Last week I was honored to be the Lunchtime speaker at Barry University’s Global Warming Conference. The theme of my presentation was ” Haiti’s Environmental Tragedy”.
Aerial view of the border between Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
My message was that those at the lowest end of the socio-economic levels are the ones who will be affected the most. This hurricane season was a ferocious one for Haiti. The entire island was affected from West to East and North to South. Because all four hurricanes that hit Haiti were mostly a rain events, mudslides and the lost of life was very high. The muslides are the result of Haiti’t almost totally denuded mountains. For years (18 years) Operation Green Leaves’ message has been that restoring Haiti’s environment should be a top priority. Now, we are seing the wisdom in the warning.
The Global Warming conference was very well attended. I asked everyone present to help me spread the message that “we must be prepared by the next Hurricane season.” We need to take preventive measures that include increasing reforestation nationwide, building necessary infrastructure and providing basic services in the 5 major cities, at a minimum. The Goverment of Haiti, and the elected officials, must plan NOW! They must take steps to diminish the outrageous lost of life we saw this year.
Reforestation must be a NATIONAL PRIORITY in Haiti.
In 2004 after witnessing the death toll and destruction in Haiti when Tropical Storm Jeanne hit, we were sad and all sectors of the international community made promises to be ready, and make changes, to reduce the lost of life the next time. Four years later, with the increase of Global Warming, we had one of the most dangerous and vicious hurricane seasons on record. We are crying AGAIN. We are saddened AGAIN. The pictures of a totally ravaged Haiti were spread on the internet. But, that was months ago. What is being done, TODAY?
I am hoping we will learn, this time. I am hoping the responsible authorities and agencies in Haiti will start preparing NOW. I asked everyone in the audience to help me give voice to the voiceless, hope to the hopeless. Love to the children.
Haitian Nationals and friends of Haiti must pressure the Haitian government and those in charge to provide the basic needs and infrastructure to the people of Haiti, so next time fewer lives will be lost.
