Consider our people

by Adrian Joseph, DBA

Each generation holds a fundamental responsibility to improve our Grenada, acting as stewards of the society and environment for future generations.

This involves people-centred development through innovation, securing human rights, ensuring environmental sustainability, and learning to manage complex, rapidly changing social structures.

Development must not come at the expense of the health, safety, environment, and economic wellbeing of the people. Currently, residents of Beausejour and surrounding communities are being ignored in their appeals for the Government to recognise the need for adherence to proper planning regulations, community consultations and environmental stewardship. The location of the Rayneau Group of Companies’ asphalt facility raises serious concerns. It is situated within a populated residential area and in close proximity to key community institutions, including a playing field approximately 143 metres away, a pre-primary school within 300 metres, a secondary school within 500 metres, and an SDA Church approximately 151 metres away. Additionally, a river lies within 100 metres of the site, creating a significant risk of chemical runoff and water pollution.

One should also be worried that Rayneau’s industrial activities have not already triggered an environmental disaster and related health distress, particularly among the elderly, children, and those living with underlying health conditions. The problem is that we sometimes only recognise the negative impact when it is much too late. Yet, some are comfortable to turn a blind eye and suggest excuses that are stuck in outdated thinking.  While there is little we can do about the past, we must act with a sense of duty for a better Grenada. We should approach the future doing better for each and every Grenadian, regardless of their assumed political persuasion or socio-economic background. We all deserve a clean and healthy environment.

The socio-environmental challenge brought on by Rayneau’s industrial plant should not be met with disregard nor a state of neglect for the many affected communities. Lest we find ourselves at odds with our own national laws and our international obligations that we have signed unto. Undoubtedly, there is a case to be made against our contravening our laws and international obligations. There are a multiplicity of international human rights and environmental instruments that essentially suggest that there is a positive duty to protect public health and prevent environmental harm. For example, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, of which we are signatories to, where our state is required to uphold the right to the highest attainable standard of health, which has been authoritatively interpreted to include protection from environmental hazards such as air pollution and toxic exposure. Similarly, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights guarantees the right to life, which has evolved in international jurisprudence to encompass protection against life-threatening environmental conditions. Moreover, the recognition by the United Nations Human Rights Council of the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment further strengthens our obligation.

These human rights duties are reinforced by environmental agreements such as the Basel Convention and the Stockholm Convention, among others, all of which require States to regulate waste, limit toxic emissions, and prevent harm to human health and the environment. Clearly, the continuous toxic emissions, which are potentially harming human health and the environment, do not conform to our obligations under these conventions.

The attendant problem is that our interventions globally must also be premised upon local moral leadership to “walk the talk” at home. As such, we should no longer accept violations such as Rayneau’s asphalt plant and other mining activities proceeding without the requisite Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA). An ESIA is mandated by our legislation, in order to provide an understanding of the matters affecting the environment and residents, meaningful stakeholder engagements and mitigation actions to protect the impacted communities. While the ESIA may not be the only consideration, it should be an integral part of the consideration of the planning and development agencies. Thus, Rayneau and other developers should be strongly prevented from wanton disregard of the relevant ESIA requirements. The resultant consequences for communities and the environment can be profound.

The current situation raises deeper questions about leadership and accountability. It also raises concerns about whether our leadership is true at home or just grand speeches abroad. Time and time again, our ministers stand on the international stage and proffer positions about the urgency of climate change and existential climate harm, then at home, those words ring hollow when the reality in our Grenadian communities reflects neglect, weak enforcement, and a failure to properly manage environmental and public health risks.

It takes a village to raise a child, but it may also take a village to raise our country. In this moment, that village includes all of us, and we must stand together with the residents breathing the nauseating air, the parents worried about their children’s health, and the citizens who believe that our communities deserve better. Our health, our environment, and the future of our communities for generations to come are at stake if we remain silent instead of demanding justice. We must take immediate action to review and reconsider the continued operation of the Rayneau facility at its current location.

This issue is not about opposing development but about insisting that development be responsible, lawful and consistent with the health and dignity that our community demands. I am calling for an immediate suspension of activities at the Rayneau industrial plants pending a full environmental, public health and regulatory assessment. No person should have to endure an illegal disregard for their health and wellbeing, left distressed and wondering what they are breathing in every day.