Global Youth Panel connects kids on climate

By: Basia Pioro basia@cfp.ky
The Observer on Sunday

St Ignatius Year 13 student Madalena Alves and year 12 student Kelly Su, both studying for A-levels, are getting an unusual chance to connect with students around the world interested in the Copenhagen climate summit.

They have been participating in an international online forum called the Global Youth Panel after learning about it from their Geography teacher.

But as only two students on an island of many hundreds who could have taken part, they feel pretty lonely.

The girls are concerned that kids in Cayman aren’t learning enough about climate change or environmental topics in general...read full story.

New Floating Bar for Stingray City

By Joe Shooman
Caymanian Compass
joe@cfp.ky

A long–rumoured floating bar that will service swim–up customers at Stingray City has been given the green light.

The Liquor Licensing Board of Grand Cayman met 10 December and granted a retail liquor license and music and dancing license to Bernie Bush for the new operation. Mr. Bush explained that the idea had been well–received by the tourism industry in general.

“In talking to the tourism department and various members within the tourism establishment, a lot of people felt that this would be a product that would enhance Stingray City operations.”

Read the whole story here.

Limited Agreement is Reached as Copenhagen Summit Comes to an End

e360 Digest
Yale Environment 360

In a last-minute flurry of diplomatic activity, U.S. President Obama managed to piece together a limited agreement on climate change that falls short of even the modest expectations for the 12-day summit meeting in the Danish capital. Rather than emerging with a legally binding treaty to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions — the original goal of the conference — the deal brokered by Obama stipulates that countries should list their greenhouse gas reduction targets, that negotiators establish a fund to help poor nations deal with global warming, and that the world community aim to limit global temperature increases to 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 F) above pre-industrial levels...read full story.

Students in Grand Cayman Participate in the Global Youth Panel

We're pleased to report that six high school students in Grand Cayman, two from St. Ignatius Catholic School and four from Cayman International School, signed up to participate on the Global Youth Panel organized by Debatewise for the Copenhagen Climate Conference that began this week.

Despite technical difficulties, three of our panelists have managed to access Google Wave, the new technology being used for these debates, and they have been able to vote on a range of issues relevant to the conference. We hope to have the remaining three panelists online this weekend so that their voices can also be heard. Stay tuned to this blog for more updates on the conference.

Officials meet to discuss climate change strategies

Cayman Net News

Premier the Hon McKeeva Bush, the Minister of Environment the Hon Mark Scotland and members from the Enhancing Capacity for Adaptation to Climate Change (ECACC) project for the Caribbean UK Overseas Territories are meeting at the Marriott Beach Resort to discuss issues surrounding climate change.

The meeting will seek to define a national climate change adaptation strategy and action plan for the Cayman Islands.

According to Director of Environment Gina Ebanks-Petrie in an earlier report, her department, the National Climate Change Adaptation Working Group partner agencies and the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre are working to devise a strategy that will reduce the vulnerability of these islands to environmental impact...read full story.