Natural Resources Conservation Authority

C-CAM holds its first environmental Youth Forum at Salt River, Jamaica

March 29, 2024

The Portland Bight Discovery Centre, on the fringe of wetlands at Salt River in Clarendon, is the “HQ” of environmental education for the Caribbean Coastal Area Management Foundation (C-CAM). I have attended several activities there, during which community members and schoolchildren of all ages were involved and enjoying the process of learning. As I myself … More C-CAM holds its first environmental Youth Forum at Salt River, Jamaica

Environmentalist Diana McCaulay’s tribute to a Jamaican legal giant, who led a landmark case against a major hotel development

February 12, 2024

There have been many outpourings of regret and sadness at the recent passing of a retired eminent lawyer, Justice C. Dennis Morrison. Apart from his tremendous legal skills, I understand that he was much loved and appreciated for his empathy, humour and his fundamental humanity. Here I am focusing on Justice Morrison’s role as a … More Environmentalist Diana McCaulay’s tribute to a Jamaican legal giant, who led a landmark case against a major hotel development

Citizens Rights to the City insists on transparency, accountability from lax Government agencies

January 16, 2024

The issues surrounding the proper monitoring, oversight and approval of the numerous building projects springing up all over Kingston & St. Andrew neighbourhoods have been accumulating for some time now. To use a completely non-tropical metaphor, imagine rolling a snowball uphill. As it goes, it picks up more and more snow; in the end, it … More Citizens Rights to the City insists on transparency, accountability from lax Government agencies

The public is invited to a consultation on a large housing project in St. Ann, Jamaica

January 10, 2024

I am putting the word out. Here comes another huge project, in Mammee Bay, St. Ann, that will have a major impact on the North coast (already overbuilt with mega-hotels and private villa developments) of Jamaica’s environment and implications for the preservation of Jamaica’s heritage. A public meeting will take place on Thursday, January 11. … More The public is invited to a consultation on a large housing project in St. Ann, Jamaica

Is this justice for the citizens of Rio Cobre?

February 4, 2023

There is something called “environmental justice.” It’s not just another clever catch phrase. It is a real, and growing concern. When this release from Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) landed in my inbox recently, I saw this as a classic example of the struggle that citizens worldwide are engaged in for their environmental rights. And a … More Is this justice for the citizens of Rio Cobre?

Citizens Associations call for Moratorium on High Density Developments in Low Density Communities

January 26, 2022

It has become a nightmare in many areas of uptown Kingston. Many of our old single-family homes have been torn down, to be replaced with cold, ugly high-rise apartment blocks, squeezed into small spaces. And no. This is not just about upset, better-off citizens who are seeing their once quiet, green neighborhoods transformed almost overnight … More Citizens Associations call for Moratorium on High Density Developments in Low Density Communities

The environment AND climate change: shuffled out in the Jamaican Government’s “reshuffle”

January 17, 2022

Apart from the collective “meh” among most Jamaicans that greeted the Prime Minister’s “Cabinet reshuffle” announced a few days ago, one thing struck me immediately. Where has the Ministry of Housing, Urban Renewal, Environment and Climate Change gone? It seemed to be settling down a little, under the leadership of Minister Pearnel Charles, Jr., who … More The environment AND climate change: shuffled out in the Jamaican Government’s “reshuffle”

Government funding withdrawn from Jamaica Environment Trust’s 24-year-old Schools Environment Programme

September 15, 2021

The news that landed in my inbox today filled me with mixed emotions (mainly, anger). Despite the enormous success of the programme over the years, the Schools Environment Programme (SEP) has finally had the rug pulled from under it by its main donor, the Natural Resources Conservation Authority (NRCA). The Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) is … More Government funding withdrawn from Jamaica Environment Trust’s 24-year-old Schools Environment Programme

Participants in Jamaica Environment Trust’s Schools’ Environment Programme show resilience, overcome challenges

April 11, 2021

It was my pleasure recently to be invited to join the panel of judges for two environmental competitions for young people. The first was for the Schools’ Environment Programme, which Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) has hosted for over twenty years now (since 1997). JET itself is celebrating its thirtieth anniversary this year. Congratulations to Lauren … More Participants in Jamaica Environment Trust’s Schools’ Environment Programme show resilience, overcome challenges

Open Letter to the Prime Minister of Jamaica: Youth Request Greater Commitment to Environmental Sustainability

November 20, 2020

Nine youth groups, headed by the Jamaica Climate Change Youth Council, have sent an Open Letter to the Prime Minister of Jamaica, Most Hon. Andrew Holness. Here is the text, which they shared online today (November 19, 2020). Congratulations to the driving force behind this, #Youth4PuertoBueno. Dear Prime Minister: On behalf of Jamaicans who have … More Open Letter to the Prime Minister of Jamaica: Youth Request Greater Commitment to Environmental Sustainability