Tag: water

The irony of “sustainable tourism” in the Caribbean

May 9, 2024

Last month, the Caribbean Tourism Organization held its Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development in St. George’s, Grenada. Its theme was: The 5 P’s for a Legacy of Caribbean Tourism Sustainability: People, Planet, Prosperity, Purpose, Partnership Was it all just “blah blah blah” with the latest catch phrases thrown in; or are those who attend these … More The irony of “sustainable tourism” in the Caribbean

A mysterious occurrence at Jamaica’s Blue Lagoon (and an explanation)

January 17, 2024

Blue Lagoon (or “Blue Hole” as it is often called locally), in Portland, eastern Jamaica, was declared a National Monument in August, 2018. According to the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sport, the area protected includes “all those bodies of water up to the high water mark during high and low tide known as … More A mysterious occurrence at Jamaica’s Blue Lagoon (and an explanation)

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

The new Digicel building under construction in downtown Kingston

On World Cities Day, some thoughts on Jamaica’s capital city from Wayne Campbell

November 1, 2023

Today was World Cities Day. I had half-forgotten, as we are all busy talking about our disaster preparedness (or lack of it) this week after a 5.6 earthquake hit us (plus aftershocks) yesterday. I am glad that my friend and fellow blogger Wayne Campbell remembered it, and wrote this piece about our beloved city of … More On World Cities Day, some thoughts on Jamaica’s capital city from Wayne Campbell

Unsustainable living in St. Andrew, Jamaica

August 21, 2023

The search for a more manageable place to live has so far been depressing from the consumer point of view. What is worse however is the realisation that the lifestyle many Jamaicans aspire to is simply unsustainable, as the “development” of St. Andrew continues unabated. So much has been sacrificed already. One day perhaps we will reclaim our communities… … More Unsustainable living in St. Andrew, Jamaica

Public access to beaches is a constitutional right, says Citizens’ Rights to the City

August 11, 2023

Citizens’ Rights to the City, an alliance of 29 neighbourhood organisations across Kingston, Jamaica and its environs, strongly endorses the work of the Jamaica Beach Birthright Environmental Movement (JaBBEM) as they advocate for guaranteed public access to the island’s beaches – which are critical ecosystems and an important part of our cultural and natural heritage. It’s Jamaicans’ constitutional right! … More Public access to beaches is a constitutional right, says Citizens’ Rights to the City

Sustainable Hydroponics Production to increase food security in Jamaica

April 6, 2023

I am currently compiling a list of topics that I believe the Jamaican Government should be talking more about, educating the public about (and taking action on). Not only environmental topics (although the existential ot only in relation to the environment. It is getting quite long. One of these is sustainable, climate-smart agriculture in all … More Sustainable Hydroponics Production to increase food security in Jamaica

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

Submission by Jamaican citizens to Parliament regarding developments in Kingston and St. Andrew

December 7, 2022

In my last blog post, I mentioned the submission made to the Infrastructure and Physical Development Committee of Jamaica’s Houses of Parliament, dated November 9, 2022, by Citizens Rights to the City (a conglomeration of 29 citizens associations and communities). The citizens had made a submission in November, 2021. The submission was not discussed at … More Submission by Jamaican citizens to Parliament regarding developments in Kingston and St. Andrew

Dust upon dust: Jamaican rural dwellers continue to suffer from highway construction

April 17, 2022

We often use the words “justice” and “environment/climate change” (depending on the situation) together – not opposing each other, but closely linked. In my last blog post, I shared Professor Carolyn Cooper’s thoughts on the closure of a very popular beach near Kingston for the past two years. This is an environmental injustice. The quality … More Dust upon dust: Jamaican rural dwellers continue to suffer from highway construction