How Can We Make People Care About Climate Change?

Yale Environment 360
July 9, 2015

Per Espen Stoknes, a Norwegian psychologist and economist, has been doing a lot of thinking about a question that has bedeviled climate scientists for years: Why have humans so far failed to deal with the looming threat posed by climate change?

That question is the focus of his recent book, What We Think About When We Try Not To Think About Global Warming, in which he analyzes what he calls the five psychological barriers that have made it difficult to deal realistically with the climate crisis. Those include: the distant nature of the problem (it’s far off in time and often in other parts of the globe); the Per Espen Stoknes doom-and-gloom scenarios about the impacts of climate change, which make people feel powerless to do anything about it; and the psychological defenses that people have to avoid feeling guilty about their own contributions to fossil fuel emissions. Read the whole story here.

Pope Francis, in Sweeping Encyclical, Calls for Swift Action on Climate Change

New York Times
June 18, 2015

Pope Francis on Thursday called for a radical transformation of politics, economics and individual lifestyles to confront environmental degradation and climate change, blending a biting critique of consumerism and irresponsible development with a plea for swift and unified global action.

The vision that Francis outlined in a 184-page papal encyclical is sweeping in ambition and scope: He describes relentless exploitation and destruction of the environment and says apathy, the reckless pursuit of profits, excessive faith in technology and political shortsightedness are to blame.

The most vulnerable victims, he declares, are the world’s poorest people, who are being dislocated and disregarded.

Francis, the first pope from the developing world, used the encyclical — titled “Laudato Si’,” or “Praise Be to You” — to highlight the crisis posed by climate change. He places most of the blame on fossil fuels and human activity, while warning of an “unprecedented destruction of ecosystems, with serious consequence for all of us” if corrective action is not taken swiftly. Developed, industrialized countries were mostly responsible, he says, and are obligated to help poorer nations confront the crisis. Read the whole story here.

Global CO2 emissions 'stalled' in 2014

BBC
March 13, 2015

The growth in global carbon emissions stalled last year, according to data from the International Energy Agency.

It marks the first time in 40 years that annual CO2 emissions growth has remained stable, in the absence of a major economic crisis, the agency said.

Annual global emissions remained at 32 gigatonnes in 2014, unchanged from the previous year.

But the IEA warned that while the results were "encouraging", this was "no time for complacency". Read the whole story here.

Clock ticks on Chamber’s cruise survey

Cayman News Service
October 16, 2014

The local Chamber of commerce is urging its members to take its on-line survey about the proposed cruise berthing facility in government before the web-based questionnaire closes at the end of this month. The Cayman Islands Government is proposing to develop a cruise berthing facility in the George Town harbour with two finger piers to accommodate the next generation of mega cruise ships. The construction of this new facility will require dredging of the sea floor, land reclamation activities, construction of retaining walls, drilling and blasting.

The debate about constructing cruise berthing facilities in George Town has raged for many years and the former UDP government committed to develop the facility during the last administration but the project was derailed as a result of a number of issues, but mostly because of the government’s failure to follow due process in its efforts to find a private sector partner to not only construct but also finance the project.

The issue has however remained controversial and although the cruise tourism sector is extremely eager to see the piers built not everyone in the tourism business is supportive and the wider public is divided over the need for such a costly project. Even though government will be seeking a partner to finance the project in the first instance, the investment will be recoupled from the cruise ship passenger fees.

The PPM is committed to the project and has already spent several million dollars on consultants, the strategic business cases and the environmental impact assessment but the Chamber is seeking a definitive position on the project from its more than 700 members.

“This survey has been developed to seek your views on the proposed project and the likely potential impacts associated with the construction and operational phases,” said Johann Moxam as he urged people to participate in the survey and make their voice heard. “All information provided will be kept confidential and will assist the Chamber Council with determining the membership's collective view on this proposed infrastructure project.”

See the survey here.

Sister Islands ‘safe’ from mega-resorts

CNS Business
September 19, 2014

Deputy Premier Moses Kirkconnell, who has responsibility for the Sister Islands, says the Cayman Islands’ new National Conservation Law adds significant protection from unsuitable or inappropriate developments. The DP also said he supports the establishment of a strategic development plan for Cayman Brac and Little Cayman to ensure that future developments on the two smaller Cayman Islands continue to align with the overarching economic, social, environmental and heritage objectives for the islands.

In light of reports from the Bahamas, where the construction of the 343-room Resorts World Bimini as well as a cruise dock on the tiny island of North Bimini has dismayed locals and environmentalists, Kirkconnell said that he considers that the current planning laws are robust enough to prevent unsuitable development in the Sister Islands. Read the whole story here.

 

Small battery collection added to DEH recycling programme

Cayman 27

August 24, 2014

Small batteries are now being collected by the Department of Environmental Health’s (DEH) recycling programme. Batteries used in cellphones, cameras, pagers, two-way radios, calculators, small cordless tools, and other personal digital devices can be recycled.

This is in addition to the department’s current programme of collecting lead-acid batteries used in cars, boats, heavy equipment and other large vehicles.  The Ministry of Health, Sports, Youth & Culture (HSY&C) and the Department of Environmental Health (DEH) are urging everyone to support recycling.

Minister responsible for Environmental Health, Hon. Osbourne Bodden noted: “Recycling is a key component to reduce overall waste volume.  I am pleased that the Department of Environmental Health is adding another element to the recycling programme.”

The DEH is asking the public not to throw the batteries in the household trash, but to bring the batteries to the DEH battery recycling containers which will be located at the supermarkets, schools and central points throughout the three islands. Read the whole story here.