Tag: sewage

Land of Wood and Water, or Land of Concrete and Congestion? A Jamaican biologist comments on the proposed Mammee River Development Project

February 2, 2024

Wendy Lee, who attended the January 11 public meeting on the proposed Mammee River Development Project convened by China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), is a Jamaican citizen, a St. Ann resident, and a biologist and environmentalist with over 45 years of experience. Biodiversity, simply put, means the huge variety of life on Planet Earth that … More Land of Wood and Water, or Land of Concrete and Congestion? A Jamaican biologist comments on the proposed Mammee River Development Project

Don’t stifle our voices, says citizens’ group to parliamentary committee

January 17, 2023

Is our democracy being watered down? I am beginning to wonder. On Thursday, January 19, 2023, the Parliamentary Committee on Infrastructure and Physical Development will meet at Gordon House in Kingston. The committee (which last met in November 2022 after a hiatus of one whole year) will consider the 2017 Provisional Development Order for Kingston … More Don’t stifle our voices, says citizens’ group to parliamentary committee

Jamaican citizens call for consultations with government over planned urban developments

December 7, 2022

Do we want participatory governance, or is it just a box that our government likes to check? Do government officials even want to bother with that box marked “consultations,” at all? Citizens Rights to the City (CRC) is a grouping formed fairly recently, comprising no less than 29 already well-established citizens groups and communities in … More Jamaican citizens call for consultations with government over planned urban developments

Citizens’ Rights to the City: Community representatives request a meeting with Kingston’s Mayor

March 12, 2022

Parts of the city of Kingston – the once-leafy suburbs in particular – are undergoing a wave of “development.” I put this word in quotation marks because, nine times out of ten, “development” (or “investment”) is basically about making money. Nothing wrong with that, you might say – but it cannot be unchecked and unregulated; … More Citizens’ Rights to the City: Community representatives request a meeting with Kingston’s Mayor

“The greenest since Independence”: Jamaica Labour Party defends its environmental record

November 6, 2021

As COP26 (the Climate Change Conference in Glasgow) winds on, and Caribbean leaders make wonderful speeches at the podium, the Jamaican Government has been feeling a little pressure at home from some Jamaicans (including myself) who are concerned that the speeches don’t quite match up to activities on the ground. Such activities would include, of … More “The greenest since Independence”: Jamaica Labour Party defends its environmental record

PM Holness, NEPA, KSAMC, NWA – Is Anyone Listening? Communities’ calls for Green, People-Friendly Urban Planning Go Unanswered

May 2, 2021

I wrote recently about the “uglification” of Kingston. While downtown Kingston is (thankfully) getting some of the attention it deserves, further uptown it’s a developer’s paradise, a free for all. This article from the Golden Triangle Neighbourhood Association – which represents everyone who lives, works, or does business in the area – points out that … More PM Holness, NEPA, KSAMC, NWA – Is Anyone Listening? Communities’ calls for Green, People-Friendly Urban Planning Go Unanswered

Designing a Water Fund for Kingston: Going Back to the Source

January 7, 2020

Jamaica – and in particular the densely populated capital city, Kingston – is suffering from a chronic water shortage. When it’s fairly rainy, the general public doesn’t even give the general issue a moment’s thought – although there are many communities, especially in rural areas, where water is by no means easily accessible. In times … More Designing a Water Fund for Kingston: Going Back to the Source

Jamaica Environment Trust Wants More Information on Government’s Plan for a Port Royal Cruise Ship Pier

February 11, 2019

On February 8 I saw a lovely tweet from Prime Minister Andrew Holness, regarding a floating cruise ship pier to be installed at Port Royal. It was accompanied by a video… Port Royal’s SeaWalk floating pier system is ready! Here’s a video from the manufacturer, showing it in operation at their dock. It is currently … More Jamaica Environment Trust Wants More Information on Government’s Plan for a Port Royal Cruise Ship Pier

Focus on Montego Bay, Shackelia’s Mission and Kemesha’s Inspiration: Jamaica Weekly Review: Wednesday, January 24, 2018

January 25, 2018

It has not been an easy week in Jamaica, I think it’s fair to say. Our island has had a bit of drama. On the plus side, the weather is gentle and warm… and I hear a pair of parrots chatting to each other in our back yard. Yes, we have urban parrots, woodpeckers, warblers … More Focus on Montego Bay, Shackelia’s Mission and Kemesha’s Inspiration: Jamaica Weekly Review: Wednesday, January 24, 2018

“Argument Dunn,” Goodbye to GSAT and King Evil’s Demise: Jamaica, November 5, 2017

November 5, 2017

It’s been a rainswept, slightly upside-down week or two, since I last wrote. Christmas seems a stone’s throw away, and in the short intervals between rain showers it has been rather pleasant. But oh, the dramas on our dramatic little island continue… Agriculture: I wish our Agriculture Minister wasn’t so full of bluster. Now he has … More “Argument Dunn,” Goodbye to GSAT and King Evil’s Demise: Jamaica, November 5, 2017