Statement on the Observation of World Ocean Day and World Environment Day

This week marks the observance of World Environment Day on June 5th, and World Ocean Day on June 8th.

World Environment Day was observed under the theme: "Beat Plastic Pollution".

Since 1974, this day has been set aside to promote worldwide awareness and a call for action to protect our environment.

While World Ocean Day is being celebrated under the theme: "Preventing plastic pollution and encouraging solutions for a healthy ocean."

Both themes speaks to the need for us to recognize the urgent requirement to set measures in place to manage plastics and plastic related materials from getting into our ghauts and waterways that can lead to our oceans.

In highlighting the significance of the observation to Montserrat; we must reflect on our journey from 1995 to 2010 and the tremendous influence it had on life as we knew it. Indeed, drastic measures must be taken now to evade any future negative repercussions degradation of our environment can have on our lives.

An urgent call must be made for more inclusion into our school's curriculum, subject areas on the environment and ocean management. It is crucial for us to get our children and young people involved in the process of preserving some of our most valuable resources.

As we enjoy this paradise Montserrat, it will take holistic effort by all to keep this paradise beautiful not just for us but for future generations.

In my roles as Outreach Officer for Blue Halo and Government of Montserrat's Experimental Fish Trap Project, and also Montserrat's National Focal Point for Caribbean Youth Environmental Network, I urge us all to do our part notwithstanding how small, to protect our environment, whatever it may be, it can make a difference.

Happy World Environment Day and Happy World Ocean day to us all.
--
Dwight M. Sampson
Outreach Officer
Blue Halo Experimental Fish Trap Project.