Thoughts on World Water Day (Including a Poem)

World Water Day, and dark rain clouds hung over Kingston all afternoon without a drop of rain falling. A little “blessing” would have been nice.

I attended the launch of the Jamaican Government/United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Green Economy Scoping Study for Jamaica. On the lawns of Devon House outside, the World Water Day exhibition booths were set up. Actually, there are two reports (the second being Vision 2030: Jamaica and Green Economy) funded by the European Commission through UNEP and with the tremendous support of the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona campus. Here’s an important link where you can download both reports and find further information on the Caribbean Green Economy Project: http://www.unep.org/greeneconomy/News/launchoftwoGreenEconomyreportsinJamaica/tabid/1061001/Default.aspx

The Minister Without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation responsible for the Environment Daryl Vaz arrived early. This is a first, in my experience. I have sat at so many events, (im)patiently waiting for a Minister to arrive so that proceedings could start, with the Minister breezing in twenty or thirty minutes late with a half-hearted apology (or none). So this was most refreshing. The presentations were varied and very interesting, and I learned a great deal. These were my takeaway messages and thoughts thereon, in a nutshell. Much more information was provided during the morning that I could elaborate on:

The Green Economy Reports for Jamaica in printed form. However, it’s all available online. (My photo)

• Minister Vaz said non-governmental organizations play a critical role in environmental matters. “We will lend a listening ear,” he said. Environmental activists, please take the Minister up on this! Do make appointments to sit down and talk with Mr. Vaz, as soon as possible!
• Several speakers agreed that there should be “no silos anymore” – to quote Regional Director for UNEP Leo Heileman. Tackling climate change must be an all-round effort.
• How much longer are we going to keep banging on about renewable energy? We need to step up our game on this. Mr. Heileman pointed out our ridiculously high oil import bill, reminding Jamaica that it has to move away from carbon, as another small island nation, the Seychelles has done. The target of 20 per cent renewables for Jamaica is far too modest, in my view. We need to aim higher. Did we reach that target last year, as former state minister Julian Robinson predicted?
• There’s a need for private sector buy-in, as the Minister and others noted (Mr. Vaz called it “renewed commitment.”) The private sector needs to be convinced of the value of greening. But I did not get a real sense of much private sector participation in the event itself (perhaps this was a misperception). It was noted that banks are wary and not particularly willing to take a leap of faith and make loans to “green” ventures. This needs to change! In fact, the whole mindset needs to change.

Minister Without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation Daryl Vaz receives a copy of the Green Economy report from Regional Director for UNEP Leo Heileman. (My photo)

• The European Union’s Head of Cooperation Jésus Orus Baguena noted that “tokenism” is out, as far as both gender and environmental issues are concerned. They can no longer be dropped into project proposals in a line or two; they must be properly addressed and included as important considerations on their own. The EU now regards climate change and the environment as priority, and one-third of its available funds will be used in this area for the next several years.

Barbados’ Minister of Environment and Drainage (what an odd title!) Denis Lowe believes greening the economy is the only way for his country and for other Caribbean nations. (My photo)

• The United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Resident Representative/Resident Coordinator in Jamaica, Bruno Pouezat, reminded us of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. These were referred to in the context of Vision 2030 and by several panelists. Both Vision 2030 and the Scoping Study reflect almost every one of the goals.

Keynote speaker and Minister of the Environment and Drainage in Barbados, Denis Lowe (a diminutive man with a wonderfully dry sense of humor) was very serious when he said: “It’s all about saving the Earth. It’s a moral responsibility.” Barbados was one of the first nations globally to undertake a Green Economy Scoping Study. Minister Lowe said the country “had no choice“ but to adopt a green economy and its margin of error was “absolutely zero.”  He emphasized the absolute necessity – or “we will put our economies at risk.”

• There is now a sub-regional office of UNEP in Kingston, headed by Vincent Sweeney. I will have to find out the contact details.
• Dr. Michael Witter, who led the study with supporting contributors in each of the five sectors addressed, referred repeatedly to the need for incentives for green initiatives (as did others). How do we create these incentives to nurture “green opportunities”? One suggestion was to encourage the greening of social enterprise, as much of civil society is already on board with the idea.

Dr. David Smith of the Institute of Sustainable Development: Jamaica needs an environmental “champion” in government. (My photo)

