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Pollute today, regret tomorrow
The air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we consume come from vulnerable resources. And these limited resources are getting degraded day and day. Statistics Mauritius recently released its annual report on environment pollution in the island.
Here are some of the highlights:
- Forest area has decreased by 35 hectares between 2012 and 2013 at 47108 hectares.
- Sugarcane cultivation is down by 0.5% between 12-13 at 45130 hectares.
- Rise in import of pesticides went up by 7.7 percent from 2029 tonnes to 2189 tonnes.
- CO2 emissions are at 3543 tonnes in 2013, having increased by 2.6% YoY.
- Water utilisation has increased by 11%.
- Solid waste generation shows a jump of 10.8% at the landfill of Mare Chicose.
- In 2013, coal was the main fuel to produce electricity with a share of 52.8%, an increase by 4.5 %. Use of petroleum products also increased by 9%.
Environmental engineer Vassen Kauppaymuthoo talks of the overall perception that is currently prevalent among the people. There is this grouse that we are becoming more and more 'concrete', and we have fewer public spaces likes gardens and parks. He says,"Why are these figures still so bad? Everything we do today has a impact on years on the future generation. Measures taken have had no impact whatsoever, and Maurice Ile Durable has not really shown any results. It's high time to change".
Reduction in the ground water table due to construction, increase in emissions from the energy sector, poor fuel quality by commercial vehicles are issues that need to be addressed with a renewed focus.
Historian and environmentalist Adi Teeluck says the issue is more about sustainability, and that we should be seriously concerned about the rapid loss of our 'natural assets'. They are irreplaceable, and quick-fix expensive remedies are not the solution. She adds that,"We can say that some 10-20 years ago, we didn't know what the consequences of our actions would be. However, we can no longer say this today; if we are to act responsibly then we must not repeat what we now know were mistakes."
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