The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

A few months ago, a letter was signed by more than 16,000 supporting scientists around the world. Essentially, the letter says that if there is not a groundswell of public pressure to change human behaviour, the planet will sustain “substantial and irreversible harm”. The urgent necessity for action by the human species has never been greater.

Never before in history have humans danced so close to the brink of wiping out most of life on earth.

It is not just an event. It is a series of events, which have already begun. Some of our brightest say there is still time. Still time to save life on earth. These are sobering thoughts.

Foremost, what is required is a radical change in our thinking. What could be more difficult? How we achieve this I cannot say.

This issue should be front and centre for every newspaper on earth.

The science supports what those paying attention have witnessed for the past 50 years.

That the life support systems of our earth are collapsing.

The number and size of “dead zones” in our oceans are increasing.

The sea surface temperatures of the oceans are increasing, beyond the ability of organisms to adapt, especially coral reefs.

Sea level is rising, perhaps faster than previously predicted.

Ocean acidification is also occurring more rapidly than most organisms can adapt to. Shells cannot form with an elevated acidity.

We have fished 90% of the big fish from our oceans.

We are moving further down the food chain, essentially vacuuming up every living creature in the sea.

On land, things are as bad, or worse. Gone are the intact forests, along with an array of our fellow species.

The bees are dying. Fresh water is being depleted and polluted.

The air is polluted.

We in The Bahamas are not special.

We are in this together with the rest of the world.

That is why it is incumbent upon us to seize the day and begin to think like smart people.

Drilling for oil in our pristine waters is not smart.

Building an oil refinery in Freeport is not smart.

The people of The Bahamas need to speak out on these stupid ideas.

The money men and the daft politicians say our struggling nation needs these projects to bring jobs and prosperity to our shores.

These are lies. Do your homework.

We need to be realistic and see these snake oil salesmen for who they are and to help try and educate our politicians to the real wealth this country holds.

The wealth that is being risked by these oil ventures.

The Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of the Environment, the Bahamas National Trust, all need to loudly speak out against these proposed projects. Why the silence?

I am asking for all right-minded Bahamians to come together, to offer suggestions and strategies on how to stop this madness.

Drilling for oil in Bahamian waters and building a refinery on Bahamian soil are two of the most stupid things conceivable.

And yet, a bunch of guys in suits are telling us this is good for The Bahamas.

For God’s sake, wake up and smell the coffee.

Do we remain mired in stupid thinking, or do we do the right thing and move our country into a prosperous future for our children, and their children?

I am asking Bahamians to take 5 minutes to write or call, voicing their opposition to these ill-fated projects.

Where are our “leaders” and concerned citizens?

NORMAN TRABULSY Jr

Nassau,

May 6, 2018.