One of the ways in which the EMA executes its national mandate involves making the public more aware and concerned about environmental issues

Education & Public Awareness/Corporate Communications

Through a variety of programmes in the media, schools and communities, our aim is to sensitise the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago to environmental issues and concerns, especially within the context of attitudes and behaviours.

Individuals from all walks of life, representing diversity in all its forms in society, need to know that negative practices have negative effects on all areas of our lives. Slash and burn agriculture, water and air pollution, indiscriminate garbage disposal and other abuses of the environment, besides seriously affecting our health and our well being, grievously impact our entire ecosystem.

We all need to understand that these activities tally a great cost to the country, a cost that is measurable in dollars and cents, but cannot be measured in terms of our legacy for future generations.

Our public awareness strategy is to develop a sense of responsibility and accountability in every individual resulting in responsible environmental behaviour.

Our projects for the last five years have been guided by our strategic objectives of clean air, clean water, healthy ecosystems, noise and waste management as stated in EMA’s Strategic Plan 2003-2008.

The Department of Corporate Relations and Public Education provides the following services:

Lectures and Workshops

These are conducted on environmental issues for the benefit of:

• Community groups and non-Governmental Organizations
• Businesses
• Civil society groups
• Teacher Training Workshops
• Primary and Secondary Schools
• Pre-schools and kindergartens

We also provide career guidance lectures to 4th, 5th and 6th formers and others on environmental job opportunities.

Competitions

Every year in collaboration with the Ministry of Education we co-ordinate three schools’ competitions:

Project Based

Primary Schools’ Hands-On Environmental Programme

This competition is open to all primary schools in Trinidad and Tobago, based on a theme provided yearly by the EMA

Public Speaking

Started by the Forestry Division, this Dramatic Envirologue is open to students from forms 4-6