Residents say that ministers’ attendance at COP28 contradicts the decision to burn accumulation of tires at Cooks Landfill

While Antigua and Barbuda was witness to the historic
28th  Conference of the Parties (COP28), which has adopted a loss-

and-damage fund to the tune of almost US$300 million, persons here
were contributing to greenhouse-gas emissions with the burning of
tires at the Cooks Sanitary Landfill.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne and Sir Molwyn Joseph, along with
technicians from the Department of the Environment, are now in
Dubai, acknowledging the urgency of mitigating climate change and
fostering worldwide sustainability.
 
With this in mind, many residents are asking why government
officials saw it fit to undertake the burning of tires at the landfill,
when such an action is damaging to the environment.

Persons living as far away as Fort Road recount seeing thick black
smoke rising in the sky on Thursday afternoon, November 30, as the
rubber was burning.
 
This action reportedly was taken because the shredder – which had
been purchased to reduce the stockpile of tires dumped at the
landfill daily – has not been in operation for two years now.
 
In fact, a source tells REAL News, the equipment has been overrun
with bushes.  Further claims say that the person who is qualified to
operate the machine was not being paid and therefore refused to
work.
 
The tires apparently posed a health risk, as they can accumulate
water and create a breeding ground for mosquitoes; and there is
currently an uptick in local cases of dengue fever.

Meanwhile, reports say that Antigua and Barbuda’s attendance at
COP28 is for Prime Minister Browne and Sir Molwyn to contribute
meaningfully to the critical conversations and engagements
unfolding at the event.

Officials say their presence underscores the Nation’s commitment to
addressing pressing global environmental challenges and
advocating for sustainable solutions.
 
But locals are asking why they are bothering to attend when the
country is still contributing to environmental degradation through
acts such as the burning of tires.