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