30451: Scheerhorn (reply) Re: 30444 Durban's response to USA - Haiti env report (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Lynn Scheerhorn, lscheerhorn@ohiocitizen.org


I am encouraged that these first steps have been taken to address what we both 
agree are obvious problems.  In order for any action to take place, it must 
first be studied, and organized and a real plan made.  Haiti has long known it 
has problems, but it seems like they have never been viewed in the whole 
before.

I have just returned from Haiti last week.  I was there for 3 weeks doing 
medical and dental mission trips.   While there I heard discussion about some 
of these problems, but there was always an attitude of:  "I am in Les Cayes, I 
don't care about Port-au-Prince or Gonaives", etc.

I am an environmentalist, and these issues have long been on my heart.  It has 
been perplexing to me where to begin to address these issues.  It seemed as if 
the nature of the Haitian people is so entrenched in the day to day living, 
that they have never been able to think far enough ahead to plan for the 
future.  Putting food in their bellys is the work of the day, not planting 
trees for the future of Haiti.

I find great satisfaction that someone has finally looked at the big picture, 
and begun the process to plan for Haiti's future.  I am a firm believer that 
the environmental problems are at the root of all of Haiti's problems.  Poor 
drinking water, deforestation, lack of enough natural resources to support the 
population, create jobs, etc....these must be addressed for any progress to 
happen.   These conditions are what give people little hope for the future.

Deforrestation alone has many ramifications.  Less trees means more soil 
erosion, more soil erosion means less fertile ground to grow crops to sustain 
people, less crops means less economic benefit for farmers, and less food for 
people.  Soil erosion also means more flooding and loss of life, homes, 
belongings, economic opportunity.  Soil erosion also means when the water and 
soil are washed to the sea, less water is absorbed into the ground, and the 
water level of the aquifer is lowered, and salt water intrusion happens.

It's the old snowball effect.  I am sure you already know much of this.  I do 
not write to criticise you and your feelings.  I can tell you care about Haiti, 
and are very frustrated with the lack of movement on what to us seem like 
simple things, build a road - I agree there.  But that does not mean that this 
study and its finding are not important or needed.  We need both of these 
things to happen, side by side.  Short term and long term goals.  Meet todays 
needs AND tomorrows!