest In Our Planet.’ The critical term investment does not only take a financial approach but rather a holistic approach for a sustainable act amidst the concern over accelerating climate change.

Saving the Earth means protecting Dominica, our natural sites, and preserving island environments and cultures.  Engaging all sectors of the society in understanding that Investing in our Dominica should be the ethos of operations and at the heart of all.

According to Sustainable Footprint’s article entitled Sustainable Footprint, 10 tips to save the world’s islands: Sustainable Footprint, Islands like our nature are actually among the world’s most threatened ecosystems.

The article further states that “in the last 400 years, over 50 percent of all plant and animal species extinctions, including an astonishing 90% of all bird species extinctions, have occurred on islands.”

We all saw the pictures of the nature island after Hurricane Maria or experienced the image right outside our home.  The most surprising and terrifying feature was the impact of the sea blast, scorching the backs, branches, and leaves of the vegetation that remained.  Everything looked burnt!  Within hours we lost primary forest area and animal habitats.

The article “Climate” published by World Resources Institute on February 27th, 2022 expressed that “Every tenth of a degree of additional warming will escalate threats to people, species, and ecosystem.” and goes on to say “if warming exceeds 1.5 degrees C, even temporarily, more severe, often irreversible effects of climate change will occur, such as stronger storms longer heatwave and brought more extreme precipitation, rapid sea-level rise, loss of Arctic sea ice and ice sheets thawing permafrost and more.

Now, if we are susceptible to the weather phenomenon that has been made worse by climate change, why do some of us take our Natural areas for granted?  Why do we act like another Dominica is waiting for us to inhabit when this one is destroyed?

A lot of us love to have a good time.  Fun on the nature island surpasses anything; however, we have an opportunity that amidst the fun and frolic, we are responsible.

The Ministry of Tourism spends, or instead, to use the term invest, loads of finance into the marketing and promotion of Dominica.  Their work thus far is commendable.  As a result of their increased focus on displaying all that Dominica has to offer, it opens the door for external and internal visitors to these locations.  More traffic to these sites can negatively impact and cause physical damage to the natural and marine areas.  Therefore it is imperative for us, as the internal users, to do our part in the upkeep of our Natural sites. So that as more visitors come to our shores, they are presented with the Nature Island that we boast of being.

We are happy to see the many groups organizing different party tours to various sites, getting our people to learn and enjoy the Island.  However, we lament when some of these same groups will not return to clean up the areas or contribute to maintaining the sites.  Therefore the party tours become more of an economic venture rather than promoting and conserving the sites.

Another look at the Investments can be seen through the eyes of our private companies.  How many business owners are committed to building a future for Dominica where its citizens continue to have clean air to breathe, clean water to drink, and healthy communities to work and live in?

Many companies were thrust to adopt a new resilient model post-Hurricane Maria; understanding by investing in climate and infrastructural resilience and using a clean energy future, they can play their part in tackling the climate crisis head-on.

A question was asked to 5 children between the ages of 5 to 10 years, “How would you like to see Dominica 10 years from now?”

All had the same response that they would want to see a Dominica with plenty of trees, fun water pools, and clean.

If this Generation, the future leaders, want to experience the Dominica we have now and even better, then it’s only fair we ensure that we keep Dominica clean and green.  A Dominica they can enjoy when they are adults themselves.

There is no problem with us enjoying our natural sites,  even building where there are the most excellent views or and farming on the best land.  However, the practice of use during these times should always question how it impacts the future of the area.

We would see the economic benefits of adopting a holistic approach to investing in our natural sites.  We encourage EVERYONE (person and entity) to focus on the solution that can let the world see what we have to offer as the Nature Island and still protect and improve on it.  Knowing that we have a Boeri lake in Dominica is Different from taking steps to portray the beauty of the area, respecting its majestic beauty and keeping our litter in our vehicles, not tampering with the forest and displacing the wildlife.

According to Youth Advocate Ashfred Norris, “The usual theme for earth day would surround a quote that looks at environmental protection, conservancy, advocacy; however, this year’s theme is a bit broader and seeks to encompass components that are not just environmental.  It shows that environmentalists and others have realized that a thriving world ‘sustainability’ doesn’t only have to do with Climate Change and environmental issues but also encourages other sectors to be sustainable.  Because, yes, we’re doing this for our planet and its viability, but we also want future generations to be in a better position than projected.  We want sustainable and better-paying jobs, better factories, and a cleaner approach to manufacturing- even education, skills, and employment.  This year’s theme is a call for us to look at the sectors we all operate.  It urges us to see the importance of pouring into its sustainable development for our future generations because it’s simply the right thing to do.

To localize the context of the words of John Paul II and Gaylord Nelson, “Dominica will not continue to offer its harvest, except with faithful stewardship.  We cannot say we love the land and then take steps to destroy it for use by future generations.  “The ultimate test of Dominican’s conscience may be our willingness to sacrifice something today for future generations whose words of thanks will not be heard.

Here are Views from our Members and Partners:

Local President JCI Dominica, Lyndelle Felix

I think it is critical to protect our natural sites here in Dominica and across the world since the national parks and other protected sites are used to monitor the health of environmental benchmarks and better understand the effects of climate change, pollution, resource extraction, invasive species, and other stressors.

Immediate Past President, Jeannel David

An Island with 365 rivers is a gem to the world and we should take pride in protecting it. I believe we should protect our Natural Site in order to keep our standard name as the Nature Isle of the Caribbean. Where better to start than our river?

Executive Vice President, Aisha Jno-Baptiste

Dominica is known for its mountainous terrain, clean waters and our pristine natural sites that serve as a tourism attraction.  Preserving our natural sights helps to mitigate risks and damage from natural disasters, add value to communities and protect our food and water supply as well as decreasing the cost of healthcare to our population.  Let us all play our part to conserve and protect our natural sights. It is our responsibility as the Nature Isle of the Caribbean, it is our responsibility as humankind. 

Cultural Ambassador Wayne D Benjamin:

Protection of our natural resources is imperative for our future generations. Dominicans should take the responsibility to protect what we have, to keep our standing as The Nature Isle so our future generation will enjoy and cherish the comfort we have today.

It is our Dominica!

Denise Toussaint

When I was younger I used to love going to the Waterfall near our village and bathing in the waterfall near our home. I migrated to England in 1999 and upon my return, I see how much these places have changed, especially from Tropical Storm Erika and Hurricane Maria.   Unfortunately there are human changes. The garbage left at the waterfall site is brought down and deposited in the lower level of the river, next to our home, where we would dive as children.  We need to do better as a nation!

Commonwealth Games Athlete Advisory Commission Chairperson Brendan Williams

An investment in our planet mitigates against environmental and social risks, which would help ensure a better life for present and future generations.