Speak up
All organisations and individuals involved in the Coastal Cleanup over the weekend should be commended. After all, these people spent hours in the hot sun removing garbage and litter from several beaches so that residents as well as visitors can continue to enjoy them.
But while the volunteers and entities that cooperated with them deserve all the credit in the world, it is actually sad that they were able to collect so much trash: 1,600 kilos at Mullet Bay Beach alone. All that rubbish did not just fall from the sky, but was thrown or left there by people.
It is unbelievable that in this day and age there are those who still think it is okay to litter as they please and to harm the environment, creating a nuisance for others in the process. Too often people are seen throwing stuff on the ground when there is a garbage bin close by. Many also cannot seem to learn to keep their rubbish in the car and dispose of it properly when they get home, rather then just flinging it out of the car and onto the roadside.
If one were to visit such people and throw rubbish in their yard or even in their home, they would be offended. Yet that is essentially what they do by polluting the island that is the permanent home of all who live here and temporary home of those who visit.
The whole idea of banning plastic bags or switching to either bio-degradable or reusable bags is a good one, but as long as the mentality of those who litter doesn’t change it is like carrying water to the sea. Some people just don’t seem to get it or want to get it.
Perhaps it is time for more drastic action. In Curaçao there was once a “changa porko” (catch the pig) campaign where people were encouraged to photograph those who littered in the act. Flags with pigs were also distributed so that especially motorists who saw others litter would hold up the pig flags and blow their horns.
The campaign did not last long, because it was politically sensitive. The argument was that people should not be called pigs, but in the eyes of many, including this newspaper, that’s exactly what those who continue to litter despite all the efforts to make the public aware deserve to be called.
In any case, everyone who knows better needs to understand that it’s the task of each and every member of this community to try to educate those who can’t seem to understand. While some may not want to take the risk of saying something for fear of reprisals, the reality is that if it is only left up the authorities, making any meaningful change will be difficult at best.
Be careful, but also be bold when it comes to defending your living environment. We live in a democracy and it’s not only everyone’s right, but their civic duty, to speak up in the general interest when needed.
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