What's with all this Garbage??

Everyone who knows me are more than aware of the major reason why urban areas like Tunapuna or Port of Spain upsets me. They know that I come from a small island that markets itself as the 'Nature Isle of the Caribbean', where every town and community extols its beauty. Pollution back home is something rarely found and as an ecotourism destination, it is sure kept at a distance. Government officials ensure of this and if by any chance they slack off there are community efforts ever present to engage in beautification projects on beaches, near rivers, or even in their own communities.

garbage on Frederick Street

This  photo taken on Frederick Street,  looks like this bag of rubbish has been abandoned, the contents of the bag exposed on the street corner where people walk by or stand to wait for taxis. 


The photo below is on another street outside of a business establishment where it appears that the owners dispose of unwanted boxes in this manner and passersby or owners of nearby food stalls fill them up with their own refuse.

In addition, it is not only the sight that poses a disgrace to me, the unbearable smell of the cities is so unpleasant that in my opinion should be considered a hazard. This quote from Chief Seattle a Native American Indian, illustrates activity on these streets, “Like a man who has been dying for many days, a man in your city is numb to the stench.” People walk about, work around even live among these sights and smells almost as if it has become a part of their lives.

The dust from vehicles are so abundant that you will be amazed at what you see after looking at a tissue that you have wiped your face on. As soon as I get home, I throw my clothes in the laundry and take a shower...yes it IS that serious to me. 

Being that I am not from here, my question is that what is the role of the urban council in attempting you make these issues better? I am sure there should be some measures in place to deal with the clogged gutters that produce the stenches and the garbage that piles up along the sidewalks. It seems as if nobody cares about the sickness or diseases that may be caused by this and the days go on 'business as usual'. 

The American Journal of Environmental Sciences produced an article on Waste Disposal and Pollution Management in Urban Areas: A Workable Remedy for the Environment in Developing Countries. 

It states that in urban areas of developing countries more profound pressures from human activities and population densities contribute fundamentally to pollution levels. Businesses are being established every so often, whether legit or squatting their contribution too is significant.  Is it that there is an inadequate source of resources such as technology, finance or policy frameworks even that can cause some alleviation to this health hazard?  It is no secret in the law of economics that private businesses sole purpose is to make profits, but would it not serve a business owner (s) the upper hand to give back to his community by investing in proper waste management regardless of government officials laws. Simple actions such as recycling goes a long way. 

The attitudes of individuals toward pollution hazards I believe is also an important factor for I believe if a solution must be met, people need to cooperate and cooperation will only occur if they begin to care. One factor that always get people to care about the environment is not telling them to keep it clean for health reasons nor is it to preserve it for their children but to give them something of material or monetary value. Yes I know, it sounds like bribery but it's what works. After all, we don't wish to end up like the this video of Greece ( supposedly a more developed country than us). 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kkg71wLtx2s