Copenhagen climate summit is crucial

By David Suzuki with Faisal Moola
David Suzuki Foundation

The buzz around the December UN climate summit in Copenhagen is increasing. Some of you may be wondering what it’s all about. Why is this one meeting so important? And does it really matter if it succeeds or fails?

The answer is that it matters a lot, especially if we want to tackle global warming rather than just talking and arguing about it.

Global warming is a global problem requiring global solutions. The atmosphere doesn't stay within federal or provincial boundaries. It is a global commons. Greenhouse gases emitted in Canadian provinces mix with those from every other part of the world and affect everyone. A molecule of carbon is a molecule of carbon. It has the same impact on the environment whether it came from a smokestack in Toronto or a taxi’s tailpipe in Kuala Lumpur.
Every nation must do its part. And each country needs reassurance that others are also acting. We need a global agreement that is legally binding with rules clearly outlined....read full story.

More 350.org photos from Grand Cayman

Sophie Halford from the Cayman Islands Department of Environment posted these and several other photos on 350.org's photostream, as part of the International Day of Climate Action on October 24th. Taken at Mixing Bowl, North Wall, in Little Cayman the photos show examples of the coral bleaching (the white patches) that have recently occurred around the Cayman Islands. As Sophie points out, this could happen more and more frequently if global temperatures continue to rise, which would be very bad news for the reef communities and the dive tourism industry of
the Cayman Islands.



A photo by Darren Bowyer on Seven Mile Beach in Grand Cayman shows the 350 message at a sea swim of over 150 participants.

Barkers’ Beach trash mars tourist experience

By Cliodhna Doherty, cliodhna@cfp.ky
Caymanian Compass

A West Bay tourism business operator is calling for a regular debris management programme to be enforced at Barkers Beach.

“I have to constantly explain to tourists why they see so much trash on the beach and that it’s because the current brings it on and it gets washed up,” explained owner of Spirit of the West horseback riding business Paul Rivers. “They always ask ‘Isn’t anyone going to clean it up?’ and, honestly, there are some clean–ups but they are not on a regular basis.”

Mr. Rivers brought up the issue at a recent tourism related meeting in West Bay during which he asked Acting Director of Tourism Shomari Scott to sanction a programme to beautify and manage Barkers Beach in West Bay...read full story.

Cayman Eco & Friends Participate in 350.org's International Day of Climate Action

Thanks to everyone who got up at the crack of dawn this gorgeous morning to show their concern about climate change. We had a great turn-out despite the very short notice. And a special thank you to Hew's Janitorial who composed the entire "0" in this shot!

350.org is an international campaign dedicated to building a movement to unite the world around solutions to the climate crisis--the solutions that science and justice demand.

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. Read More »

The World’s First Energy Positive Office Building

by Ariel Schwartz, 10/07/09
Inhabit

For most sustainability-minded architects, a net zero energy building is the holy grail. But Elithis Tower, located in Dijon, France, has surpassed the net zero energy ideal to become the first energy positive office building, meaning it creates more power than it uses. The building, which was designed by Arte Charpentier Architects, also produces six times fewer greenhouse gas emissions than traditional office structures...read full story.

No Trash Week: October 4 - 10

Celebrate No Trash Week by not making any! Get some friends together, advertise to your email address book, announce it on your blog, post flyers (previously used paper, of course) at your work and school! Tell everyone it's happening, then participate!

How do you participate? Strive to make no trash for an entire week. Try your best, but don't worry too much about getting a perfect score, especially if this is your first attempt to go garbage-free...read full story.