Litter: the scourge of the N.S. countryside
I’ve been complaining about the littering problem in
Nova Scotia for many years. Unfortunately, even though perpetrators can face serious fines under the Motor Vehicle Act, it continues to be a huge and disgusting issue.
Let’s face it. Some people are simply just too lazy to take their trash home, and there are those who even argue that it’s not a big deal. To them, I say, really? I’d like to see even tougher fines but I get it that not everyone agrees with my opinion.
On one side, there were those who argue that the fines are already too extreme for what they perceive to be a minor offence. These people suggest police should spend their time cracking down on more serious offences such as speeding, driving while using a cell phone, failing to stop at stop signs and so on.
To these people, littering is not a problem or at least not a problem that should cause so much fuss.
Conversely, those of us who see littering as a blight on our countryside and a serious problem that, if unabated, will continue to
worsen, counter that charges should be even more severe. We want authorities to be forever vigilant in taking a tougher stand against a scourge that has, in our collective opinions, reached epidemic proportions.
Let’s consider this. No matter where you stand on this issue, littering in Nova Scotia is a crime.
That’s the bottom line and, as such, police have the authority to charge people who break those laws. Some of these infractions come with a heavy penalty, and police should do something about this problem that is strangling the Canadian countryside.
Let’s be clear on this. Littering is a problem and it’s one that must be stopped. You see the trash all around you as my wife and I recently experienced.
Taking advantage of the one spring day that we recently enjoyed here in Nova Scotia, a few weeks back we decided to take a walk and soak in the spring-like sunshine.
It was a stunner of the day. Temperatures were at record-breaking highs for late March and, while we walked, we could hear few birds chirping in a distance, as if announcing that spring had finally arrival. I do believe we live in God’s country. Seriously, is there any place in the springtime any nicer than Nova Scotia?
Fresh, unspoiled air to breathe in quenches your soul.
The refreshing, unfiltered noise of babbling brooks as the cold, clean water rushes to the rivers and, ultimately, the ocean, mix with the brisk breeze rustling through the branches, to create a cacophony of gentle sounds that give you peace of mind.
The plants and trees showing early signs of rebirth give you a sense of hope and optimism following the bleak darkness of winter.
Talk about stress relief. There is no better sedative.
It’s a gorgeous tapestry of natural sights and sounds; a marvel for all to behold.
And then there’s the litter. Lots of it in all its gross and disgusting glory strewn all over the landscape, a sad and stark reminder that humans really do not appreciate what we have.
Coffee cups. Cans and bottles. Wrappers from fast food joints. Cigarette butts. Plastic bags. Cardboard boxes. Even items of clothing and a shoe were scattered all over the ground and throughout the underbrush, spoiling the now not-sopristine environment that Mother Nature created.
I can’t help but scream, “What is wrong with some people!?!”
Why litter? Why not just take your trash home and dispose of it in the proper manner?
Are you lazy? Do you just not care about your world — our world?
If you don’t care about the environment, then think about the impact your bad habit is having on the animals, birds, fish and insects. They can’t really tell you what they think, but if they could talk I can only imagine what they would say about the mess that we’re creating around them.
“Are you trying to kill me?” That’s what they might say. “Slowly strangling me with your garbage.”
Besides the harm you’re doing to the environment, do you think you are above the law?
I, for one, am glad that police have the authority to charge anyone they catch littering. But I would like to see them do it more often.
I will concede that littering is not as serious as other crimes, but it is still as crime nonetheless and as such, it comes with consequences and if you break that law, then you should be made to pay the fine. As the old adage goes — you do the crime, you do the time.
The reality is that trash along our highways and roadsides is an eyesore and the time to get tough on those who break the law is long overdue, or at least that’s the view from here.