My elementary school reuses its five-gallon water containers as trash cans and enforces a strict no-littering policy. If a student is caught throwing their trash on the ground, they can lose their recreo (recess) and have to spend time cleaning up the rest of the school. I believe that the DR is moving in the right direction when it comes to managing pollution, but there's still a lot of work to be done.
The DR is working to become more climate-resilient in many ways. The government receives support from USAID, an American organization, to address problems like water pollution and deforestation. The eco-tourism industry is also becoming increasingly popular, allowing tourists to appreciate the beauty of the DR without negatively impacting the environment. The DR has also founded national parks and protected marine areas, such as the beautiful Parque Nacional los Haitises, which is home to endangered mangrove (manglar) forests and unique animal species. In conclusion, while the DR is facing many sustainability issues, the country is also striving to protect its citizens and natural resources from the consequences of climate change and pollution and to maintain the beauty and diversity of the island.
