Every developed nation in the world is shifting their focus from Industrialization to Information Technology.
Coal Mines, Smelter Plants etc. have been closed in large numbers all over the civilized world because they are just too harmful to people and environment. Why are we looking to step back into the 1800s in Trinidad and call it "Progress"?

Progress Trinidad Style? Small Island - Big Problems

Trinidad is one of the most densely populated countries on the planet with 249 people per square kilometre and is already almost even in pollution with the US. That's progress!!

Now the government announced three new industrial estates in Trinidad. Before jumping in head first and shouting 'hooray!' maybe Trinidadians need to get a few facts straight.

At current, every man, woman and child on this island is subjected to 16,500 kilograms of Carbon Dioxide in the air we breathe every day. 16,500 kilograms of poison in the air and it doesn't even get a one line mention in the news? If the government's plans for heavy industry in Trinidad continue, this number will be on a rapid increase. Two aluminum smelter plants are planned in what is (until now) the beautiful unspoilt region of Cedros. This move will dump another few thousand kilos of poison into your air. You think the government has a plan to keep all that air in Cedros so the rest of the country doesn't have to breathe it?

Before making suicidal plans, look at your little island and remember the facts: We have 249 people per square kilometre on this island. Compare this with the average on the South American Continent of 48 people per sq. kilometre. All these people squeezed together on this small island breathing polluted air, drinking the water (The Cedros peninsula is a prime drinking water generating area for our island).

How do we compare with other candidates for Aluminum Smelter plants around the globe? Here are the statistics for two countries where the population is right now fighting tooth and nail to keep the dangerous smelters out:

Chile - 28 people per sq. kilometre and currently only 2,600 kilos of carbon dioxide in the air.
Iceland - 2.7 people per sq. kilometre and so little carbon dioxide that figures aren't even published.

How can we even consider any further heavy industrial development when our lives and our health are at stake? Do your math Trinidad, our Island is too small for this much 'progress'!