Cayman Eco Team Participates in International Coast Cleanup

As part of the Ocean Conservancy's International Coastal Cleanup on September 19th, Cayman Eco organized several teams in kayaks, courtesy of Tom at Cayman Kayaks, to clean up the Hyatt Canal.

The Ocean Conservancy's global initiative engages people to remove trash and debris from the world's beaches and waterways, identify the sources of debris, and change the behaviors that cause marine debris in the first place. Last year, nearly 400,000 volunteers collected more than 6.8 million pounds of trash in 100 countries and 42 US states during the 2008 International Coastal Cleanup — the world's largest volunteer effort of its kind.

In addition to cleaning up the Hyatt Canal, data cards were filled out to identify the nature of trash collected. This information will be forward to the Cayman Islands Department of Environment who is compiling the data for submission to the Ocean Conservancy's global database.

Green Living Magazine Online

The Fall 2009 edition of Green Living Magazine is available online. The issue includes articles and features designed, according to Editor Lindsay Borthwick, to move the dialogue from "It's easy being green" to "I've done the easy stuff. What more can I do?"

Beer bottle countertops: Latest trends in 'Green' home decor

Published on Friday, September 11, 2009
Cayman Net News

Every year concerns for the future of the planet grow greater and more consumers are seeking eco-friendly alternatives to reduce their carbon footprints. One trend that is leaving a “green” mark in homes is the choice of recycled material countertops over more conventional surfaces.

Green countertops are recycled or renewable surfaces that minimise impact on the environment during their production. They are comprised of different combinations of natural and man-made materials and often include some form of recycled glass. Many are attractive and viable alternatives to conventional countertop materials.

The latest entry into this category, Elements by Durcon, is creating quite a buzz as it’s a “green” countertop surface that also offers unmatched durability, cleanliness and aesthetic qualities...read full story.

"No Impact Man" opens in theatres today

Opening in theatres today, "No Impact Man" documents one family's attempt to live a no-impact lifestyle in New York City:

In Bookstores: Down to the Wire

David W. Orr is the Paul Sears Distinguished Professor of Environmental Studies and Politics at Oberlin College. His new book, Down to the Wire: Confronting Climate Collapse, is an eloquent assessment of climate destabilization and an urgent call to action.

Read more about it.

10 More Infographic Reasons Why You Should Go Green

Posted by Nathan / Sep 8, 2009 to Visualization
Flowing Data: Strength in Numbers

In this day and age, we should all be thinking about how we can better conserve the environment, because if we don't, well you know, the planet will die. In a follow-up to my previous eco-friendly list, here are 10 more infographics and visualizations on going green...read full story.

Any old metal .... recycle it!

By: Basia Pioro McGuire basia@cfp.ky
The Observer

In a small place like Cayman it can often seem obvious what needs to be done when faced with certain situations.

Take disposing of scrap metal for example. Since the George Town dump, affectionately known as Mt. Trashmore, takes in waste metal, it’s the first place you might think to take your demolition waste, an old water heater or broken down stove.

But not all of the Island’s scrap is headed to the dump. National Recycling, a local business with East End roots has an alternative, and it seems to be working. Since the February, the company has succeeded in sending four containers full of steel, copper, brass and aluminium off Island to Miami.

It’s definitely a case of thinking locally, and acting globally...read full story.

Currently on Our Radar …

Here's another roundup of energy and environment stories posted by R.M. Schneiderman at Green Inc:

1.) Japan promises to curb emissions - if India and China do, too.

2.) A surprising source of indoor air pollution.

3.) A brouhaha over Obama’s green jobs guru.

4.) Did global warming forestall the next Ice Age?

5.) Capturing carbon with coconuts.

Reconnecting with Nature

by Richard Conniff
3 Sept 2009
Yale Environment 360

Stephen R. Kellert, a social ecologist, has spent much of his career thinking and writing about biophilia, the innate human affinity for nature. His most recent book (with co-editors Judith H. Heerwagen and Martin L. Mador) is Biophilic Design: The Theory, Science, and Practice of Bringing Buildings to Life. It’s an exploration of how we cut ourselves off from nature in the way we design the buildings and neighborhoods where we live and work. And it’s an argument for re-connecting these spaces to the natural world, with plenty of windows, daylight, fresh air, plants and green spaces, natural materials, and decorative motifs from the natural world.

Read whole story here.

"Age of Stupid" Upcoming Premiere

What might happen if humanity doesn't act now to stop climate chaos? Find out when "Age of Stupid" opens in theatres on September 21st. To view the trailer, go to 350.org.

The Science of 350

Scientists say that 350 parts per million CO2 in the atmosphere is the safe limit for humanity. Learn more about 350 – what it means, where it came from, and how to get there.

No Impact Man Hits the Bookstores

Colin Beavan's new book "No Impact Man" hit the bookstores on September 1st. For more details and daily postings on the No Impact Project, see Colin's blog.

Caribbean countries at risk from rising seas

By Sherrt Vanwey, sherry@cfp.ky
Thursday 3rd September 2009
Caymanian Compass

New reports predicting a 3 to 4 feet increase in the global mean sea level by the end of the century is causing increasing concern in the Caribbean.

For countries like the Cayman Islands that already face flooding in some areas during heavy rainfall, Nick Robson, founder of the Cayman Institute, an independent think tank addressing climate change, said rising sea levels coupled with more intense hurricanes, and increased wave action equals disaster...read full story.