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Issue
No.5 Summer 2001
Protecting
the Environment
by
Owen O'Neill
Rubbish, or the disposal of it, has become a
major issue in any society today. How it is disposed of is a matter that
is now the concern of governments where once it was seen only the concern
of environmentalists and ecologists. The current debate on the use of
incinerators will be the focus on many party political agendas in any
forth coming elections. Communities are organising events to debate and
highlight this issue. The fact is that it should be the concern of everyone
who cares about clean and healthy environments whether urban or rural.
It is the concern of everyone who cares about life.
The arbitrary dumping of rubbish, particularly
in areas of outstanding natural beauty or indeed, along the road sides
raises the hackles of everyone who takes pride in their natural and environmental
heritage. Illegal dumping incurs heavy penalties and fines up to £5,000
but even this does not always deter. Eco-systems and natural habitats
which have evolved over many years, indeed, centuries, are constantly
and seriously threatened by pollution and contamination from which they
may never recover. There are many examples that have been highlighted
in the media recently and itıs the same problem no matter what part of
the island you inhabit. The fact is that disposable commodities are simply
the ebb and flow of today's consumer society. The ubiquitous plastic bag
has become a feature on the urban and rural landscape, on the hedgerows
and in fields, on streets and open air drinking dens. Farmers will tell
you about animals choking to death having swallowed a plastic bag.
People are calling for tougher penalties and there is a growing demand
that those responsible should be sent to prison. Unfortunately in many
cases a fine is imposed for what amounts to wanton criminal damage caused
by individuals and companies.
The impact on local eco-systems, especially where
there has been a spillage of industrial or agricultural effluent into
rivers has been devestating. It has caused untold destruction to fish
stocks, to water systems and contaminated many acres of farm land.
There's nothing as bad or evokes anger and condemnation than the sight
of burnt out cars, piles of domestic or industrial rubbish, ubiquitous
mushroom tips, non-perishable plastic bags and bottles, aerosol cans,
mattresses and old furniture dumped and discarded usually on the outskirts
of urban settlements.
Other countries have much tougher legislation
dealing with litter in an effort to keep the country clean. Visitors to
Ireland invariably remark about its natural beauty and its greenness but
when they see beautiful landscapes scarred or tainted by rubbish heaps
and burnt out rusting vehicles they can't believe that such wanton negligence
is tolerated. The most effective action to stop or at least curtail this
is for people in whatever locale it is happening to decide and pursue
an effective course of action and work together with the relevant local
authorities.
Education and awareness programmes are useful
as are public signposts issuing warnings of fixed penalties. One other
method would be to provided free access to designated dumping areas away
from inhabited areas or roads. At least dumping regulations and a monitoring
system could be imposed. If continued criminal negligence continues as
undoubtedly it will, then obviously legislation is not working. Therefore
it is obvious that attitudes need to be changed.
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