It is with great surprise that the board of the St. Maarten Pride Foundation read of Member of Parliament Jules James' participation in a recent Parlatino Environment and Tourism Affairs Committee meeting in El Salvador. While it has almost been a full year since St. Maarten obtained country status, our Parliamentarians have yet to meet with St. Maarten's environmental organizations and have not yet submitted any motions or draft laws in favor of environmental or natural heritage protection.
The Foundation wonders how anyone could claim to credibly represent St. Maarten at a conference or meeting regarding the environment without first informing themselves of what the issues are by consulting with the island's environmental experts.
James' press release refers to Climate Change. It seems that the loss of Glaciers in Latin America concerns the Parliamentarian, rightfully so, but perhaps it would better serve St. Maarten's interests if the good Parliamentarian would focus on the loss of ponds on St. Maarten and make every effort to protect the 5 (out of the once 19) we have left. St. Maarten's Parliamentarians can actively contribute to curbing the onslaught and effects of Climate Change by thinking globally and acting locally; through protecting St. Maarten's Ponds, Hills, Beaches, Coral Reefs, Flora and Fauna and by taking much needed action to resolve solid waste and sewage management issues.
St. Maarten Pride Foundation encourages Parliament to meet with local stakeholders but is not impressed by James' recent spate of lip-service, much has been said by St. Maarten's Politicians regarding the need to protect the environment over the years but very little has been done. Parliament needs to take decisive action; to submit and pass motions ensuring the drafting, implementation and enforcement of environmental legislation, to establish protected areas and include natural heritage education in the School curriculum.
Pride Foundation is available to meet with Parliament to discuss the environmental challenges the island faces. Until such a meeting has taken place St. Maarten's parliamentarians have no credibility when it comes to addressing environmental issues and their trips to Parlatino meetings on the environment are nothing more than leisurely excursions made at the Taxpayers' expense.
Rueben J. Thompson
Vice-President
St. Maarten Pride Foundation
