Solutions
to coastal pollution
By
Marjorie Henry, Contributor
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| Godfrey
Stewart High School students pose
for the camera on their way home
from school. - Junior Grandison
Photo |
IN
THE last lesson which introduced coastal
pollution , the emphasis was on the
causes and effects of this problem.
We hope that the old saying is true,
that for every problem there is a solution.
For this lesson, the focus then is on
possible solutions to coastal pollution.
Your assignment was to read on the topic.
I hope you did. The recommended textbooks
for this course do have information
on this. Just how much information did
you obtain from the reading you did?
In
the last lesson it was stated that for
coastal pollution was as a result of
man's activities on the land. It follows
then that the solutions to coastal pollution
begin on the land. In short, a healthy
coastal environment is dependent on
what is done on the land. The solution
to coastal pollution advertises itself
according to the problem. Let us take
each problem highlighted in the last
lesson.
1.
Nutrient Pollution:
Sewerage contributes to increase supply
of nutrients in the sea. Sewerage
treatment plants at the tertiary level
can alleviate this problem. Once these
are functioning properly, they do
not allow nutrients to enter the environment.
The sewerage and domestic wash water
should be taken away from homes in
pipes to the plants. The use of pit
toilets and soak-away pits should
be discontinued. Farmers could be
encouraged to lessen their use of
inorganic chemical fertiliser and
to increase their use of organic fertiliser.
2.
Sedimentation: Bad farming practises
that lead to soil erosion cause an
increase in sediments. Farmers should
be encouraged to practise sound farming
methods including soil conservation
to reduce soil erosion. Deforestation
should be reduced. Stricter control
measures should be enforced on construction
sites.
3.
Chemical Spills:
These often occur through carelessness.
If proper procedures were followed
at the ports and at sea, fewer spills
would occur. Heavy fines should be
imposed for oil and chemical spills.
If there is no punishment or a small
punishment, no care will be taken
to follow proper procedures.
4.
Industrial Pollution:
Government should set appropriate
discharge standards and enforce them.
Companies should be compelled to obey
discharge standards set by Government
or be shut down. Unfortunately, these
are often ignored.
5.
Heat Pollution:
Industries should cool down the hot
effluent before sending it to the
sea.
6.
Solid Waste: Illegal
dumping of garbage should be prevented
by public education and enforcement.
This also means that the collection
of garbage by municipal authorities
needs to be more widespread and frequent.
These companies, that use packaging
in their products which create a lot
of domestic garbage, should be required
to pay for garbage collection.
Generally
speaking, people need to be aware
of the consequences of coastal pollution,
hence the need for education. Action
on the part of the government is also
required. Not only should they have
laws to prevent pollution of the coast
but also these laws must be properly
enforced. If they are not, then the
laws and the government will be ineffective.
Is
coastal pollution evident in Jamaica
and /or the Caribbean? Can you give
specific examples? How is the problem
being addressed? Continue to read
on the topic especially if you are
unable to answer these questions.
*
Marjorie Henry is Geography teacher
at Glenmuir High School in Clarendon.
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