Definitive action needed to preserve environment

THE EDITOR, Madam:

THE GOVERNMENT of Jamaica (GOJ) needs to get serious about preserving the country’s environment. First, having the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) being a part of Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, is akin to having the members of the executive of the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) appointed to the board of the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) and/or to the board of the National Water Commission (NWC). In short, it makes absolutely no sense.

If the Government is serious about climate change, then it should consider the following :

(1) All developers building town houses, apartment buildings, office complexes and/or hotels – with the Government implementing the necessary legislation – must include adequate green spaces in their plans, according to NEPA guidelines.

(2) Install large windows using French windows or louvres, to facilitate adequate cross-ventilation. These must be used in architectural plans so as to cut the dependency on the use of air conditioners.

(3) The Government should award a 20 per cent across-the-board tax cut to developers who comply with each and every NEPA recommendation.

(4) Renewable energy (solar/wind) must be used as the primary energy source in all new real estate developments.

(5) Pre-legislation, all existing residential and/or commercial developments that rely on energy from the JPS, but who make the shift to solar energy as their primary source of electricity, should receive a four-year, 25 per cent rebate on their property taxes.

(6) Commercial entities that are found to be guilty of dumping toxic waste and/ or effluence in rivers and/or the sea should face a punitive fine of $10 million or the temporary closure of their establishment, if they fail to pay the fine within 30 days.

Now more than ever, the GOJ must demonstrate – via consistent, persistent and decisive action – that it, post COP26, is done with the ‘pretty talk’ and is, instead, wholeheartedly adopting, implementing and enforcing environmental protection policies that work – and which are workable, over the short, medium and long term – in order to protect, preserve and, ultimately, save Jamaica for its present and future generations.

PATRICK GALLIMORE

pagalley@protonmail.com