Fellow Tobagonians, as is customary, Tobago joins the global community in commemorating World Environment Day on June 5^th each year. This is a day when countries, cities, towns, villages, interest groups, households and individuals, in solidarity with each other, reflect on the health of our planet and renew our commitment to conserving it for the benefit of current and future generations.

The theme for World Environment Day 2025 is, “Ending Global Plastic Pollution.” It points to the reputational evolution of plastics from a resource valued for its versatility and convenience to one of the most pervasive and persistent pollutants on earth. On account of inadequate management, plastics are compromising the integrity of our terrestrial and marine ecosystems, driving biodiversity loss, impacting food and water safety and compromising human health and wellbeing.

According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), It is estimated that over 460 million metric tonnes of plastic is generated on an annual basis, globally. Much of it ends up in our rivers, oceans, and landscapes through indiscriminate disposal. Consequently, turtles and other marine animals get entangled in discarded fishing nets, birds and fishes ingest plastic fragments, microplastics and nanoplastics, infiltrate our food and water with devastating health impacts and ultimately our socioeconomic wellbeing is negatively impacted.

The challenges associated with plastic pollution appear insurmountable to many. However, we should be encouraged by the fact that there is a consistently growing global constituency acting in solidarity to address the challenges, while there have been significant technological and other developments that are being brought to bear upon the issue. Globally, action is being taken at all levels to address the challenge and in this regard, Tobago is no different. However, there is always more that we can do.

It is in this context that the Office Chief Secretary (OCS), in response to public concerns, has increased efforts to address the management of end-of-life vehicles which feature significant amounts of plastic and other components. The THA is also in the process of rolling out a programme to provide households across the island with reuseable shopping bags in an attempt to catalyse the process of phasing out single-use plastics.  Finally, the THA in recognition of the enthusiastic public participation in recent recycling pilot initiatives, is redoubling its efforts to establish a materials recovery facility at Cove Eco-Industrial Estate in collaboration with private partners to facilitate the continuous recycling of plastics and other materials in a more appropriate setting.

As a people, Tobagonians have always valued community, tradition, and respect for the environment on which we depend for our socioeconomic wellbeing. Now is the time to renew those values in a modern context. As individuals and communities there are simple but effective things we can do to address the plastic challenge. I encourage each of us to refuse single-use plastics whenever possible, support local businesses that offer eco-friendly alternatives, organise and/or participate in community cleanups, build awareness among our children and communities about the importance of protecting our environment and hold ourselves and our leaders accountable for policies that reduce plastic waste and improve waste management across our island.

As we aspire to make Tobago the “greatest little island on the planet”, let us remember that when we choose to conserve our environment, we are safeguarding not just our natural heritage, but our economy, our health, and the generations to come. Let us pledge to collectively care for our environment, so that it will continue to care for us as we aspire to create a cleaner, greener, and plastic-free future.

Happy World Environment Day 2025.