Tag: Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation

Are We Trying Hard Enough to Preserve Our Mangroves in Jamaica?

July 27, 2020

Today (July 26) is World Mangrove Day. What does this mean for Jamaica? Regrettably, the average Jamaican might regard mangrove areas as dirty, smelly, somewhat scary places (scary because endangered American Crocodiles live there) – and riddled with mosquitoes. What possible benefits could they bring to the island? Personally, I find wetland areas in Jamaica … More Are We Trying Hard Enough to Preserve Our Mangroves in Jamaica?

Minister Vaz’s Bid for Land in the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park: Can We Please Protect our Protected Areas?

June 18, 2020

Yesterday (June 16), a report by the excellent environmental reporter and Associate Editor of the Jamaica Observer Kimone Thompson appeared in the newspaper with the headline “Government wants to lease Holywell land.” The article did not mention the name of the government minister, who reportedly wished to lease a piece of land in the Blue and John … More Minister Vaz’s Bid for Land in the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park: Can We Please Protect our Protected Areas?

More COVID Reflections: The Sweet Sadness of Life Online

June 13, 2020

I wrote recently about my new obsession with housework (except for the cooking, regrettably, since I am culinarily challenged) during the Time of COVID. Another aspect of life at home is online life. Everything that we did before has expanded, and then some. The WhatsApp platform, which had already become a bit of a fixture … More More COVID Reflections: The Sweet Sadness of Life Online

Climate Change Project Funding Opportunities for Civil Society Organizations

March 8, 2020

I must try to share more of these kinds of opportunities online, as not everyone sees emails and social media posts. Here are a couple of funding opportunities for community-based organizations in the Caribbean. Thanks to Katherine Blackman from the Climate Change Division at the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation for sharing this.  … More Climate Change Project Funding Opportunities for Civil Society Organizations

Minister Daryl Vaz’s Remarks at the Pre-COP 25 Meeting and Launch of Jamaica’s Green Climate Fund Country Programme

October 29, 2019

On October 23, I joined the annual meeting organized by the Climate Change Division ahead of the upcoming UN Conference of Parties on Climate Change (COP 25) in Santiago, Chile. Our meeting was titled: Climate Action: The 2020 Agenda. We met at the very cool new AC Marriott Hotel in Kingston. It was very well attended by … More Minister Daryl Vaz’s Remarks at the Pre-COP 25 Meeting and Launch of Jamaica’s Green Climate Fund Country Programme

An Important Correction to the News Regarding the Escazú Agreement

October 2, 2019

Two days ago I wrote about Jamaica’s signing (and, as we thought, ratification) of the Escazú agreement at the United Nations – such a welcome development. Both the World Resources Institute and Jamaica Environment Trust issued statements welcoming the news. Unfortunately there was a technical error. In fact, the agreement was signed, but not ratified. … More An Important Correction to the News Regarding the Escazú Agreement

Jamaica To Sign Important Regional Agreement on Access to Information and Environmental Justice

May 26, 2019

I did mention to a few online friends that there was some good news contained in Minister Daryl Vaz’s speech at the launch of the Green Expo on May 22 – International Biodiversity Day – which I described in my last post. “Good news?” chorused the cynical Facebookers. “Really? Tell us!” Well yes – I … More Jamaica To Sign Important Regional Agreement on Access to Information and Environmental Justice

The Concretization of Jamaica Continues: Plans for the “New Negril” (A New Miami South Beach?)

March 22, 2019

It seems that the “concretization” of our coastline is to continue, and all in the name of tourism dollars. Yes, I know that’s not a real word, but it sprang to mind! I have been somewhat out of the loop for a while, but am trying to catch up. Below I am copying and pasting … More The Concretization of Jamaica Continues: Plans for the “New Negril” (A New Miami South Beach?)

B-H Paints Advocates Environmental Protection Through Coatings Technology

December 5, 2018

I recently wrote that the Jamaican private sector will have to step up in a big way and play its part in the Green Economy – sooner rather than later. Climate change, energy conservation/renewables, and environmentally sound practices in waste disposal etc. must be first and foremost in their minds. However, certain companies seem quite … More B-H Paints Advocates Environmental Protection Through Coatings Technology