The environmental news from Jamaica has been very discouraging, recently. But here is some good news from the Jamaica Environment Trust, who organize the International Beach Clean-Up Day each year. Individual Jamaicans, institutions, and even the private sector DO actually care about our fragile environment!
The Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) is reporting an unprecedented response to this year’s International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Day activities in Jamaica, to be held on Saturday, September 21, 2013. For the first time in Jamaica, there are 90 registered ICC sites island wide, including seven waterway and eight underwater cleanups. The number of expected participants has also increased from past years to a record breaking 6,000 volunteers.
ICC efforts began in Jamaica the mid-90s with small cleanups taking place in a few locations across the island. In 2008 the Jamaica Environment Trust became national coordinators of ICC activities in Jamaica and gained the support of the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) as the primary donor. That year, 27 groups coordinated 1,800 volunteers to clean up 34 beaches across the island. “ICC Day in Jamaica has grown leaps and bounds each year,” said Diana McCaulay, JET CEO, “We anticipated having more sites and volunteers this year, but 90 sites far exceeds our expectations.”
As the National Coordinator, JET is working with local site coordinators to carry out ICC cleanups in all fourteen parishes in Jamaica. Site coordinators include community based organisations, non-government organizations, government agencies, private sector organizations, hotels, tourism stakeholders, youth clubs, service clubs, and schools. International Coastal Cleanup Day is funded in Jamaica by the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) and the RBC Royal Bank’s Blue Water Project Community Grant, with strong support coming from corporate Jamaica, including Wisynco through their Coca Cola brand.
“The Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) is delighted to know that a record number of sites have been registered for the 2013 (ICC) Day. It is a clear indication that we are beginning to understand and appreciate the concept of social responsibility and the importance of environmental stewardship…not only to ensure our own survival, but is also expected of us from visitors who are holding destinations to higher environmental standards,” said Clyde Harrison, Executive Director of the TEF.
Also new this year is the addition of waterway cleanups thanks to the support of the RBC Royal Bank Blue Water Project Community Action Grant. “We are honoured to support efforts of this year’s RBC Blue Water Project Community Action Grant recipient, the Jamaica Environment Trust, whose coordination of the International Coastal Cleanup Day reflects our focus on urban water issues by protecting and keeping our shorelines and waterways clean,” said Barrington Watson, Market Head, Business Banking, RBC Royal Bank.
This year, there has been increased involvement from government agencies. The Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment is coordinating a cleanup along the Port Royal Main Road, while other Ministry of Tourism agencies will be cleaning up beaches in Trelawny, St Mary, St Elizabeth and St Ann. The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) and the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) will be cleaning Half Moon Bay, Hellshire, and NEPA will also be cleaning up Shipwreck Beach on the Palisadoes Strip. The National Water Commission (NWC) will clean up the beach near the recently rehabilitated sewage plant at Harbour View. In other parishes, the ODPEM will be cleaning Sarah Jimmy River in Portland under the banner of their Community Based Landslide Risk Reduction Project.
There has also been enthusiastic participation from tourism stakeholders including hotels and resort boards. Sandals Foundation has come onboard as a major supporter of ICC Day in Jamaica by coordinating 8 cleanups in 3 parishes. Couples Negril, Couples Swept Away, Hedonism II, The Cardiff Hotel and Spa, and Rock House Hotel are also coordinating cleanups in their resort areas.
ICC volunteers are responsible not only for picking up trash on coastlines, but also collecting data on the type of garbage affecting the marine environment. The data is compiled and sent by JET to the Ocean Conservancy in the U.S., which coordinates the global event. A full list of clean ups islandwide will be published in the press in the days leading up to the event. JET encourages all Jamaicans to join a cleanup in their region – A day at the beach can make a world of difference!
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