Waterkeeper Alliance, one of the world’s largest and fastest growing environmental watchdog organizations, received the above image via email this week from a concerned Bahamian citizen pleading for international help. Toxic fumes and tar-colored smoke from dump fires have been enveloping the island of New Providence repeatedly in the past month though in a statement issued today, the Environment Minister said the fires have been shorter and put out faster.
Kennedy’s Waterkeeper Alliance Watchdog Group Now on Alert
After months of national news coverage about the inevitable long-term health epidemic Bahamians will face as the result of Nassau’s noxious dump fires, it took only one brief—yet emotional—plea to finally put a global spotlight on this island-wide crisis.
In a correspondence sent earlier this week to Waterkeeper Alliance, one of the world’s largest and fastest growing environmental organizations, a concerned Bahamian issued a desperate cry for help.
“Huge clouds of black smoke is billowing into the sky causing a huge environmental pollution. How can we stop my country from doing this…not the first time,” wrote the concerned citizen. “This has been going on forever in a residential area located on Harold Road. You’re the only one that can stop this government from doing this. Please, please help the people of the Bahama Islands, especially Nassau, from the burning the dump.”
Headed up by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., New York-based Waterkeeper Alliance is a grassroots movement focused solely on the preservation of clean water. With more than 270 member groups spanning six continents, Waterkeeper unites all organizations working to protect rivers, lakes, bays, sounds, and other bodies of water around the world.
Upon receipt of this news, Waterkeeper member Neale Gulley wasted no time reaching out to Nassau-based environmental group Save the Bays for further insight into this alarming emergency.
“I was sent several reports about tire burning taking place for the past week in Nassau, Bahamas,” Gulley said. “Please let me know whether your organizations are in a position to weigh in on what is happening down there.”
Timing of this international awareness couldn’t be more crucial as economic and financial leaders from 48 countries gather in Nassau this week to attend the annual Inter-American Development Bank meeting where topics of discussion include climate change and sustainability, among others.
In a statement issued today, Minister of Environment and Housing Kenred Dorsett said the situation at the dump remains a top priority for government and noted that government has saved $6 million since turning management over to a company called Renew Bahamas.
“This is a critical time for safeguarding our environment which is coming under increasing pressure,” said Joseph Darville. As chairman of Save the Bays, Darville heads a distinguished board of directors that includes leaders in the environmental movement internationally and locally including members of Waterkeeper Alliance.
Darville is not alone in his sentiment. To ensure visiting officials grasp the full scope of this catastrophe, concerned Bahamians will assemble in protest outside the Baha Mar convention center on Sunday in demand of their right to breath clean air wearing medical masks, dressed in all black and carrying placards depicting images of the landfill ablaze.
“This is an issue that effects everyone,” Darville said. “Not only is this an environmental issue, but a basic human rights issue. As citizens of this planet we all have the right to drink clean water and breathe air that is pure, especially in a place as beautiful and beloved as the Bahamas.”
Source: Diane Phillips & Associates
