Saxakali Magazine 1:1 Earth Crisis

Saxakali Magazine V1N1
Environmental Issues:

As casual observers of current political, social and economic conditions, we have witnessed the inter-related issues of power, race and and equity in the U.S. and Caribbean. How does power relate to equal opportunity for all ethnic groups? How does power relate to racism and discrimination, to unequal schooling and occupational choices in America, and in the Caribbean?

We have witnessed the collapse of the U.S.S.R. and socialism, the renunification of Germany and the rise of ethnic violence in India, Eastern Europe, Isreal, and the Middle East. We have witnessed the release of Nelson Mandala and the promise of freedom for all South Africans. We have also witnessed the social and economic devestation of Somalia.

How, as young adults, do we respond to these challenges? How can our world keep up with these changes? Who are the parties that benefit from this world's inequality and disorder, from ethnic cleansing and religious wars? Which race, class and gender of the population are being killed? How has the increase of violence impacted upon women and children, in inner-city gettos and village communities?

The world's national "leaders" advocate capitalist development as a way out of these problems. We question development for whom? Who benefit and who loses as a result of development projects? If capitalism is to become the main priority for Caribbean leaders, who will benefit from the exploitation of the region's resources - the lower-class or the entrenched elites? Should the people of the Caribbean follow the same path of Western development, inheriting its problems of pollution and environmental distruction of natural forests, rivers, beaches, etc.?

In the Caribbean, as in other parts of the world, women who depend on natural resources for fulfillment of daily survival needs - food, firewood, and water - are the ones who bear the brunt of national development efforts. By polluting and exhausting remaining supplies of natural resources, the future existence of young Caribbean children, and the quality of their lives, are sacrificed to serve the short-term interests of multi-nationals and their shareholders.

This article raises a lot of questions in the hope that they will start a discussion by all those influenced by, and interested in, these issues. We invite our readers to consider these issues seriously and join us in a committment to act in ways that serve to protect and conserve the world's species and plants, rather than use these precious living entities as inputs for economic development and profits for a few. Please address your comments and passion to help us work cooperatively to act before its too late in Guyana, and in the Caribbean.

Saxakali Development Alternatives for Caribbean

Eco-Culture

Foster harmony between people and nature; to protect and conserve each other.

Creating sustainable retirement communities in the Caribbean for overseas-based Caribbean communities, emphasizing organic living and farming, using alternative eco- technologies, etc.

Organizing a yearly (end of August) Walter Rodney Cultural Summer Festival in Georgetown, Guyana.

Eco-nomics

Combining locally based customs and knowledge with alternative eco-technology in development:

Research into indigenous science and technology

Using technologies like windmill, solar energy

Eco-based tourism to promote Caribbean as the ecological mecca of the world.

Eco-Politics

Empowering communities to have local autonomy over their environment.

Passing laws that will hold elected state agents legally responsibility for conserving tropical and marine habitats for use by future generations of Caribbean communities.

Supportative ofaremigration scheme.

Eco-Education

Using mass media to give local communities the information necessary to make decisions that affect their future.

Fostering skills to develop and use alternative, environmentally sound, small scale technologies.

Promoting multi-cultural curriculums.

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