Styrofoam floating in the ocean in Bimini last year. Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff
By RASHAD ROLLE
Tribune Staff Reporter
rrolle@tribunemedia.net
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis added his voice to the government's push to eliminate single-use plastics by 2020 yesterday evening, telling people during a town-hall at the New Providence Community Church that it's time The Bahamas takes substantial steps to protect the environment.
The importance of his message was boosted by a recent viral video showing massive plastic debris covering a beach in the Dominican Republic in the last week.
"This shocking event dramatises why there is a global push towards reducing plastic pollution in our oceans," Dr Minnis said.
"More than 60 countries have already committed to introducing levies and bans to reduce single-use plastic waste. Plastic pollution is extremely difficult to move from our environments and these plastics break down into much smaller micro pieces which are often mistaken for food by birds, turtles and fish.
"Tiny particles of plastics have been found to build up in fish brains, altering their behaviour. The effects of human beings eating fish affected by these plastics is still being studied.
"With an extensive and delicate marine environment, plastic contamination is passed up through our food chain, ultimately having negative impacts on our health and our economy which depends so heavily on our pristine waters and beaches."
Dr Minnis said yesterday's town-hall was the first of many as the government pursues the elimination of "single-use plastics such as shopping bags, food utensils, straws and Styrofoam from food containers."
Bahamians could show their support for the policy through the reduction of littering, he said.
"I want to encourage all Bahamians to do their part in reducing their plastics and Styrofoam use. As much as possible, refuse what you can't reuse. We need to stop throwing garbage on the road and on the beaches and in our waters and we need to stop dumping garbage on vacant land and in the bushes."
Comments
John 5 years, 8 months ago
In the main time over 30,000 Japanese citizens have been admitted to hospital for heat stroke. A number have died. Close to 100 residents in Greece have lost their lives due to raging forest fires that have consumed many homes. Some residents had to jump into the ocean to save their lives. They were later rescued. Others were not so fortunate as they perished just 30 yards of reaching the seawater and this is being all blamed on global warming. In fact experts are now pondering if the weather will be too hot to host the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. A heat wave is hitting bit Asia And Europe and the higher summer temperatures are expected to be in effect still when the Olympics come around for n 2020.
Porcupine 5 years, 8 months ago
But, let's turn our heads when it comes to Oban, or the drilling for oil off of Andros. I would just like to see some consistency with what we say our real concerns are. As mentioned above, there are other very serious issues we have completely ignored.
birdiestrachan 5 years, 8 months ago
doc gets rid of plastic bags. so he can bring a oil refinery. the brilliance of roc wit doc
proudloudandfnm 5 years, 8 months ago
Come have a town hall in Freeport ya bad....
Well_mudda_take_sic 5 years, 8 months ago
The environmental damage from the plastics that Minnis talks about pales in comparison to the large scale damage that would be done by the massive bunkering, refueling and transshipment facility that his government is proposing to let Shell North America build on the Western side of New Providence near Albany, Lyford Cay and Old Fort. Minnis must have rocks in his head, or perhaps he has consumed so much fish stew contaminated with toxic plastics that he no longer can think straight.
sheeprunner12 5 years, 8 months ago
What will be the alternatives for Bahamians ........ who are addicted to these cheap and easy plastic bags and food containers and utensils??????? ............... That will put many wholesale and retail businesses out of business right away.
Good idea ........ But can it be done in TWO years???????? ........... HMMMMMMMM
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