Tag: climate change

A petition to try to repair the damage caused by road works in beautiful San San, Portland

October 20, 2021

For me, the worst thing is the total lack of consultation with the community. Not even an attempt to do so. For that reason alone, I ask you to kindly sign the petition created by resident Marc Goodman regarding the destruction of the once lovely hillside above the Blue Lagoon (Blue Hole) beauty spot. It … More A petition to try to repair the damage caused by road works in beautiful San San, Portland

Celebrating 76 years, the UN focuses on frontline heroes and partnerships

October 19, 2021

I have been thinking a lot about peace recently, and my thoughts will be in a follow-up post – including the critical role that our young people can and will play. I particularly like the United Nations’ alliterative theme for UN Day this year – all those “P”s! In Jamaica, as almost everywhere else, climate … More Celebrating 76 years, the UN focuses on frontline heroes and partnerships

The careful implementation of a Caribbean carbon pricing regime could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions but should be associated with a redistribution of any revenues

September 28, 2021

As the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) draws ever closer, I will try to focus more on some of the issues that Jamaica and the Caribbean should be paying attention to. Here is the latest from the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Jamaica, on the Jamaica Economy Panel’s (JEP) deliberations on carbon pricing. … More The careful implementation of a Caribbean carbon pricing regime could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions but should be associated with a redistribution of any revenues

Jamaica’s rivers and gullies are suffering from abuse

September 27, 2021

Today is World Rivers Day. It is observed on the fourth Sunday in September every year, I have learned. It was founded by a Canadian, Mark Angelo, a long-time river advocate who spoke at the United Nations in 2005 as part of its Water for Life campaign. Jamaican rivers are very different, of course, from … More Jamaica’s rivers and gullies are suffering from abuse

Concentrating minds: the Caribbean at the UN in 2021 was shorter and sharper

September 26, 2021

Fast forward to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) 2021 – and what a difference two years can make. In my last post, I offered a critique of Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley’s somewhat unfocused speech at the UNGA in 2019. Well, the world has changed. Ms. Mottley’s 2021 speech hit home and gave the … More Concentrating minds: the Caribbean at the UN in 2021 was shorter and sharper

A Caribbean woman causes a stir at the United Nations

September 26, 2021

Caribbean people love speeches. I have sat through so many speeches in Jamaica; most have been at least ten minutes too long. I have even written quite a few myself. Yes, Caribbean people know how to “talk the hind leg off a donkey,” as the saying goes. Some political leaders have been famous for it. … More A Caribbean woman causes a stir at the United Nations

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 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

Jamaica undertakes major assessment of its food systems ahead of global UN Food Systems Summit

September 7, 2021

Another important event tomorrow: the opening of consultations in Kingston on an assessment of Jamaica’s food systems – in other words, agricultural production and output. The workshop is organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Planning Institute of Jamaica. You can watch the opening ceremony on the PIOJ’s Facebook page tomorrow (Tuesday, … More Jamaica undertakes major assessment of its food systems ahead of global UN Food Systems Summit

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