Tag: Caribbean

ICYMI in Jamaica: November 21, 2020, The Bad Dog Edition

November 21, 2020

It has been quite a week. The debate over the threatened mining operation in Puerto Bueno Mountain (Dry Harbour Mountain) dominated much of the local media (including social media), with many radio interviews, discussions, letters to the editor and columns, such as this piece by environmentalist Peter Espeut (who does not mince his words). Besides … More ICYMI in Jamaica: November 21, 2020, The Bad Dog Edition

IDB urges Caribbean economies to invest in infrastructure to secure post-COVID growth

November 20, 2020

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has just released its latest Quarterly Bulletin, which you can download at this link. The analysis for Jamaica can be found at pages 58 – 63. The IDB notes: “The shock to Jamaica’s economic output in 2020 is likely to be the largest on record,” but adds: “The Government of … More IDB urges Caribbean economies to invest in infrastructure to secure post-COVID growth

ICYMI in Jamaica, November 3, 2020: The Illegal Party Edition

November 5, 2020

We could also call this the “U.S. Election Edition,” since many Jamaicans have been nervously following that particular emotional rollercoaster. Why are Jamaicans so engaged? Well, as people say, “When the U.S. sneezes, we catch cold.” We are geographically so close and many of us have family there. South Florida is nicknamed “Kingston 21” – … More ICYMI in Jamaica, November 3, 2020: The Illegal Party Edition

Just a Quick Bird Note: Saturday, October 17 is a Special Birding Day

October 15, 2020

Birders the world over are always happy to have an excuse, an impetus, an encouragement to dash out there and start looking for birds (and counting them). Bird lists are wonderful. And for Caribbean bird sleuths, whether amateurs, professionals or just interested, there is eBird Caribbean, a site where you can contribute to the knowledge … More Just a Quick Bird Note: Saturday, October 17 is a Special Birding Day

ICYMI in Jamaica, October 13, 2020: The Kindness Edition

October 14, 2020

Well, Hurricane Delta went away (taking most of Bluefields Beach in Westmoreland away with it) and we are left to reflect, once more, on our own human fragility in the face of climate change and COVID-19. Some of us would rather pretend, however, and sip on Bacardi or whatever their favorite drink is, without a … More ICYMI in Jamaica, October 13, 2020: The Kindness Edition

ICYMI in Jamaica: September 29, 2020 – The Law and Order Edition

September 30, 2020

Well, the past week has been – I would say, chaotic. We point fingers at the Americans and the British madly partying during the pandemic, but we have had some shameful incidents ourselves. What has gone wrong? COVID-19 protocols are being flouted uptown, downtown and in rural areas. Gang violence seems to be on the … More ICYMI in Jamaica: September 29, 2020 – The Law and Order Edition

BirdsCaribbean Deeply Concerned Over Threats to Grenada’s Environment from Three Damaging Developments

August 30, 2020

This is not the first time I have pointed to the major threats to Caribbean coastlines (in particular, mangroves, swamp forest and wetlands in general) from developments, largely of the tourism variety: fancy villas, all inclusives, waterparks, spas, golf courses, marinas, cruise ship ports, and more. More often than not they are funded by “overseas … More BirdsCaribbean Deeply Concerned Over Threats to Grenada’s Environment from Three Damaging Developments

ICYMI: August 9, 2020: A Pair of Desert Boots, A SWAT Team, and More Weak Fences

August 10, 2020

Well, the past week has been pretty intense, with politics, crime and COVID-19 vying for the headlines (and sometimes getting mixed up together). Click on the highlights for links to the stories. Your feedback is always welcome! Agriculture: Here’s a good piece in Forbes magazine about the challenges for Jamaica’s small farmers in the face of climate change … More ICYMI: August 9, 2020: A Pair of Desert Boots, A SWAT Team, and More Weak Fences

ICYMI in Jamaica: Much Ado About Dreadlocks, INDECOM Chief Steps Down, and JUTC Needs to Shape Up: August 2, 2020

August 3, 2020

August 1 – Emancipation Day – is as good a day as any to restart writing my weekly news posts. I have missed doing them, actually. They help me (and hopefully you) keep a finger on the pulse of things. So, it’s a humid evening, an hour to go before curfew kicks in at 11. … More ICYMI in Jamaica: Much Ado About Dreadlocks, INDECOM Chief Steps Down, and JUTC Needs to Shape Up: August 2, 2020