Sixteen days to put violence against women on the activist agenda in Jamaica

November 26, 2022

Today (November 26) is International Day Against Violence Against Women, which begins the Sixteen Days of Activism. As always, this issue will be high on the agenda among human rights activists across the island. Violence against women haunts us. In August, I wrote about the case of a young woman whose body has never been … More Sixteen days to put violence against women on the activist agenda in Jamaica

A splash of art and crafts for Christmas in Kingston, Jamaica

November 26, 2022

It’s that time of year again, with the softening of the sun’s harsh rays and the shortening of our days. The light changes somehow, and the weather has calmed. So, it’s feeling a little like Christmas! In Kingston, however, the traffic has not calmed at all, and the season’s activities have stepped up. These include … More A splash of art and crafts for Christmas in Kingston, Jamaica

The leadership question: some thoughts from Jamaica’s Integrity Commission

November 20, 2022

When we are discussing a particularly intractable problem, and there seems to be no solution, no positive outcome – in fact, no outcome at all – we often scratch our heads and say: “Well, it’s a matter of leadership.” In other words, a lack of leadership. We cannot untangle the conundrum. We go round in … More The leadership question: some thoughts from Jamaica’s Integrity Commission

Urgent statement re: mining-related activities in SML173 – Cockpit Country, Jamaica

November 19, 2022

The lobby group Freedom Imaginaries is raising the alarm. Please read their statement below carefully. This morning I attended a conference which provided valuable updates on the Kingston Harbour Ecosystem Adaptation Measures Project (KHEAM). This impressive project, spearheaded by the GraceKennedy Foundation, embraces several partners and is ensuring full community involvement and buy-in. I met … More Urgent statement re: mining-related activities in SML173 – Cockpit Country, Jamaica

Hurry! BirdsCaribbean is offering THREE grant opportunities

November 18, 2022

Students, early career professionals, researchers, individuals or organisations now have the opportunity to apply for any one of three grants now on offer from BirdsCaribbean. The deadline for all three is Friday November 25, 2022, 11:59 pm EDT. Hurry up and apply! The David S. Lee Fund for the Conservation of Caribbean Birds is named … More Hurry! BirdsCaribbean is offering THREE grant opportunities

Jamaica’s Rio Cobre continues to suffer, and so do those depending on it

November 16, 2022

The saga of the Rio Cobre, one of our island’s major rivers, is a long and sad one. Neither this beautiful river, nor those who depend on it for their food, their livelihoods and their families, deserve the poor treatment they have received over the years. The Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) and other groups have … More Jamaica’s Rio Cobre continues to suffer, and so do those depending on it

Brightening things up: some offerings from our Jamaican garden

November 13, 2022

I thought my blog needed a little “refresher” – there has been too much “heavy stuff” lately. So, here’s a little brightness and colour this Saturday evening. We have had rain, sun, more rain and more sun for the past few weeks. As a result, our already rather overgrown garden has gone into overdrive. Everything … More Brightening things up: some offerings from our Jamaican garden

As International Seabed Authority meeting winds up, more countries seek a pause on deep sea mining

November 12, 2022

The past week has been quite intense, with the critical and long-anticipated COP27 opening in Egypt and the equally crucial International Seabed Authority (ISA) Council Meeting in Kingston, Jamaica wrapping up. It’s difficult to assimilate and sort out all the different threads, but there are some positives, at least regarding the latter meeting. Some brave … More As International Seabed Authority meeting winds up, more countries seek a pause on deep sea mining

No place for racism in our politics, says Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica

November 9, 2022

The current atmosphere, both in Jamaica and elsewhere, encourages me to think that we have to continuously fight against the negative, the dark, and the downright destructive. The struggle is real! Everald Warmington is a Member of Parliament for the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and Minister Without Portfolio responsible for Works in the Ministry … More No place for racism in our politics, says Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica

More than a glimmer of hope at deep sea mining talks in Jamaica, and perhaps a sea change in the making

November 8, 2022

As the 27th Conference of Parties (signatory countries) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) – COP27 for short – gets under way in Egypt, another important meeting is taking place in downtown Kingston, Jamaica: Part III of the 27th Session of the International Seabed Authority (ISA). The session opened on October … More More than a glimmer of hope at deep sea mining talks in Jamaica, and perhaps a sea change in the making