Colleen Dawkins is the Prime Minister’s Youth Awardee for Environmental Protection 2021. She has always been passionately involved in the environment.
Nature is my sanctuary. Miss Dawkins explains that I have always tried to choose the window seat or seat near the door since high school. This allowed me to look out and be inspired and inspired by the mountains, birds, and trees.
She also recalls being a member of clubs in high school, which led to her developing an affinity for the environment.
I was a member of the Environmental Club at Immaculate [Conception High School]My passion was environmental protection and being involved in beach clean-ups really helped me, she said.
Miss Dawkins explains that she was able to understand the importance and be an advocate for the environment through the clubs.
I was struck by the fact that we were neglecting this precious gem, earth, and were losing it. This would also mean that we will miss out on many opportunities regarding security for things such as water and food. Climate change is threatening all of these, she states.
When Miss Dawkins began working for the Jamaica Information Service, her love affair with environmental issues continued.
She notes that I gained a greater appreciation and love for the environment when I was assigned as a member of the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation. This ministry had oversight over the plastic ban.
She points out, however, that at the time, Minister without Portfolio in MEGJC, now Minister Science, Energy and Technology, Hon. Darryl Vaz was responsible for the environment and Senator the Hon. Matthew Samuda had moved the motion to ban single-use plastics.
I had to work alongside them. That’s when I saw all the statistics and attended all those meetings at Jamaica House. I realized the true impact of us mindlessly and selfishly eating box food and throwing away the Styrofoam boxes with no regard for the environment.
We complain about how the gullies need cleaning until a natural catastrophe or heavy rain causes flooding. But we don’t realize that if you clean up after yourself, it would help the environment as well as our plight.
She says that after attending those meetings, and working on the public education campaign to ban plastic bags, she was convinced Jamaicans needed to do better. She transformed herself into an environmental champion.
I would encourage everyone I know to stop using plastic and tell them to switch from plastic bags with scandalous contents to recyclable bags. Miss Dawkins explains that I would suggest to them to use metal forks and wooden forks.
She said that the campaign’s resources were extremely important tools because they showed the harmful effects of human action on the environment.
I would show them how the gullies and marine life are being impacted, how turtles are eating plastic bags which they cant digest, as the Youth Awardee notes.
One image from the Hope Zoo’s rehabilitation program for crocodiles was what got her very emotional. She vividly recalls the photos of an autopsy that revealed that there were approximately 20 plastic bags in one crocodile’s stomach.
Miss Dawkins emphasizes that while beach clean ups have their place and are important, it’s more efficient to be proactive about protecting the environment than reactive.
It’s one way to help. But, how about recycling the containers you use when you order take-out? Instead of using plastic bags to collect items, you can bring your own reusable bag. What about collecting bottles in one bag or a container and taking them to the recycling station once or twice a week, depending on how often you collect them? Miss Dawkins asserts that these simple actions can make a significant impact and add up to a lot of value.
The Youth Awardee believes there is still much to be done in the world and is critical of inaction.
I feel like we spend way too much time talking about climate changes, rather than taking our adaptations and mitigation efforts seriously. I feel like we belabour it. Yes, climate changes are real. And we do all the research. However, we did not put our efforts into action or encourage others to take up the cause, she states.
Miss Dawkins believes that the issue must first be addressed at the local level.
You should go into the villages and have a dialogue with the people and farmers. I have to commend Minister [of Agriculture] Hon. Hon.
She believes that the next generation should be equally aware of the challenges, and she urges that education and socialization begin in the early-childhood.
She discusses the impact of natural catastrophes on global supply chain and points out how it could impact matters such as getting medicine and other critical supplies.
Miss Dawkins will use the award to help her find partners with organizations that share her views about the environment and Jamaica’s future.
Vision 2030 is not a dream. She believes that Vision 2030 will become a reality, especially in the area of environmental protection. If we all work together and continue to inspire our fellow citizens to do their part, she said.
Miss Dawkins, who has partnered with Esirom Marketing, will co-host Earth Hour on March 26.
She explains that Earth Hour, an annual event, is a gathering of supporters from more than 200 countries and territories to act on the issues facing the earth.
People from all walks of the planet gather to recognize the effects of global warming and climate change. The Youth Awardee states that to mark the hour, all electricity is turned off for one hour around the globe. This shows the importance of managing resources.
Miss Dawkins was recently a guest speaker at the United Nations Development Programmes Archipelagic & Island States Forum, Caribbean Youth Talk about Natural Disaster Resilience and how youth are affected by natural disasters.
She will also be partnering the Sandals Foundation to work in the area environmental protection, which forms one of the Foundation’s pillars.
Miss Dawkins thanked Prime Minister for the award and promised to continue championing the cause.
I am so grateful for the Ministry of Education and Youth, Secretariat and Prime Minister who saw the need to recognize my work at the national level. This is a great feeling and a blessing. It’s like a magic wand that makes me a protector for the earth, and I guard this responsibility fiercely, she told JIS News.