Tag: ocean

The threat of deep sea mining hangs over our ocean as negotiations in Jamaica close

April 5, 2022

To me, it is quite terrifying to imagine that in just over a year’s time, deep sea mining may be given the go-ahead. Greenpeace USA was at the meeting in Kingston, Jamaica of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) and has been sounding alarm bells since it began. The meeting ended last Friday, April 1, 2022. … More The threat of deep sea mining hangs over our ocean as negotiations in Jamaica close

Alpha Institute Partners with Lonely Whale and Ghetto Youths Foundation in a New Scholarship Initiative

September 27, 2019

Music, education, youth, environment…This partnership has so much going for it! I am excited at this news and wish Andrew Taylor every success. Here is the press release from the Alpha Institute – an institution with a tremendous history. I hope they will keep us updated on this lovely initiative. (By the way, if you … More Alpha Institute Partners with Lonely Whale and Ghetto Youths Foundation in a New Scholarship Initiative

Regional Pollution and Biodiversity Experts Help the UN Caribbean Environment Programme Develop its 2017-2018 Work Programme for Protecting the Caribbean Sea

November 3, 2016

I am now once again in “playing catch-up” mode, so forgive me. Several important meetings have been taking place recently related directly to environmental concerns in Jamaica and the Caribbean, and this is perhaps the most critical for our marine environment. Here is a press release regarding a series of meetings in Miami this week, … More Regional Pollution and Biodiversity Experts Help the UN Caribbean Environment Programme Develop its 2017-2018 Work Programme for Protecting the Caribbean Sea

Book Review: “Gone to Drift” by Diana McCaulay

April 11, 2016

“Gone to drift.” What a sweet phrase to describe a fisherman lost at sea. Like the tides and currents that swirl around our island, this young adult novel carries the reader along – floating, spinning and sometimes swerving unexpectedly, like a small boat on the vast face of the ocean. It’s an adventure story, with … More Book Review: “Gone to Drift” by Diana McCaulay

Plastic Waste Causes Financial Damage of US$13 Billion Annually to Marine Ecosystems; Concern Grows over Microplastics

June 26, 2014

I am sharing with you this recent article on the curse of plastic. If you have ever seen Kingston Harbour after heavy rains, you will know that the surface of the water is covered with plastic (mostly bottles) washed down from the gullies. An issue of great concern is micro plastics. On our island, we need … More Plastic Waste Causes Financial Damage of US$13 Billion Annually to Marine Ecosystems; Concern Grows over Microplastics

UNEP-CEP Preparing Report on the State of the Caribbean’s Marine Environment

June 10, 2014

Our friends at the UN Environment Programme – the Caribbean Environment Programme based here in Kingston – have a major focus: our beautiful Caribbean Sea. On World Environment Day, UNEP-CEP announced that it will be producing the first-ever report on the state of our marine environment here in the Caribbean. A meeting is currently under … More UNEP-CEP Preparing Report on the State of the Caribbean’s Marine Environment

The Seas Beyond “Our” Seas: CARICOM Workshop Learns from Scientists, Conservationists

June 4, 2014

It’s a complicated issue, and there are no easy answers. However, scientists, legal and conservation experts at a regional workshop for Caribbean Community (CARICOM) states on “the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity Beyond Areas of National Jurisdiction” (yes, a very long title) attempted to clarify key issues. The two-day workshop took place … More The Seas Beyond “Our” Seas: CARICOM Workshop Learns from Scientists, Conservationists

Sidestepping

January 10, 2014

My mid-week commentary is just not going to happen at this point. I have had many pleasant distractions to start the year, including a young visitor whose company we have enjoyed. When he leaves on Sunday, I will return to my writing routine, and you shall have your Sunday commentary on time. I promise! Meanwhile, … More Sidestepping

Saturday Day Dream

December 10, 2013

There is something about sitting on a beach that puts you into a day dream. After a while, things get a little hazy, and you realize you have been staring at the same rock for at least ten minutes. It must be the hypnotic sound of the waves, the continuous, unhesitating wash of them. Someone … More Saturday Day Dream