Basseterre, St. Kitts, April 22, 2020 — As St. Kitts and Nevis joins the rest of the world in celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day, former St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas said the federation should not take for granted the beauty of nature.
“From our majestic and lush mountain vistas to our crystal waters, diverse animal species and sparkling sunshine, our people should never take for granted how wonderfully blessed we are. I know that counting our blessings is difficult to do at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic has brought the worst public health crisis our nation has ever seen and threatens to decimate our tourism-dependent economy,” said Dr. Douglas, the national political leader of the SKNLP.
He expressed the view that nationals and residents should always treasure their natural environment, and always be thankful for the clean air, the fertile soil, and the tranquility of the beaches. “We should reflect on these blessings and appreciate these gifts of nature, that God has provided to us that will help us to endure, survive and overcome this latest challenge.”
Dr. Douglas noted that even during the COVID-19 pandemic “we must continue to take the steps to protect our environment and to teach our children how to conserve water and electricity.” He said Climate Change poses the largest existential threat to the nation’s health and suggested that preparations must begin for the 2020 Hurricane season.
The former prime minister said the NextGen SKN Labour administration will invest heavily in the agricultural sector, eco-tourism and renewable energy technologies. “This is the pathway towards putting our people back to work and creating a brighter, cleaner and healthier future for everyone.”