By EARYEL BOWLEG

ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

Minister of the Environment Romauld Ferreirainsisteditwastherightthing todo for thecountryto tackle thedependencyofplasticuse amid the public push back of the single-useplasticban.

Hegaveremarks on Fridayat the "Tackling Climate Change:WhatItaly& the European Union Are Doing toHelpforumhostedby the University of The Bahamas Climate Change Adaptation & Resilience Research Centre inpartnershipwith the Embassy ofItaly.

Mr Ferreirawarnedof thedeadlyeffects thatplasticshad notonlyon theenvironmentbut onpeopleshealth.

Heexplained:We cannottalkabout renewable energy,reducingourrelianceon fossil fuel without tackling ourdependenceonplasticsbecause itcomesfromthatandthe otherbigissue withplasticsisthattheyall break down to microplastics.Theyall end up in theoceanandwereon atrajectorytohavemoreplasticsin theoceanthan fish.

The Minister described how this affected The Bahamas: Andthisisa localproblemas well because many ofusseemtothinkthattheseproblemsexist somewhere else out thereandtheydont affectus.Thereve beennumerousstudies thathaveshownthatmicroplasticsarein thefishthatweeatandthatweconsume.Seeingthatwehavesome of the highest cancer rates in theworld, thisistherightthing todo.

The 25 cent fee for plastic bags has been controversial, with Super Value Owner Rupert Roberts recently telling The Tribune that customers are disgruntled by the move.

The guest speakerat Fridays event wasthe Italian Ambassador ArmandoVarricchiowho listedinitiatives that have been taken in Italy includingbecomingthe firstcountrytomakelessonsin climate change compulsory inschools.

And it Europe at large, the newEuropeanCommission'sEuropeanGreen Dealaimstoachieveno net emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050.

MrVarricchiospoke about theassistanceItalyhasgivento the Bahamas after Hurricane Dorian.

He said his fellow Italians were "deeplytouched" by the tragic event but also "inspired by theresilienceof the Bahamian people."

Italy and the Bahamasenjoylong-standing diplomatic relations and astrongfriendship, the ambassador said. Soweworked as hard aswecould toactivatethechannelsofsupportboth at the national level and through the European Union toprovidehelp withaid.

Hesaidthat Italy and the Bahamashavea "deep conviction" tokeepclimate changeon the global agenda as no nation "largeor small, rich orpoor" is "immuneto theimpactofclimate change."

And MrVarricchionotedone of his key messages toItalianswastoencouragethem tocometo the Bahamas forbusinessandtourismtohelpwith therestoration.

Through the Italian governmentsgrant,AnatolRodgersHigh Schoolhassolar energy which wasimplementedlastyear.

Read the rest here:

Romauld Ferreira: Plastics ban 'right thing to do' - Bahamas Tribune