Tag: climate change

Minister of Foreign Affairs Comments on Our Week of Disasters – and How We Can Help

September 21, 2017

Here in Jamaica, the sun is shining and a gentle breeze blows. But we cannot say the same thing for many of our Caribbean neighbours, who are struggling to pick up the pieces after Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Our Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Senator Kamina Johnson Smith has shared some timely information … More Minister of Foreign Affairs Comments on Our Week of Disasters – and How We Can Help

The Cost of Storms: Some Caribbean Islands to Receive Payouts from CCRIF After Irma’s Devastation

September 8, 2017

Here we are in Kingston, right on the very edge of Hurricane Irma’s huge spiral of destruction. Lightning flickers, the thunder is terrifying our dogs, and we have had very heavy rain for the last hour or two. The Caribbean has been thrown into turmoil in the wake of Irma, which is making its way up … More The Cost of Storms: Some Caribbean Islands to Receive Payouts from CCRIF After Irma’s Devastation

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Paying Close Attention to Hurricane Irma

September 8, 2017

Our region – our scattering of islands, large and small – has never felt so vulnerable in the face of the monstrous Hurricane Irma, which has devastated the little island of Barbuda, besides Saint Martin/Sint Maarten and the Virgin Islands. Irma is a little closer to us now, and right over the Turks and Caicos … More Ministry of Foreign Affairs Paying Close Attention to Hurricane Irma

Stakeholders Petition Jamaica House to Save Cockpit Country

August 22, 2017

As I mentioned recently, Jamaica House has opened a new petition portal – rather like President Obama’s White House petition page. Jamaica Environment Trust and a range of civil society/environmental advocates have opened a  petition to Save Cockpit Country. Yes, I have written about this many times before, and there have been public consultations, many … More Stakeholders Petition Jamaica House to Save Cockpit Country

Climate Change Public Forums This Weekend at the Denbigh Show

August 5, 2017

Who said climate change isn’t real? Jamaicans are staggering under the weight of the blistering summer heat. Yesterday (August 3) was the hottest day of the year, according to the Meteorological Service: 36.9º C at the Norman Manley International Airport. In fact, this was the highest recorded temperature since 1993.  Well, we have to keep … More Climate Change Public Forums This Weekend at the Denbigh Show

Planning for Climate Change Adaptation: Jamaican Government Holds Timely Workshops

July 30, 2017

This might sound dull, but it’s important. Planning is everything. This applies to the complex issue of climate change as much as anything else. So I was pleased to hear that the Climate Change Division of the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation recently held a two-day workshop for planners, budget officers and policy people. … More Planning for Climate Change Adaptation: Jamaican Government Holds Timely Workshops