Tag: Trelawny

JET acknowledges the declaration of the Cockpit Country Protected Area, but..

March 23, 2022

On March 17, during the Budget Debate in Parliament, Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced that the Cockpit Country Protected Area has now been officially designated and gazetted. Is that the end of this long story, with its many twists and turns? Well, not quite. You can find the Environmental Impact Assessments on the National Environment … More JET acknowledges the declaration of the Cockpit Country Protected Area, but..

60 Reasons for Apologies and Reparations from Britain and the Royal Family

March 21, 2022

I am sorry I did not attach the “60 Reasons” referred to in the Letter from the Advocates Network that I posted last night. Here they are. I have noted suggestions that there could have been a petition that members of the public could sign onto, and that would certainly have been an option. However, … More 60 Reasons for Apologies and Reparations from Britain and the Royal Family

Cockpit Country, Jamaica: “This is an environmental and social justice issue”

January 8, 2022

There is much more to be said about the recent announcement on bauxite mining in the Cockpit Country, which I wrote about in a post earlier this week. Now environmental activist and Founder of the Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) Diana McCaulay (@dmccaulay) has shared her thoughts in a fairly long Twitter thread, which I am … More Cockpit Country, Jamaica: “This is an environmental and social justice issue”

House to house vaccination starts in Jamaica

October 25, 2021

Our health workers have been putting in the hours. Who can deny this – they have been dedicated, hard-working and we owe them a huge debt of gratitude. The United Nations in Jamaica decided to recognize them by encouraging government and private sector buildings to “light up blue” in recognition of the efforts of our … More House to house vaccination starts in Jamaica

Second “Blitz” vaccinates over 1,000 Jamaican elders

April 5, 2021

The Ministry of Health and Wellness really seem to love the word “blitz.” It sounds somewhat warlike to me, but I guess the idea is to really reach some numbers in terms of vaccination. There have been two “blitzes” so far at the National Arena in Kingston. Reports from the vaccinees (I am not sure … More Second “Blitz” vaccinates over 1,000 Jamaican elders

Public Consultation on Proposed Bauxite Mining in Cockpit Country: December 8

November 23, 2020

With the controversy over the proposed limestone quarrying and other developments at Puerto Bueno Mountain rattling on, many have asked: “What about Cockpit Country? Is that all over and done with?” Well, as I noted recently on this blog, stakeholders and concerned citizens have expressed concern that proper public consultations would take place, bearing in … More Public Consultation on Proposed Bauxite Mining in Cockpit Country: December 8

ICYMI in Jamaica, November 3, 2020: The Illegal Party Edition

November 5, 2020

We could also call this the “U.S. Election Edition,” since many Jamaicans have been nervously following that particular emotional rollercoaster. Why are Jamaicans so engaged? Well, as people say, “When the U.S. sneezes, we catch cold.” We are geographically so close and many of us have family there. South Florida is nicknamed “Kingston 21” – … More ICYMI in Jamaica, November 3, 2020: The Illegal Party Edition

Cockpit Country Stakeholders Call for Thorough EIA Consultation Process for Mining Permits

October 29, 2020

This press release from the Cockpit Country Stakeholders Group is not just about environmental issues. It is about transparency, proper consultation, and democracy. As we in Jamaica are living under restrictions during the COVID-19 era – notably, the limitations on gatherings – we cannot possibly attend in-person consultations (which have often lasted for hours in … More Cockpit Country Stakeholders Call for Thorough EIA Consultation Process for Mining Permits

A COVID-19 Update from Jamaica: What We Know, and What We Don’t Know

August 1, 2020

It’s hard to believe that this is the last day of July. The time seems to go slowly in one sense – when are we going to come out of the woods on COVID-19? – and at the same time seems to hurry along. Now, on the eve of the Emancipation/Independence national holidays (August 1 … More A COVID-19 Update from Jamaica: What We Know, and What We Don’t Know

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?