Monday, June 29, 2015. Aaron Humes Reporting: The Belize Coalition to Save Our Natural Heritage is not resting on its laurels as it seeks the complete banning of drilling for petroleum resources in the waters of Belize and in protected areas.
Even though the Government has withdrawn its appeal against OCEANA, the Coalition and Citizens Organized for Liberty through Action (COLA) on the matter of six struck down petroleum production sharing agreements ruled null and void for various reasons, it has only committed to a moratorium on drilling and is consulting on guidelines for petroleum production which still place virtually all of Belize within sight of an oil drill.
Today the Coalition introduced two new means of keeping up its fight, targeted at disparate populations. One is a series of postcards featuring messages from tourists to Belize who encourage local government officials not to pursue offshore drilling as it would spoil their favorite vacation spots.
A coloring book targets children who attend restaurants and other public places.
Williams explains that they hope to persuade the government to move to a full ban on drilling offshore and in protected areas in order to preserve the unique environment and the tax dollars that Government itself collects.
The postcards are being shipped out to various outlets and the Coalition hopes its tourism partners will house both the postcards and coloring books for children.