Jamaica has not (yet) signed some key environmental agreements. Why not?

“May the seas help us see healing and hope; May we sing out the ocean’s survival and revival.” Amanda Gorman On the evening of Saturday, March 4, 2023, the High Seas Treaty was agreed on at the United Nations headquarters in New York, after many years of negotiations. There is a good breakdown of the … More Jamaica has not (yet) signed some key environmental agreements. Why not?

“Deep Sea Matters”: Young Jamaican activists take a dive into the issue of deep sea mining

The ambitious event organised by a group of collaborators to highlight the issue of deep sea mining was highly successful. On a warm and very breezy lunchtime on Thursday, January 26 at the University of the West Indies Mona campus in Kingston, there was a full house audience consisting of university students, high school students, … More “Deep Sea Matters”: Young Jamaican activists take a dive into the issue of deep sea mining

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

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”

Cockpit Country: Government decides to permit a reduced mining area, but concerns remain

The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) announced yesterday (January 3, 2022) that a reduced area will be offered to the Noranda Jamaica Bauxite Partners II for mining close to the Cockpit Country under the highly controversial Special Mining Licence (SML) 173. Here’s the full text of NEPA CEO Peter Knight’s statement. This will exclude … More Cockpit Country: Government decides to permit a reduced mining area, but concerns remain

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

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

ICYMI in Jamaica, November 14, 2020: The Breakaway Edition

Well, the past week has been, to say the least, pretty intense. The ever-evolving Eta, as expected, turned around after wreaking havoc in Central America, and passed along to the west of us this time. Our already battered and bruised island had suffered enough. So now, roads have split in two, there is a major … More ICYMI in Jamaica, November 14, 2020: The Breakaway Edition

Partnership for Women’s Health and Wellbeing: Submission to Parliamentary Committee Considering Abortion Law Reform

On Tuesday, June 5, 2018, Juliet Cuthbert Flynn, a Government Member of Parliament, tabled the following motion in the House of Representatives: MOTION TABLED IN PARLIAMENT BY Juliet Cuthbert Flynn, MP, West Rural St. Andrew (JLP) “BE IT RESOLVED that this Honourable House consider the recommendations of the Abortion Policy Group, which was established to … More Partnership for Women’s Health and Wellbeing: Submission to Parliamentary Committee Considering Abortion Law Reform

Toxic Masculinity, Cockpit Country Nerves and Devil in the Details: Jamaica on Sunday, September 30, 2018

The “remnants” of a storm named Isaac descended on us, and now we have the remnants of Kirk. The rain is welcome! At the same time, we had an earthquake, widely felt in Kingston. And I am very, very late with this post – again! Forgive me but I have been intensely busy. Is tomorrow … More Toxic Masculinity, Cockpit Country Nerves and Devil in the Details: Jamaica on Sunday, September 30, 2018

#5in4: The Economic Growth Council Looking “Cool”

Five per cent annual GDP growth in four years. That’s what #5in4 means. Doable? Well, let’s see now… The Courtleigh Auditorium in New Kingston was my favorite cinema before it closed a few years back; it had cozy comfortable seats but not many filmgoers. This evening it was the venue for a special event organized … More #5in4: The Economic Growth Council Looking “Cool”

51% Coalition welcomes positive news for women’s development

We, the 51% Coalition,wholeheartedly welcome the Ministry of Education’s new policy which permits girls who leave school for reasons of pregnancy to return to class after the birth of their child. The 51% Coalition -Women in Partnership for Development and Empowerment through Equity –recognizes that Jamaican citizens are fully aware of the right to education of every child, … More 51% Coalition welcomes positive news for women’s development