It was encouraging to read in last Sunday Guardian that the government is "moving apace to introduce clean technology in the country's public transport system".
One initiative calls for the procurement of clean public transport technology. While I applaud this initiative and believe that it is moving in the right direction, I believe that it is missing the mark at least in one very important way. I stand to be corrected but I suspect that the amount of pollution originating from private vehicles far exceeds that from public vehicles. At any time of day or night it is not difficult to see a vehicle that is stationary and idling for long periods of time.
One quick and easy way to educate the public and help the transition from this particular polluting behaviour is to institute a no-idling policy at all government buildings, banks, parking lots etc, with a simple sign, which not only states the rule but also explains why it is in place.
As with all changes, public education is key and the Government has to be proactive if it is to achieve timely and meaningful results. Ongoing public service announcements, school talks, getting the police service and the public to engage in this effort that is key to our health and well, being will be required.
Another forum for these announcements is the fast ferry, which has a captive audience and hundreds of people using it everyday. Right now, the ferry has been showing the same programme about transporting drugs for years. This can be changed to anti-pollution announcements.Time is of the essence and quick actions and results are required. Let's all get on board to clean up our island and do our part in saving our planet.
Jenny Baboolal,
via e-mail