My husband and I will remember Jamaica by the smells of plastics burning, pesticide sprays and incinerated greenery. We had heard that ecotourism and sustainable development were being practiced.

Let us know when you all get serious and start protecting your most important asset, nature.

This is a very sad comment from visitors that were clearly offended. I do not blame them and am actually glad they took the time to write down what so many other visitors think.

We need to practice what we preach. This is the job of everyone in the community--residents, business owners, hotel owners, villa and guest house operators, restaurants, and more.

Whoever took the time to write and post this remark has probably already told all their friends to stay away--and to go to another place that does protect the environment. If this keeps happening, what will people do for employment?

Many Jamaicans will not protect their most valuable asset, the ecosystem of the island. That is the primary reason that most of us non-Jamaicans are interested in Jamaica. There needs to be environmental education across all levels of Jamaican society.
There needs to be a higher value on the beaches, rivers, jungles and sea.
Jamaica is at such a crossroad. The combination of current negative factors is making people like me think twice about investment. I own very good land in the Treasure Beach area and wonder if it is smart to build?

Thanks for taking the time to post this. I do think the people need to start caring about their environment.

Some of us have a soft spot for your rock and want to help in whatever little ways we can.

We will return and bring friends, we now know better where to avoid.

Wish you all the best.

As much as I agree that there are many things about Jamaica that could be improved, I am also aware that most of the population struggles just to get by from day to day. It is hard for me to be too critical of them for not having the knowledge and means to live in a more sustainable manner. The government and the well to do, on the other hand, I have no qualms about criticizing. I applaud Mrs. Kennedy for her efforts through the Treasure Beach Foundation to improve the lives of Treasure Beach residents by promoting education and providing disaster assistance. I hope when Freshair and friends return they will have some constructive ideas for helping to resolve the things he/she finds so objectionable. In 7 visits to TB over the last 10 years, I don't recall witnessing any of the activities Freshair references (at least not any more so than I experience at home in Oregon).

Give Treasure Beach a lot of love! I pick up beach trash every reach and will continue to do so. I encourage all Jamaicans to love their beautiful island.
I am from Oregon in the USA and we as a state try very hard to preserve the beautiful ecosystem that we have been honored to have.

What is lacking in communities across the island, is the fact that some of or most of the locals are clueless as to the value of there surroundings in turns of the environment. This is where educating comes into play.

There is also a real ignorance on environmental damage. I recall about 20 years ago seeing garbage wash up on the beach. This was my garbage. My Jamaican family member had thrown it into the sea. When I told him he couldn't do that he said I was a fool, that the sea will nyam it up!

There is another big ignorance that you have to spray to farm. This is a trick and it is destroying people's health and the sea.

The pesticide use is going to take alot of education as the powers that be want to continue to trick people into thinking these are a must.

The culture is a bit confusing. Floors at home must shine enough to eat off of but fling rubbish around at will outside!

The garbage issue unfortunately has alot to do with the culture of burning. A bit of laziness as well as my last neighbor in the community lived steps from one of the roadside dumpsters but still burnt rubbish even though she and some of her kids were asthmatic!

I think environmental education is even more critical on an island. It has to start in Basic School and continue throughout schooling and be supported by community education. It will take alot to change alot of the bad practices.

One thing for sure, that JA family member no longer throws trash in the sea and you see less and less roadside garbage. It is kind of sickening to see how the beaches stay at times with drink bottles and food boxes and wrappers, laziness once again.

Treasure Beach is not unique in abusing the environment. A few weekends ago I was on a Florida Beach. It was disgusting to see swimmers frolicking in the surf amongst plastic cups that they just casually threw into the water after finishing their beverages.

My biggest beef with the residents of TB is the too common habit of burning their garbage. It's not just any trash being burned, but all types of carcinogen is being incinerated right under their noses! It was not only in TB that I noticed this unfortunate practice. For example, I took in a soccer match at STETHS recently and, while sitting in the stands, I observed a half dozen fires on the hillside south of the ballfield. From the types of houses on the hill, these were apparently well-to-do homeowners that I hoped would have known better. Quite a surreal scene it was; fabulous multi-storied homes juxtaposed amongst rubbish burning just feet away.

AsoMiSeh is right about educating the children on the topic. It has to start in school because the older generation doesn't seem to get it.

Hey Freshair,
I hope there was more to your Jamaican experience that that! Sorry you focus on a few negatives. I'm sure you saw and experienced some beautiful things.
Sure, more can be done in the environmental area both in Ja and elsewhere.
I personally love the smell of cooking with wood in yard. How do you think sugar cane is harvested? I've heard they burn the fields first.
Here in Wisconsin rural people also burn their brush.
If you want a "pristine environment" why not go to an all inclusive? You can swim in an chlorinated pool! You won't see the - real - Jamaica there but everything will look (an smell) "nice an neat!"

Burning plastic may not only cause some cancers but may also be a cause of impotency and erectile dysfunction- more a male thing but
think about the children who are nursing. So think before you burn plastic or throw that bottle in the bush or sea.