Greenrock: Let’s Work Together & Do Right Thing
Our sewage problems are not going to go away on their own, and hiding our heads in our pink Bermuda sand not an option, “especially when there are some strange and even disgusting things washing up onto that sand,” Greenrock said today.
The issue has been in the headlines recently following the U.S. Consulate issuing a “Security Message” entitled “Contaminated Beaches,” citing the “ongoing dumping of raw sewage off Bermuda’s south coast.”
Two weeks after that message was issued, ”greaseballs” washed up on the South Shore, with small unpleasant smelling grayish lumps scattered over beaches including Grape Bay.
Greenrock said, “News reports over the past few weeks involving raw sewage and tank water contamination have brought new focus on what are, sadly, not-so-new problems.
“The practice of dumping raw sewage just a few hundred yards off Bermuda’s pristine beaches has been in effect for generations. But for many people, both here in Bermuda and abroad, it was real news.
“Are we really dumping raw sewage, in today’s day and age, with all of the modern waste treatment options available to us?”
Lumps, which the Government said were “greaseballs”, found on Grape Bay beach last week:
Greenrock continued, “And with regard to tank contamination, are we really turning a blind eye to policing our water supply and ensuring its safety, even though we have laws in place that clearly state what should and must be done in order to protect ourselves – and our young children – from dangerous bacteria?
“These problems are not going to go away magically on their own. We need real, honest, open dialogue about what steps to take – baby steps and giant leaps alike. Running and hiding in our basements – especially when those basements are in the form of potentially contaminated water tanks – is not an option.
“Nor is hiding our heads in our pink Bermuda sand an option, especially when there are some strange and even disgusting things washing up onto that sand.
“But let’s also abandon phony political finger pointing. These problems are not OBA or PLP or UBP problems. They are Bermudian problems. They are human problems.
“Yes, it is painful and embarrassing when news of our raw sewage being dumped within sight from shore is made public, especially if it’s done as an alert to residents – aka: potential tourists – living in a nearby foreign country.
“As Bermuda’s economy, and in particular its tourist economy, struggles to regain its once stellar reputation and its much-needed prosperity, news of “greaseballs” washing ashore certainly doesn’t help.
“But there will be no tourist economy to speak of if we don’t take action now to protect Bermuda’s natural environment. More importantly, what sort of Bermuda will there be for ourselves … and our children … and their children … if we don’t do something now?
“Bermuda is not alone in struggling with these problems. There are many other places in the world, including some Caribbean island nations, that are grappling with these same issues. Some are doing real work in these areas, while others are only pretending to be doing so.
“Let’s look to the rest of the world and see how others are making real progress. What steps are they taking? Let’s learn from the ones who are doing the right thing. And let’s also avoid the practices of the pretenders.
“Then, let’s show the rest of the world that we, too, are willing to do the right thing, and that we’re willing to be honest. In the short term, it might mean that we need a system of flags on our beaches alerting bathers of potential water-borne contamination.
“But in the longer term, a comprehensive solution is required.
“And what other problems are out there now that haven’t yet made the front page or haven’t yet been the lead story on the nightly news? What other practices do we need to change in order to protect Bermuda’s natural environment and ensure safety for Bermudian residents and visitors alike?
“The sooner we bring these into the open, the sooner we’ll find solutions. As painful and expensive as it might be, let’s work together and do the right thing,” added Greenrock.
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Category: All, Environment, News
Greenrock finally ‘speaks’ up.
Was just having those conversations lately – a major environmental story hits the airways but you hear nothing from those who claim to be concerned about the environment. The statement really doesn’t say much beyond ‘let’s hold hands and work together.’ Given the length of time it has taken these groups to speak up, the response is underwhelming.
Set up and Trust and ask people to donate.
The Hospital Trust has received millions, despite promises that the hospital would pay for itself.
THIS is something I would donate money towards though…
Great Idea I agree.
“a comprehensive solution is required”
and yet no recommendations were made in this statement…
Here’s what I think should happen. An immediate, temporary fix followed by a long-term solution.
