The Editor, Sir:

Nothing can deny the fact that time is closing. Although it has a lot to do with the fact that I've lived the greater portion of God's allotment to mankind, my fears are centred around man's rapid rate of technological advancement and the nasty effects of radiation; but primarily carbon emission on our environment.

My concern has to do with the fact that any good government in our diaspora would weigh the pros and cons of having so much privately-owned automobiles operating on our roadways while our natural wildlife is going to ruins. Even mongoose are being dislocated; it is still odd to see a mongoose run over like a puss or dog by some insensitive driver.

At first I could not understand why we were calling cars 'deportees' until someone informed me that they are rejects. With manufacturing costs lowered to facilitate its purchase. Thus, it occurred that Jamaica is fast becoming a dump site for first world countries.

The realisation struck when I needed an old tyre to burn a (dead) dog. Normally I'd have to go further up the road to the mechanic shop at Gordon Pen's 'gate', but as I continued through the Housing Trust projects I could see that the banks of the river on this side has too much old tyres, so I helped myself to a couple and was on my way ... bothered.

Question: Since the fumes of the tyre is so toxic, then the official site (if there's any) must be even more hazardous. Furthermore, I've never heard any mention of recycling, so how is a car's body disposed of officially? With global warming the subject of international debate it is easy to see where bribery (kickbacks?) might be applied to developing nations when it comes to purchasing pollutants.

Our leaders need to make educated calculations rather than frivolous ones, which in effect, only appear but will inevitably create repercussions negatively. The effect of greenhouse gases is already evident in the Andes tropical mountain glaciers in Peru, where it has been observed that the normal rate of melting 6 metre per year has increased to 60 metres per year, at that rate it will be halved by next year and completely gone within five.

This is a system of water supply being decimated by mankind in the name of advancement. Driving 105 miles in small car equivalent two hours of burning coal.

If the effects are so adverse on these great mountains which have withstood the test of time, then it is no wonder I have never see johncrows roving the skies anymore. it has literally become difficult to breathe on the road if one's a pedestrian, and plants and animals won't even cope with the eco-system.

The government needs to enforce a system of mass transportation while aiming to preserve our uniqueness. No point having it as our National bird if the 'doctor' becomes obsolete. Minimise deforestation and automobile imports because our land mass and atmosphere can't adapt to become an American state. The earthquake 10 days before Valentine's Day may very well be the earth's way of rebelling against the CWC construction and may just be a preamble!!

P.S. Along with setting up a system of mass transportation, our leaders need to regulate the importation of cars ... way too much are on our roads!

I am, etc.,

Wayne Howell

St. Catherine