Tag: biodiversity

Growing backlash to deep sea mining is hurting companies in their pockets

June 22, 2022

A few weeks ago, I reported on the last meeting of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) in Kingston, and interviewed Greenpeace USA representatives, who attended, on the looming threat of deep sea mining. Despite the ISA being headquartered right here, the issue has sparked very little interest among our local media, who are preoccupied with … More Growing backlash to deep sea mining is hurting companies in their pockets

Palms, Ring-tailed Pigeons, the rushing river, and janga soup: Castleton Gardens on a Sunday morning

May 25, 2022

Happy (belated) Biodiversity Day! Or if you prefer the long-winded version, International Day for Biological Diversity. It’s interesting how one creature can capture your imagination – and make your day. In my case, that creature is most likely to be a bird. This happened a few weeks ago, as the BirdLife Jamaica “posse” set out … More Palms, Ring-tailed Pigeons, the rushing river, and janga soup: Castleton Gardens on a Sunday morning

Jamaica is a birding hotspot, but there’s more to it than that

April 10, 2022

You know, I am a “bird nerd.” I am missing most of the organized birdwatching trips – but thank God for our yard, which is overgrown and somewhat wooded and brings us pleasant bird sightings on a daily basis. Today was a stately White-crowned Pigeon at our bird bath; a Vervain hummingbird dipping his tiny … More Jamaica is a birding hotspot, but there’s more to it than that

The Reimagining Nanny Project: An open call for artists to participate

November 7, 2021

Nanny is the only woman among Jamaica’s National Heroes, and in many ways the most mysterious. When I think of Nanny, Queen of the Maroons, I think of mountain mists and waterfalls and dark hiding places and ambushes in the rain. Now there is an open call for artists to “reimagine” and interpret her spirit, … More The Reimagining Nanny Project: An open call for artists to participate

“The greenest since Independence”: Jamaica Labour Party defends its environmental record

November 6, 2021

As COP26 (the Climate Change Conference in Glasgow) winds on, and Caribbean leaders make wonderful speeches at the podium, the Jamaican Government has been feeling a little pressure at home from some Jamaicans (including myself) who are concerned that the speeches don’t quite match up to activities on the ground. Such activities would include, of … More “The greenest since Independence”: Jamaica Labour Party defends its environmental record

JET says major roadworks in Portland, Jamaica being undertaken with no public consultation and no environmental impact assessment

October 11, 2021

It is not only the famous beauty spot that is San San and the surroundings of Blue Lagoon, in Eastern Portland, that have been affected by the South Coast Highway Improvement Project. The Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) has been doing some research and found that there was no community consultation on large stretches of the … More JET says major roadworks in Portland, Jamaica being undertaken with no public consultation and no environmental impact assessment

Caribbean Tree Planting Week: A Cultural Celebration of Trees

June 30, 2021

Next week (July 5 to 11, 2021) is the first Caribbean Tree Planting Week. So what, you may ask? This is certainly not a symbolic week, but the result of over a year of activities and networking (Zoom was working overtime!) among citizens of all ages and backgrounds (including a major youth contingent) – in … More Caribbean Tree Planting Week: A Cultural Celebration of Trees