‘Today is the first step’

WESTERN BUREAU:

The Rose Hall Development Company is looking at developing a deeper long-term strategy for protecting the local environment which will utilise broader education and public awareness, this after having led one of western Jamaica’s largest coastal clean-up efforts, as part of International Coastal Cleanup Day this year.

Rick Burrows, president of the development company, said the next phase of its environmental mission will focus on engaging schools and communities to foster behavioural changes to waste disposal and environmental stewardship.

“Today is the first step. But there is a step two, which is to get the community and our nation to understand the proper way to dispose of garbage,” said Burrows. “We need to do a little bit better because the roadsides can’t manage it, and they (garbage) go straight into the oceans, where all of us, all of our families, enjoy the beaches and the natural beauty of the island.”

“So we’re going to phase two with education. You know, you start young. Start with our students, start with the Spot Valley High, start with the Edmund Ridge Housing Scheme, and start with the community schools. And start to educate a little more so we can do a little bit better for our environment in the future,” said Burrows.

For over 15 years, the development company has supported the Jamaica Environment Trust (JET), contributing small teams to beach clean-ups. However, this year saw a shift to mobilise hundreds of volunteers, including local businesses, schools, and community groups, in a partnership which also featured the St James Municipal Corporation, through the MoBay Step Up Programme.

The group of volunteers collected 2,448 kilograms (3,192.50 pounds) of solid waste, including 120 large bags filled with plastic bottles from Rose Hall Beach and along the Zion to Spot Valley community roadways.

Montego Bay’s Mayor Richard Vernon echoed the urgency of the mission. He stressed that keeping drains clear and protecting marine life are essential to safeguarding the city against climate-related disasters.

“Montego Bay is a coastal city, and more than 50 per cent of our population lives within five miles of the shoreline,” said Vernon. “Protecting our marine life and keeping drains clear are essential to building resilience against storms, surges, and flooding.”

International Coastal Clean-up Day, which was observed this year on September 21, is a global initiative aimed at removing trash from the world’s beaches and waterways. Millions of volunteers are engaged annually to help combat ocean pollution and raise awareness about the impact of litter on marine life and ecosystems.