Category: Americas

It’s electrifying! IDB and Jamaica’s plan for electric vehicles

October 8, 2021

I must admit – I felt a twinge of envy on hearing last year that Barbados had acquired 33 electric buses. Why can’t Jamaica move forward on this, I wondered? Globally, the electric vehicle market is surging ahead, especially in China, the United States and Europe. President Biden is pushing for 50 percent electric vehicles … More It’s electrifying! IDB and Jamaica’s plan for electric vehicles

Some Marley news, Part 2: Cedella Marley kicks off new women’s football initiative with international friendly between Jamaica and Costa Rica

October 3, 2021

I get excited about football. Our Reggae Girlz are doing very well, although they don’t get the support they deserve. So, enormous gratitude goes out to Cedella Marley, who has been championing the Jamaica women’s team for years and is not only a huge morale-booster but also helping to raise the profile of the team. … More Some Marley news, Part 2: Cedella Marley kicks off new women’s football initiative with international friendly between Jamaica and Costa Rica

Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) Leaders’ Declaration focuses on fossil fuels, climate finance, and the ocean

September 23, 2021

The United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland is drawing nigh, and countries and groupings are lining themselves up, declaring their priorities, polishing up their arguments, getting their “ducks in a row.” Next week, I look forward to learning more from Jamaica’s Climate Change Division (CCD) on how things are shaping up for … More Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) Leaders’ Declaration focuses on fossil fuels, climate finance, and the ocean

Jamaica to lead PAHO Directing Council meeting

September 19, 2021

Our Ministry of Health and Wellness team, headed by Minister Christopher Tufton, has been selected to head an important meeting of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), a branch of the World Health Organization. This is impressive (but, I suspect, a lot more work for Minister Tufton & Co., as if they didn’t have enough … More Jamaica to lead PAHO Directing Council meeting

Jamaica Update, September 13, 2021: Putting that awful August well behind us

September 14, 2021

It was an awful August, truly. Ten days in, the month had already got the thumbs down from me on many counts. The predictable but still shocking report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was one thing. Then there are the relentlessly soaring COVID-19 numbers, reflected in the tired faces of Minister Christopher … More Jamaica Update, September 13, 2021: Putting that awful August well behind us

This Week: The Virtual Island Summit 2021 embraces islanders worldwide

September 7, 2021

There are several Big Things happening this week, that I should have already told you about. Island Innovation’s Virtual Island Summit is just getting under way. I believe this is the third. It is on all week (September 6 to 12) and it is free! It is free and also truly global. I have tuned … More This Week: The Virtual Island Summit 2021 embraces islanders worldwide

Jamaica Update, July 27, 2021: Insults hurled, apologies not proffered, and COVID-19 fraying nerves

July 28, 2021

The problem-plagued Olympic Games in Tokyo finally got under way, and has proved a helpful distraction for Jamaicans fretting about COVID-19 and everything else. And we had some soothing rain – although it has been a contentious week, with insults flying here, there, and everywhere. Oh, and on a personal note…our roof is still leaking. … More Jamaica Update, July 27, 2021: Insults hurled, apologies not proffered, and COVID-19 fraying nerves

A clarification/correction on Jamaica’s vaccination numbers; and new COVID restrictions start tomorrow

July 27, 2021

I have to confess I am not good at numbers. So I made an error in yesterday’s account of the Ministry of Health and Wellness briefing on COVID-19. Let me set it straight. I noted yesterday: “Over 300,000 have received their first dose. This includes 122,000 who have received their second.” Incorrect! (I have removed … More A clarification/correction on Jamaica’s vaccination numbers; and new COVID restrictions start tomorrow

“Nature is our lifeline”: A young indigenous Surinamese woman speaks during Caribbean Tree Planting Week

July 15, 2021

Caribbean Tree Planting Week (July 5 – 11, 2021) was diverse, vibrant, packed with valuable information, and full of youthful energy. Two sessions per day for a week, it covered a great range of topics – centred on nature-based solutions and climate action in the form of tree planting. One of the participants on the … More “Nature is our lifeline”: A young indigenous Surinamese woman speaks during Caribbean Tree Planting Week