• There is also a need for more research – and more data. This was repeated by several panelists. Surely there is a connection between the two. Often, it was observed, the data is available, but not published. There is an urgent need for open data. Dr. David Smith from UWI’s Institute for Sustainable Development reiterated this point (there is a “proprietary” feeling among some Government departments, he thinks). He also stressed the importance of a science-based approach to climate change and green solutions.
• “Having a Minister of the Environment is not half as important as having a champion for the environment,” said Dr. Smith. A public sector champion, that is. I agree wholeheartedly!
• I asked a question about how the man/woman on the street can be brought into the picture. It’s fine to sit in an air-conditioned uptown meeting room and discuss farmers, fishers and others out there trying to “earn a food.”  We all nod our heads and agree. But they are not in the room with us. So how do we convince them of the value of a green economy? I had a sense that participants might have been “preaching to the choir” at yesterday’s event. Activist and writer A-dZiko Simba Gegele suggested there is a need to “empower people to take action” – small-scale incentives to do rainwater harvesting, perhaps. Dr. Mikey Witter observed a “breakdown of community capacities” during the 80s/90s. Hopefully local government reform and other initiatives will revive the community connection.
• Carmen Arguello of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) said Jamaica has proposals for accreditation for two private sector entities, which the GCF is currently working on. Wouldn’t it be good to have the Jamaican Government commit to even a small amount of co-funding support for green projects? On adaptation projects, the GCF will fund 50 per cent for Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Africa; and 50 per cent for other developing countries, with a focus on resilience. Targeted sectors are: energy, ecosystems, livelihoods and infrastructure/built environment. Contact her: carguello@gcfund.org or Laetitia de Marez, Regional Advisor for the Caribbean: ldemarez@gcfund.org.

Sustainable development activist Heather Pinnock sees many “green” business opportunities in the construction sector. (My photo)

• Heather Pinnock, former architecture/construction specialist who has moved into sustainable development, notes 10 per cent of Jamaica’s Gross Domestic Product is construction. Since 2009 the Building Code has not been promulgated (why?) She noted many business opportunities in climate-smart buildings: developing water-smart solutions, for example. We need to change our mindset and return to some traditional ways of construction that had practical use – eg. ventilation and the lovely old-fashioned fretwork that actually filters sunlight!
• Michael Whyte of Dairy Spring Ltd. actually makes money out of supplying water on the north coast. He told us the National Water Commission and the National Irrigation Commission both operate at 30 per cent efficiency. He discussed the opportunities in re-using wastewater for irrigation, etc. He wants to see private sector leadership in the field.
• Richard May of Echos Consulting (in the sustainable tourism business) reminded us that a serious awareness drive is needed on even the most basic “green” projects such as solar technology. Again, a change in mindset is needed for the green economy to take off.
• I learned about the Pump-n-Spray device – a brilliant and highly successful water-saving device. Find Pumpandspray on Facebook! Water lock-offs may soon return…
• Fourteen out of the fifteen National Outcomes in the Vision 2030 document are related in some way to the development of a green economy, Elizabeth Emmanuel told us. Find Vision 2030 on Facebook. Website: http://www.vision2030.gov.jm On Twitter: @ndp_2030. They are also on YouTube and Instagram. Ms. Emmanuel noted the “gaps”: data collection and management, research, tax incentives, and “green” public procurement (an important item!)

Vision 2030 Jamaica.

• We learned about the National Environment & Planning Agency’s (NEPA) proposed Green Business Certification Program, Green Business Jamaica. NEPA’s Dr. Kerrine Senior said the first phase would start in April 2016. The pilot program will begin in April 2017.
• Lt. Cdr. Mike Rodriguez told us about the National Certification Body of Jamaica (NCBJ) – established in 2007 and the first of its kind in the Caribbean. He told us about the ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management Systems Standard and the NCBJ’s “risk-based thinking” approach.
• Did I mention Panos Caribbean’s Voices for Climate Change? They sang beautifully while we ate our lunch under the huge mango tree at Devon House. Pam Hall and her daughter sounded especially good!
• Finally, kudos to Lt. Colonel Oral Khan, Chief Technical Director at the former environment ministry, who guided us through the complex and detailed schedule smoothly and professionally.

Well, that’s quite a large nutshell. There are so many issues to get our teeth into.

So, last but not least: Let’s get on with it! Let’s get something going – nothing ventured, nothing gained. There are lots of great papers written and policies crafted. Now it’s time for action! The Jamaican Green Economy-to-be needs a kick start. Wake up, private sector!

Then perhaps, to use Heather Pinnock’s words: “We can adapt, mitigate – and thrive with climate change.” I love the word thrive.

P.S. My learning session (I am always learning when I attend such events) would have been much improved if the muttering chorus in the back had quieted itself. If one considers one’s conversation with one’s neighbor so much more interesting than what the presenter is saying, perhaps one should leave the room to continue that fascinating conversation. It’s just plain bad manners, isn’t it?

Following up on my last post: A Facebook friend of mine shared his poem with me for the forests of the Cockpit Country, and I am posting it on World Water Day. I love it. It is called Morning Glory.

 The sun rose over the eastern heights; it flooded the land with light/The lingering mist and shadows fled. They left a dazzling sight/Lush green valleys and wooded hills; all sparkling with drops of dew/colourful birds, on the wing; and rivers: quite a few./What a wonderland to see; mother nature at her best/and the most amazing thing to me; they charge no entry fee./The unspoilt beauty of the place has to be seen to be believed/and that’s exactly why all Jamaicans are so grieved./The rulers of this land would give our paradise a blow/if, to the highest bidder, the double C’s should go./But let me sound a warning here; let’s all leave well alone/Let the cockpit country stand. Don’t touch a single stone.

The beautiful, endangered Cockpit Country. The Noranda bauxite company is nibbling away at the edges, while the Government has done nothing about “defining the boundaries” of this unique area. (Photo: Ted Lee Eubanks)