How to make a difference - Climate change and energy - How to make a solar water heater from plastic water bottles

Retired mechanic Jose Alano invented a simple, cheap, energy saving rooftop solar water heater which is benefiting thousands of people. Here's how it's done...

José Alano is a model of creativity in tackling environmental problems in Brazil. In 2002, the retired mechanic transformed a pile of plastic bottles and cartons into a solar water heater. Since then, thousands of people in southern Brazil have benefited from Alano's invention, saving money while reducing waste.

The idea came from the lack of recycling collection services in his small home town of Tubarão. Refusing to throw plastic bottle, carton and other recyclable waste into the landfill, José Alano soon realised he had a problem: a room full of rubbish.

Read the whole story here.

Today's Editorial for May 11: Gov't must lead green movement

Caymanian Compass

In an interesting outcome to a recent caycompass.com online poll, over two-thirds of the respondents said they conserved, but they knew they could be greener.

If one accepts the principle that acknowledgement is the first step in solving a problem, it seems the Cayman Islands populace would like to get greener. The problem is, the Cayman Islands Government isn’t on the same page.

As one of the poll respondents pointed out, nearly all of Cayman’s green initiatives are driven by the private sector, not the government. When it comes the being green, the government is no better than a pale shade of lime.

The country has a disgraceful landfill situation, with a towering mountain of trash dominating the George Town landscape. Pollutants leaching from the dump are poisoning the waters of one of Cayman’s most precious resources, the North Sound.

Although successive governments have commissioned expensive reports, paid for trips to multiple places abroad to learn about waste management, all we’ve heard is talk...read full story.

Cayman wants to be green

Caymanian Compass

The vast majority of respondents in last week’s caycompass.com online poll say that when it comes to being green, they conserve but admit they could be “greener”.

Of the 297 respondents, 204 - or 68 per cent - when asked how green they were, answered that they conserved energy, but could do more for the environment.

One respondent boasted that he was greener than most of his neighbours, while another said: “I am very conservative, not wasteful. Re-use!”

One respondent echoed a sentiment often repeated in Cayman. “It would be helpful if there were more options here for recycling.”

Nine of the respondents, or 3 per cent of those who took part, gave themselves a pat on the back, saying “They don’t come any greener than me”, while 26 people, or 9 per cent of respondents, insisted they were not green at all and don’t plan on turning green...read full story.

Dragon Bay cleans up

Caymanian Compass

An Earth Day clean-up sponsored by Dragon Bay developer Michael Ryan ensured that bags of litter were removed from the North Sound coastline.

Items removed included numerous plastic bags and bottles, as well as shoes, car tires, car parts, and countless Styrofoam food containers.

Over 60 volunteers, including Dragon Bay and Ritz-Carlton staff as well as their families and friends, spread out over an area encompassing the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman resort, the North Sound Club and Safe Haven.

Leading up to the clean-up, Ryan implemented a programme of activities to encourage eco-friendly practices throughout the 360-acre resort community...read full story.

Earth Day Turns 40

Check out this interesting video celebrating 40 years of environmental history from Mother Nature Network.

Green Globe recipients honored

Cayman Net News

Representatives from Cobalt Coast and Compass Point Dive Resorts and the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park were honored with Green Globe certificates at the Living Green Fair on Friday 23 April. Both resorts have specially appointed “green teams” who implement and oversee their green programmes, according to the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism (DOT), and the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park was the first botanic park in the Caribbean region to gain certification.

The DOT describes Green Globe as a highly regarded certification for the travel and tourism industry that demonstrates a commitment to improving environmental performance and efficient operations...see full article.