On Earthquakes And The Caribbean

I didn't write anything about the Haitian earthquake. Global Voices has a great roundup of posts discussing the Haitian Earthquake (and even more here), and I have no new facts to add to the mix. It's horrendous. It's devastating. It's sad. And in its own way, it actually is helping Haitians get the much deserved attention that they have needed for some time - it's sad that so many had to die and become injured for it to happen.

When it comes to earthquakes, we all play Russian roulette with the planet we live on.

While everyone is up in arms about getting relief to Haiti - as well they should - they should be taking a few moments to look around their own country. Since the limelight is on, all the Caribbean nations should be looking into building standards and enforcement of those building standards.I can't write too much of other countries, but I can write a bit about Trinidad and Tobago's dangers.

Have you seen Point Lisas Industrial Estate? How about La Brea, where the powers that be will defy the very people that elected them to drop a smelter, complete with cyanide and fluoride pollution. Or the industrial island planned to be built off of Otaheite Bay where they will likely drop another smelter? 

Having seen all of that - nevermind the domestic building codes or lack thereof - what would happen if a serious earthquake were to hit these areas? Would, perhaps, toxins somehow be magically contained by rhetoric printed in the media? Would the Prime Minister say, "Things are OK!" and they magically would be? 

Of course not. Well, unless you're the one safely spewing rhetoric from a distance.

Earthquakes are not new to the region or to Trinidad and Tobago. Take a look at the recent earthquake activity in the region - it even has pictures. Then take a deep breath and ask yourself: Shouldn't the Caribbean as a whole be better prepared?

How quickly we forget the rhetoric flying around after the South East Asian Tsunami.