Tag: Windsor Research Centre

The Cockpit Country issue: a prospecting licence in Jamaica’s Maroon Lands?

November 3, 2021

Cockpit Country is under threat, as never before. Here is another development, which needs some clarification and explanation. Jamaica Environment Trust shared their new concerns, today. JET calls on the Government to honor its commitments not to mine Cockpit Country The Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) is dismayed that after the Prime Minister’s announcement in 2017 … More The Cockpit Country issue: a prospecting licence in Jamaica’s Maroon Lands?

Running with Butterflies

September 12, 2021

The recent “no movement days” and the sudden quiet of lockdowns has made us engage in more unusual activities than usual. For me, it has been clearing out cupboards and chasing butterflies. For my husband it has been painting the walls and drastically cutting back a flowering bush (without my permission). Yes, chasing butterflies. We … More Running with Butterflies

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

What Is It About Trees That Jamaicans Don’t Like?

October 5, 2019

Happy National Tree Planting Day! Many years ago, we moved into our house in what was then a relatively green, leafy area of uptown Kingston. Charles, who used to clean up our yard, insisted that we should cut down every single tree and bush. Otherwise, thieves and murderers would find places to hide behind them, … More What Is It About Trees That Jamaicans Don’t Like?

One Year Later, Many Lingering Concerns Over Cockpit Country

November 20, 2018

There is so much unfinished business related to the Cockpit Country, one year later. I seem to be using this cliché so often recently: “The devil is in the details.” But it’s true. It is not enough to make a declaration, pass it on to the relevant agencies and then those agencies simply drag their … More One Year Later, Many Lingering Concerns Over Cockpit Country

Cockpit Country Worries: Community Members Voice Ongoing Concerns Over Mining on Periphery

November 1, 2018

Cockpit Country is fragile. It remains under threat from bauxite mining, which is pressing around the edges of the declared Cockpit Country Protected Area. Just a month ago, I noted in my news summary: “I fear that, while the “ground-truthing” of Cockpit Country continues (the measuring, step by step, of the boundaries) there will be … More Cockpit Country Worries: Community Members Voice Ongoing Concerns Over Mining on Periphery

Cockpit Country Communities Raise Concerns About Protected Area

July 11, 2018

Earlier today, I was talking to a friend about outstanding concerns relating to the Cockpit Country boundaries. By the time I got home, coincidentally, the following press release from Jamaica Environment Trust had landed in my inbox. It’s very important to have this direct feedback from the communities affected, and this detailed response shows that … More Cockpit Country Communities Raise Concerns About Protected Area

A Cup Soup, A Bridge, A Tunnel and a Pipe Organ: Jamaica on Wednesday, February 21, 2018

February 22, 2018

The past week has been…well, one of some uncertainty, rather like the weather (odd little showers, appearing and disappearing). Mixed signals, perhaps. There is a lot to think about, and to discuss. Caribbean: The Caribbean Export Development Agency and Caribbean Development Bank have joined forces to help provide easier access to finance for women-owned businesses – … More A Cup Soup, A Bridge, A Tunnel and a Pipe Organ: Jamaica on Wednesday, February 21, 2018

JET Says: Please Respond to the Cockpit Country Petition, Mr. Prime Minister!

October 31, 2017

It is now the end of October. Please see the Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) press release, reminding Mr. Holness. It seems that the just-concluded by-election campaign distracted him… For further information on Cockpit Country, please visit https://savecockpitcountry.org   JET CALLS ON THE PRIME MINISTER TO RESPOND TO THE COCKPIT COUNTRY PETITION Following the successful collection of over … More JET Says: Please Respond to the Cockpit Country Petition, Mr. Prime Minister!

Stakeholders Petition Jamaica House to Save Cockpit Country

August 22, 2017

As I mentioned recently, Jamaica House has opened a new petition portal – rather like President Obama’s White House petition page. Jamaica Environment Trust and a range of civil society/environmental advocates have opened a  petition to Save Cockpit Country. Yes, I have written about this many times before, and there have been public consultations, many … More Stakeholders Petition Jamaica House to Save Cockpit Country