What I would do if I were environment minister

What I would do if I were environment minister

Sheila Schulze, Contributor, Jimbaran, Bali

As I take part in the Clean Up Bali program and look at my
surroundings, it helps me think clearly about what I would do if
I were the environment minister.

First of all, I would set up a team, which would have the task
of making an action plan to deal with all the problems.

When my team is ready with its proposal, we would call a
meeting with governors, the mayors and the village chiefs to
propose a solution to the garbage problem. In Bali, we would have
to talk to the banjar (community agrarian network) to ensure that
the proposal is understood and accepted.

In my own opinion, the problem is not about the garbage itself
but the bad habits of people, who throw away their rubbish
without caring about the consequences of their actions.

I think that there are still many people who are ignorant
about what they are doing to cause environmental problems.

The problem may be worked out if the government agency who has
a responsibility on this matter, together with organizations like
environmental group WISNU, visit each village and go from one
banjar to the next, explaining to the public and providing
information on what happens when we burn our garbage or choose to
discard it irresponsibly. Hopefully, people would understand that
what they do makes a difference.

We may also have to look at our modern lifestyle. In the olden
days, they used banana leaves and corn husks for packaging. Now
many things are packaged with nonbiodegradable plastic, so the
people have to realize the differences this is causing in the
world around them.

Now there are too many cars in Bali. Some people say the
reason because no comfortable public transportation is available.
I also miss clean parks where all the family can go, or litter-
free tourist attractions.

Most of the tourist places in Bali are dirty. For example,
when I went to the famous Tanah Lot with my family, we were
shocked to see the owners of the sidewalk stalls tossing their
garbage into the sea.

If I were the environment minister, I would take action again
the people that destroy the jungles by burning down the trees. I
will also hire people for nature and wildlife jobs, like
replanting trees all around the world.

I am hurt when I see the people catching the animals because
they want to sell them for big money. I already made a plan for
my 12th birthday in August that I will accept presents in cash,
and with this money I'll go to the bird market. Then I will buy
all the birds and set them free in their habitat.

I would enforce the laws against the people who catch the
animals and sell them. I would try and help all the animals, not
only endangered ones but all of those which are being exploited.
I would open a hospital, for example, which would care for the
animals. I would hire a professor to device a pollution-free
machine to diagnose and treat the poor creatures.

At this time, I'm not in the position to do anything that can
help to solve out this matter except by joining Clean Up Bali and
entering writing competitions about saving the environment, but I
pray to God that all the hands in this world will come together
and take action to save the Earth.

If I became the environment minister, I would try my best to
save the world and I would keep my word. For if we don't care,
maybe one day it will rebound on us and all the problems we have
caused will bring an end to our Earth. Don't let that happen.

Sheila Schulze, 11, enjoys painting, writing, reading and
playing on the computer. Her motto is Save the World. Contact her
at sheila_schulze@yahoo.com