Republic of Mauritius- The environmentally conscious young generation will help save the planet, says Minister Sinatambou

The Minister of Social Security, National Solidarity, and Environment and Sustainable Development, Mr Etienne Ghislain Sinatambou, made this statement, this morning, during an award ceremony held at the Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre in Port-Louis, to reward the winners of a debate competition, organised by the Ministry. The winning team, Le Bocage International School, and the first runner-up, Beekrumsing Ramlallah State Secondary School, received respectively cheques of Rs 50 000 and Rs 30,000.

The competition, which focused on the theme ‘Sustainable Cities are the solution to Air Pollution’, saw the participation of 43 teams consisting of Grade 12 students and was organised in the context of the World Environment Day 2019. The aim was to raise awareness among students on environmental issues, in line with this year’s theme which is Air Pollution.

In his address, Minister Etienne Ghislain Sinatambou highlighted that the World Environment Day is an opportune time to raise awareness as environmental issues and their negative impacts on planet Earth.  He observed that last year’s theme focused on Plastic pollution while this year’s theme sheds light on air pollution, which are the worst types of pollution. He emphasised that activities such as the debate competition are crucial to encourage youths to ponder, understand and act as regards environmental challenges.

Figures, said the Minister, indicate the alarming trend of pollution resulting from man-related activities. He pointed out that some 8.4 million people around the world die each year as a consequence of the adverse effects of air pollution, while some 8.5 million tons of plastic waste are dumped in the ocean each year. He deplored that in Mauritius itself, some 100 million bottle of plastics are used each year.

On that score, Minister Sinatambou underpinned the urgent need to raise awareness among everyone regarding the devastating impacts of pollutions that will provoke unprecedented global destruction and threaten the survival of the planet and humanity. He observed that mankind is not enough exposed to the alarming situation as they keep on indulging in man-related activities that are exacerbating environmental challenges.