Flood-prone, mosquito breeding place

The Editor, Sir:

Jamaica is definitely a nation at risk. We have become even more vulnerable to the forces of nature like the torrential rain now lashing the island, uprooting trees, flooding of communities, removal of topsoil and wreaking damage which results in the closure of business and publicoffices.

In addition, we are at risk as a result of man-made decisions which have resulted in the destruction of our fragile ecosystems. In spite of the early conservationists like Richard Thelwell and others and the recent environmental groups, we see evidence of the worsening state of Kingston Harbour, the construction of housing andhotels in places where they should not be located, and the most frightening work on the Palisadoes sand spit.

It is amazing that our skills forrisk management are so poor in the economy, in the natural and built environment and in the social sphere, that far-reaching decisions continue to be made with disastrous consequences. SometimesI believe that we have a national ethos which defies gravity. The result is often what happens to a ripe breadfruit in a tree. If unpicked it falls to the ground and splatters. Instead of seeking the advice of competent professionals at home and abroad, the marriage of the ignorant and the arrogant reigns supreme.

Irresponsible

A former student has tried patiently to explain to me the development of the field of risk management in insurance and many other fields. Our leadersneed to develop these skills astheir actions are having adverse effects on our collective future. Sadly, we live inanation in which those responsible are not man or woman enough to take responsibility for their actions.

It may wellbe that some of us have the kinds of personalities born ofnature, nurture and the environment that causes us to take the kind of risk which leads to disaster, as opposed to progress.

I hope that we can steer the ship of state more wisely as the land of wood and water is becoming aflood-prone, mosquito-breeding, dangerous place. If we could only identify and acknowledge our strengths and work to them while we recognise our weaknesses we could become better able to manage the risk of self-destruction.

The longer I live, the more I understand that prophetic voices must speak even in the face of the foolish and theirfolly, the arrogant and their arrogance and the ignorant and their ignorance. Give us vision lest we perish.

I am, etc.,

hilary Robertson-Hickling

UWI, Mona