By EARYEL BOWLEG<\/p>\n
ebowleg@tribunemedia.net<\/a><\/p>\n Minister of the Environment Romauld Ferreirainsisteditwastherightthing todo for thecountryto tackle thedependencyofplasticuse amid the public push back of the single-useplasticban.<\/p>\n Hegaveremarks on Fridayat the \"Tackling Climate Change:WhatItaly& the European Union Are Doing toHelpforumhostedby the University of The Bahamas Climate Change Adaptation & Resilience Research Centre inpartnershipwith the Embassy ofItaly.<\/p>\n Mr Ferreirawarnedof thedeadlyeffects thatplasticshad notonlyon theenvironmentbut onpeopleshealth.<\/p>\n Heexplained:We cannottalkabout renewable energy,reducingourrelianceon fossil fuel without tackling ourdependenceonplasticsbecause itcomesfromthatandthe otherbigissue withplasticsisthattheyall break down to microplastics.Theyall end up in theoceanandwereon atrajectorytohavemoreplasticsin theoceanthan fish.<\/p>\n The Minister described how this affected The Bahamas: Andthisisa localproblemas well because many ofusseemtothinkthattheseproblemsexist somewhere else out thereandtheydont affectus.Thereve beennumerousstudies thathaveshownthatmicroplasticsarein thefishthatweeatandthatweconsume.Seeingthatwehavesome of the highest cancer rates in theworld, thisistherightthing todo.<\/p>\n The 25 cent fee for plastic bags has been controversial, with Super Value Owner Rupert Roberts recently telling The Tribune that customers are disgruntled by the move.<\/p>\n The guest speakerat Fridays event wasthe Italian Ambassador ArmandoVarricchiowho listedinitiatives that have been taken in Italy includingbecomingthe firstcountrytomakelessonsin climate change compulsory inschools.<\/p>\n And it Europe at large, the newEuropeanCommission'sEuropeanGreen Dealaimstoachieveno net emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050.<\/p>\n MrVarricchiospoke about theassistanceItalyhasgivento the Bahamas after Hurricane Dorian.<\/p>\n He said his fellow Italians were \"deeplytouched\" by the tragic event but also \"inspired by theresilienceof the Bahamian people.\"<\/p>\n Italy and the Bahamasenjoylong-standing diplomatic relations and astrongfriendship, the ambassador said. Soweworked as hard aswecould toactivatethechannelsofsupportboth at the national level and through the European Union toprovidehelp withaid.<\/p>\n Hesaidthat Italy and the Bahamashavea \"deep conviction\" tokeepclimate changeon the global agenda as no nation \"largeor small, rich orpoor\" is \"immuneto theimpactofclimate change.\"<\/p>\n And MrVarricchionotedone of his key messages toItalianswastoencouragethem tocometo the Bahamas forbusinessandtourismtohelpwith therestoration.<\/p>\n Through the Italian governmentsgrant,AnatolRodgersHigh Schoolhassolar energy which wasimplementedlastyear.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Read the rest here:<\/p>\n Romauld Ferreira: Plastics ban 'right thing to do' - Bahamas Tribune<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" By EARYEL BOWLEG ebowleg@tribunemedia.net<\/a> Minister of the Environment Romauld Ferreirainsisteditwastherightthing todo for thecountryto tackle thedependencyofplasticuse amid the public push back of the single-useplasticban. Continue reading