1. With immediate effect, government should put out to tender a contract to lengthen “the pipe” to, at the very least, 2 miles offshore. They also should not pump sewage (or pump less) during heavy south-easterly winds and/or swells.
2. The long-term solution would be to again, put out to tender, a contract to transform the sewage facility to a. hold more sewage, and of course, b. to treat that sewage.
If I were running the country, there would already be ads in the paper for these two big projects. My opinion at least.
BERMUDA TODAY
As you probably know I can get pretty passionate about issues and causes and doing what I believe is right for Bermuda. Of course, what Tony Brannon thinks may not dovetail with what others believe in. What I try to do however is think about what is best for Bermuda. For instance I was never a fan of Dr. Ewart F. Brown and at times felt or heard his (and others) full on wrath when I dared to speak out. But we (Ewart & Tony) created a bridge for one issue we both believed in and that was Resort Gaming for the Hotels of Bermuda. My belief is that resort gaming is an option that Bermuda needs to offer the tourism market. The government has allowed the cruise lines gaming in port and this is so unfair to our hotels. How can on island tourism compete with the cruise lines when the hotels have one hand tied behind their backs?
Alas, politics and religion have created many roadblocks to Resort Gaming over the years and indeed many other initiatives have stumbled in the face of politics & religion.
Bermuda has sold out to the cruise ships and “governments” have given them all the marbles – In port onboard entertainment at night and now casino gaming in port will kill the chances of nightlife thriving in Bermuda, especially in the Dockyard. We have a Dockyard that doesn’t even have fast ferries past 9pm in the evening yet WEDCO put on and support entertainment there. This is a mistake to not have a fast ferry service that will take people from Dockyard to Hamilton and vice versa later in the evening.
The sewer pipe issue on Seabright Avenue has finally put the focus on what Bermuda is doing (or not) and what has been going on for years. We live on a planet that seems to think the ocean is a toilet bowl. Bermuda can make lemonade out of lemons on waste, if we do the right thing. A bond issue could finance a full on treatment plant.
New taxes from Resort Gaming (when finally legalized) and other tax revenue would surely help this and other capital projects. If Marijuana was legalized in Bermuda that would be a huge tax earner for the country. Same sex couples tourism and gay marriage licenses would also generate a boon to tourism. It is being done in many countries now, and President Obama deserves credit for his leadership on this most basic of human rights. Bermuda needs to join the 21st century on these issues and give itself additional tax revenue whilst creating new jobs.
The issue of pesticides (ROUNDUP being one) has caused a silent health issue. Cancer rates in Bermuda are through the roof. A close friend said that the Lahey Clinic commented to him, “What is going on in Bermuda, you have way too many people with cancer from that small island”?
Local Insurance companies must surely be seeing the health crisis of Bermudians with cancer and the healthcare costs associated with trying to save lives? As a result we are all directly and indirectly paying more for healthcare by not addressing the pesticides issue.
I am of the opinion that the farmers of Bermuda, via their use of ROUNDUP and other toxic pesticides used on their crop fields, plus the run off of other toxins from the roads when it rains, ultimately results in the silent poisoning of people living on the island.
Any GOOGLE search on the dangers of ROUNDUP is there for all to see, and if I were the leader of Bermuda, I would immediately ban these lethal pesticides that contribute to causing cancer in humans. Besides humans, bee colony collapse disorder is significant and tree frogs, toads, amphibians are all way down in numbers. I understand a study is about to come out any day on this frightening state of affairs.
Bermuda must do something about this. The OBA/PLP must act.
EDUCATION
I became quite passionate about this issue fairly recently.
What is clear, is that this behemoth called the D.O.E. has got to be completely restructured. The visionary approach to public education in the USA by the likes of Sir Ken Robinson and Geoffrey Canada, just to name a couple, needs to be examined closely. If a country like FINLAND could bite the bullet 30/40 years ago, Bermuda must address change, albeit we are years late to the changes we should have made long ago. To continue tinkering with an old structure is failing our kids and their teachers.
To understand all the changes going on elsewhere in education follow this blog: http://ridethewavefoundation.blogspot.ca/
Folks involved in Bermuda Education would do well to enlighten themselves, as it seems too many do not want to break the mode of an obsolete last century education system !
