Raise Your Voice...Not the Sea Level

This year's World Environment Day (WED) theme "Raise Your Voice ...Not the Sea Level" was created in support of the United Nations designation of 2014 as the International Year of Small Island Developing States (SIDS)- under which Trinidad & Tobago is included. WED this year adopts SIDS in the broader context of climate change. It aims to encourage a greater understanding of the importance of SIDS and of the urgency to help protect the islands in the face of growing risks and vulnerabilities, particularly as a result of climate change.

The call this year is to recognize that we all face the same challenges and are connected and united by our common goal of a sustainable and prosperous life for all on this planet. The call is to raise our voice in solidarity with one another, particularly with the citizens of the small island states. Whether it is to organize clean up campaigns, tree-planting activities, education/awareness drives and different contests - every action counts. When multiplied by a global chorus, our individual voices and actions become exponential in its impact.

Trinidad Cement Limited (TCL) celebrated World Environment Day 2014 via exhibitions held at both TCL Mayo and Claxton Bay and a Turtle Watching Trip at Matura Beach. The target audience included TCL employees and contractors.

The exhibitions comprised displays and interactive sessions with a number of different organizations/agencies. The exhibitors included Caribbean Permaculture Consultants, Nature Seekers, Ministry of Energy, Zoological Society of Trinidad and Tobago (Emperor Valley Zoo), Forestry Division, Ministry of Legal Affairs- One T&T Campaign, Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM), Rainwater Harvesting- Ms. Dianne Wells, Water and Sewage Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (WASA).

TCL's commemoration aimed to provide all in attendance with the knowledge and awareness of the issues affecting our environment, our roles and responsibilities and the simple actions that can be taken to make a difference. It aimed to give individuals a better idea of the state of affairs and an appreciation of the need to change the way we as a world do things, one individual at a time, in order to prevent environmental degradation and to preserve our environment.