Mercury
is a highly toxic chemical, exposure to which can have serious health
implications such as neurological and behavioural disorders, impairment of the
digestive and immune systems, and in extreme cases death. The Minamata
Convention on Mercury is an international agreement developed in response to
the immensely hazardous characteristics of this chemical. In an effort to
facilitate the ratification and early implementation of the Convention, a
sub-regional project entitled, “Development of Minamata Initial Assessments
(MIA) in the Caribbean” was initiated. Trinidad and Tobago, in conjunction with
three (3) other territories of the Caribbean participated in the project to
conduct a mercury inventory for each island, and to determine the main mercury
sources, legislative gaps and health and environmental impacts. There were also
several communications materials developed under the project, and these along
with the project’s results were shared over a series of Final National Results
Workshops in October, 2018 in North and South Trinidad and in Tobago.
The aim
of these Workshops were dissemination of the main aforementioned outputs of the
project, inclusive of the communications materials which included vivid
infographics as well as both national and regional videos. These were developed
on both regional and national scope, to raise awareness and prompt action on
the need for holistic mercury management. The format of the Workshops were
designed to capture the audiences composed of key stakeholders but predominantly
secondary school students, through the use of dramatic performances from the Drama
Making a Difference (DMAD) Production Company.
Trinidad and Tobago is not yet a Party to the Minamata Convention on Mercury and thus we were pleased to have been given the opportunity to participate in this Minimata Initial Assessment (MIA) Project, as it afforded a more holistic and quantitative assessment into the status of mercury locally. Moving forward, the results of the study will be analysed and used to assist with the development of the policy directive, as the country develops a more definitive country position on signing the Minamata Convention on Mercury. Concurrently, it will also encourage more focused action on those sectors requiring more attention.
Ms. Keima Gardiner - Waste Management Specialist, presents at the Workshop
DMAD Company during their performance
Student participants in Tobago
Student participants in North Trinidad
A student raises a question during the South Trinidad Workshop
Student participants in South Trinidad
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