I’m sure many are familiar with this phrase. It’s found in countless stores, and it’s the stores way to encourage customers responsibility. You’d like to think that this theory would also apply for our oceans. If we damage the oceans, we should be responsible for fixing them.
Put Nature above the Dollar
We are just a couple of weeks away from the year 2010 and I understanding that the general population of Bonaire still carries that same old philosophy where economy has to be fed by nature. People still believe that tourism is the subject that values nature and gives the necessity to protect the environment. For centuries they where right, value nature for its importance for the economy.
But we broke an agreement, nature would take care of the economy and the economy would take care of nature.
Bonaire was an excellent example starting with its marine park, the ban on spear fishing, putting out moorings to protect the reef, turtle foundation, no diving zones and no fishing zones but times have changed and we are encountering a rapid decrease in the quality of our natural recourses with proof of irresponsible abuse and pollution by the islands capitalism. Still there is no waste water plant in place, still we are excavating our coastline, cutting down trees, selling our international waters to fisheries, we still believe in cruise ship tourism and we enrich the rich.
Nature was here long ago even before man, nature was a gift, we didn't have to do anything for it and we never had to pay for it!
So why do we need all these funds to protect it? Who are they who believe that we need tourism to value nature? Do we need money to pay off the greedy people who otherwise will destroy it? Maybe we are just to late and we need money from tourism to heal the already damaged and to educate the community who even today are ignorant of the beauty and value that nature caries as a natural wonder.
BICEPS
Firstly, let me tell you what BICEPS is not! We are not here to take the place of any existing foundation or N.G.O., and one of our first objectives is to help and assist those groups that have already found their place. BICEPS is here to lend an arm to efforts being made, and efforts that need to be made, to save the environment of this little island. We see our role as being a flexible-focus body that can react quickly and effectively to anything which endangers the Bonairean environment, both at sea and on land. So two of our most important roles will be those of watchdog, to keep a careful eye on anything that we see as harmful, and whistle blower, to alert the people as to what is being done behind their backs.
BICEPS has no political agenda and will not align itself with any political party, or accept politically tainted funding, however one of our goals is to help the government to make the right informed decisions when dealing with matters environmental, so we will be striving to provide rational and workable advice to address the many problems this island faces. In this regard we will be recruiting members and advisors who have expertise in all areas relating to the environment, so we cn talk with authority on any issue.
Whilst membership is not limited to either residents or the islands people who are Bonairean nationals, the latter mentioned will hopefully make up the majority of our active members and will also be a substantial part of the directorship.
To join BICEPS in our drive to stop Bonaire becoming an environmental disaster zone, and to become either a supportive member, or to take an active part in our campaigns, e-mail me.
Do you have an environmental story needed to be told, contact me.
Anny environmental issue, Bonaire Vision Films will sponsor you and launch your message into public.
Published on May 8, 2014
Need to know:
- A Cultural Heritage: Dr. Dallen Timothy: "protecting the donkey population is in alignment with the goals of UNESCO in its efforts to protect natural and human heritage".
- Bonaire government never produced a scientific document on our donkey population.
- Donkeys possess post gastric digestive system different than ruminants [goats]; food not as broken down;feed, or nourish, the ecosystem, starting with critically important soils whose micro-organisms, insects, etc., derive more sustenance from donkey feces, precisely because they are not as degraded; re-seeders.
- Donkey feces as contributor to more humus soil making the soil more water- retentive, thus elevating water tables; humus rich soils.
- Connection to the Critically Endangered Nubian Ass.
- Donkeys fitting into the ecosystem as it has developed during the approx. 500 years
- There are no official numbers of car accidents available.
Facts and statistical studies will help to identify 'problem zones' to make roads safer for humans and animals alike
- A professional recommendation to the Island Council is needed to cancel the announced eradication plan and in-stead call for an in-depth study for field observations and genetic analysis
- Studies done by objective biologists who come without a negative predisposition as concerns the donkey or relation to life in community.
- Solutions to deal with current situations: immediately repair the wells and reservoirs to encourage donkeys in the wild areas, semi-permeable barriers excluding donkeys from certain areas; Streiter-lite Light Reflectors prevent donkeys, humans, other species from being hit by cars; other Island Specific Reserve Design to include rather than exclude them.
The elimination contract for the donkeys needs to be cancelled - even after the end date of the contract, the stallions that are found in the wild are to be immediately castrated and the mares and foals that are found are to be caught immediately and taken captive. This is eradication.
For questions and information:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.