It is my hope that people really engage in the discussion about the future of education in Bermuda as I believe education is the most important issue facing Bermuda. To fail in restructuring Bermuda’s public education is to fail our kids and ultimately Bermuda’s future.
Before it happens , I’ll tell how it will be dealt with . The sewage treatment plant will be located at the old marsh folly dump and the treated sewage will be pumped out at ducking stool . Mark my words … And the blacks will smell hell .
Past notes on issues
SEWAGE PIPE into the sea.
Cruise Ships.
Pollution in Bermuda.
Bermuda has had this little pipe off Seabright Avenue for some time(a few decades). There is also a situation near Tobacco Bay and something up in dockyard where there is some pumping of waste (what is the amount and how much is it treated?).
This notion that we can pump waste into the ocean (not fully treated) simply has to stop. Bermuda needs to be a leader, not just another country that uses the sea as a toilet bowl.
Testing and having the health department posting results every week, is simply not going to cut it in the long run. Bermuda must do better and fully treat any waste before discarding into the sea.
The cat is now out of the bag. So unless we all understand that our economic futures are at stake, no manner of PR’s and Minister Moniz waving a test sheet is going to placate the dumping of waste, unless it is fully treated. Our Bermuda paradise must be safeguarded, treasured and protected by doing all we can. Natural dangers, global warming, ozone layer depletion are one thing, but we need add fuel on the fire with man-made pollution.
CRUISE SHIPS
We need to talk to scientists at B.I.O.S. to also understand what the damage the mega ships do to our coral reefs when they are in the channel at 8 knots, wafting the silt over the reef that has the effect of creating a slow kill of the corals. I am reliably informed the scientists at B.I.O.S. do not want to speak publicly because B.I.O.S. is partly funded by the Bermuda Government. The silence cannot continue.
The Pesticides (ROUNDUP & others)
The evidence is mounting alarmingly about the serious damage these chemicals are doing to our bees, tree frogs, amphibians, corals, and humans.
Toxicology Expert Speaks Out About Roundup and GMOs
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/10/06/dr-huber-gmo-foods.aspx
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yx4UVhJcnpo#t=155
The Dangers of Glyphosphate ROUNDUP In Our Food Supply Today – Roundup is used all over Bermuda
The Horrific Truth about Roundup
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/06/09/monsanto-roundup-herbicide.aspx
The dangers of GMO
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSDEkoPwMfk
Monsanto in INDIA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Av6dx9yNiCA
GENETIC ENGINEERING
The Alarming Truths About GMOs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FkY8tKS1uo
Roundup harms Coral Reefs
http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/roundup-weed-killer-threatens-coral-reefs-persists-seawater
Roundup & Bees
http://www.motherearthnews.com/homesteading-and-livestock/roundup-bees-zm0z10zarc.aspx#axzz2zbuEFADE
The Horrific truth about ROUNDUP
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/06/09/monsanto-roundup-herbicide.aspx
THIS IS AN ISSUE WE ALL MUST FIX
THIS IS WRONG ? WHY do so many countries and people think the ocean is a toilet bowl ?
http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/04/rio-is-literally-swimming-in-poop/360860/
The Pacific Tragedy: http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/05/11/the-great-pacific-garbage-patch-poses-new-threat-to-marine-life/
Plastic pollution & the Sargasso Sea: https://vimeo.com/60393400 ( A must watch )
Whilst Bermuda is as pristine a place as you will find on planet earth that does not mean we do as others do when it comes to dumping. Bermuda must lead the way on environment. I for sure would never swim off the beaches in RIO. But I would totally swim off any of Bermuda’s beaches. Except near Hungry Bay/ Grape Bay, and even that looks fine 99% of the time. The point for me is dumping is inexcusable, disgusting and crosses the line when it comes to the environment.
I am glad to hear a proper solution for fully treating Bermuda’s sewage is being worked on and hopefully announced soon.
P.S. “Coffee”, From my understanding,the treatment plant will NOT be where you rightfully fear you think it will go.