The Caribbean is made up of a beautiful series of tropical islands. I grew up there. No matter where I am located physically in this world, for me, the Caribbean is home.
Over the years, its natural beauty has been affected by the arrival of major corporations. Local residents complain but their voices are not heard vis-a-vis the loud shouts and deep pockets of the corporations. One such corporation is Hess Oil on the island of St. Croix.
For most who pump petrol in their cars every day, the process a necessary means to an end. Many are guided, especially in this difficult economy, by the price tag. What becomes an economical deal for some translates into further complications to others, like the locals on the island.
In the still of the night, when darkness is at its strongest, while residents sleep soundly, the flue opens without forewarning. Out of the chimney stack bellows thick, black smoke with the most noxious fumes. Locals who live downwind are startled from their sleep. They jump out of bed and rush to close their windows because fresh air is no longer. Headaches, migraines, sicknesses like cancer develop in their bodies with every breath they take.
Supply and demand. The more petrol pumped at the gas stations, the more oil Hess must refine to keep up with the demand. Deterioration of the quality of life of the locals has become acceptable 'collateral damage'. Although they lift their collective voices to complain to governmental rulers, there has been little to no response.
This is a day in the life of residents on St. Croix, United States Virgin Islands.
*For more information, review this 1999 Washington Post article. Since then, the situation has gotten worse but who will raise their voice to help them?
9 comments:
this is sad to discover. i will click on the article.
xo
Modern life. I love the Caribbean too -- so much beauty (I've been to Barbados and Martinique)...and yet as you say, supply and demand means that the natural beauty and the clean air are suffering because of the petrol. Worse than that is that people are suffering -- you know this will reap illness/disease/reduced quality of life. What we "want" or "need" quite often comes at a price.
Corporations play by their own rules...quite often so do governments. What will it take before change is put into effect?
Collectively the residents of St. Croix and we, the people who can raise our voices. It only takes one person to drive a train full of loaded carts of people! It's a crying shame!!!
P.S. Thank you for bringing this crime to light!
It is terrible how such crimes persist... I'm off to read that article. Thank you for always bringing the important to light, Se'Lah ((HUGS))
Oh, my. What we do to our bodies and our planet for profit...greed.
I hate pollution! I wish people would see what greed does to the gorgeous earth. Hmmmm....let's continue the fight.
This is terrible. I'm going over to read the article.
That bites! I didn't know.
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