Plan for Cayman to go green

Cayman 27
13 January 2014

Could the days of fossil fuels be over in Cayman? Billionaire entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson is looking to wean ten islands off those sources of energy.

“I am having people come to me and say we cannot afford to pay our mortgage and electrical bill this month. We have to decide – do we pay our light bill or our mortgage,” said Nicholas Robson of Cayman Institute.

Environment Minister Hon. Wayne Panton tells Cayman 27 he and Finance Minister Hon. Marco Archer will attend next month’s summit in the BVI.

Read the whole story here.

New day dawns for nature

Cayman News Service

16 October 2013

As a genuine conservation enthusiast, the new environment minister is set to be a true champion in the Cabinet for Cayman’s precious and dwindling natural resources. Wayne Panton has given a commitment to pass the much anticipated National Conservation Law before the end of the year, to continue the work on enhancing marine parks, adopt the Department of Environment's climate change policy and to review and implement the CITES law. The new minister has also found money for the DoE to replace critical conservation staff and to double the National Trust’s budget. Panton has made it clear that from now on the environment will be considered before development decisions instead of being an afterthought.

He told the Legislative Assembly on Friday afternoon that preserving the local natural environment was not just about the responsibility; government has to protect the resources for future generations but it was also critically important to the tourism industry.  Read the whole story here.

Governor backs environment

Cayman News Service

12 September 2013

After more than a decade of waiting, 2013 could be the year that Cayman’s natural land environment finally receives lawful protection. Minister Wayne Panton, who has responsibility for the environment, has already made a commitment to steer the National Conservation Law through before the year is out. Now the new governor has added her voice to calls for responsible management of the local environment. During her acceptance speech in the Legislative Assembly last Friday, the natural world was one of the issues singled out by Helen Kilpatrick. Although it is not part of her office’s direct responsibility, the UK’s latest representative said she was committed to the management of the islands’ natural resources.

Department of Environment Director Gina Ebanks-Petrie and her team have lived in hope that the National Conservation Law (NCL) will make it onto the statute books before it is too late, and they have persistently warned that the ecological clock has been ticking down for many of the islands' unique species, which are in serious danger of disappearing without proper protection.

Ebanks-Petrie has also warned that Cayman cannot continue to develop without giving the same consideration to environmental issues as it does socio and economic ones, and argued against continuing to allow major projects to begin without carrying out environmental impact assessments. Read the whole story here.

The role of the environment a complex question

What’s Hot Magazine
July 4, 2013

The role the environment plays in our lives is an interesting one. It is complex. Looking at the recent split of portfolios the Cayman Islands Government has undertaken, in the same manner as her international counterparts when a new government comes to power, the coupling of the environment portfolio is often an uneasy bedfellow.

The reason for this? Well, the environment has a plethora of meanings that are not always easy to define. Let’s compare the environment and the role it has on our lives, in comparison to some of its political adversaries. Read whole story here.

National Trust expands mastic reserve

National Trust for the Cayman Islands
July 2, 2013

An additional 8 acres has been added to the Mastic Reserve bringing the total amount of land protected by the National Trust in the Reserve to 843 acres. Aiming to protect and rejuvenate a very rare habitat of great importance to Grand Cayman and its biodiversity, the Trust hopes to acquire a total of 1,397 acres through additional fundraising for its Land Reserve Fund.

"The Mastic Reserve is key to the conservation of Cayman Islands biodiversity. Preserving this land is vital in protecting our native plants and animals. The forest performs many other functions; it enhances rainfall and reduces run-off, helping to maintain our groundwater and protect our reefs and it keeps the island cooler; it removes carbon and pollutants from the atmosphere, and it provides locals and visitors alike with a unique opportunity to connect with nature," said Stuart Mailer, Field Officer of the National Trust and renowned Mastic tour guide.

Guided tours of the Mastic Trail are available Tuesday through Friday, and occasional weekends. For details on the National Trust's Land Reserve Fund or guided Mastic tours contact info@nationaltrust.org.ky or call 749-1121.

UWI Offering Climate Change Course

Caymanian Compass
14 June 2013

A new continuing education certificate course in climate change will be offered through the University of the West Indies Open Campus at the beginning of the next academic year.  

The programme is aimed not only at teachers and educators, but also all those involved in industries that will be most directly affected by climate change, such as tourism, agriculture, water management and construction. The programme will give participants a thorough understand of what climate change is, as well as enabling them to examine the implications it will have on their lives.  

The programme consists of four courses, which will be delivered over two semesters. Because it is conducted through the Open Campus university, the programme is conducted online, without the need to physically attend classes.  

The initial run of the programme, which will be a pilot run, will take just 25 students. No prior qualifications are required to enrol on the course and fees for the pilot run will be reduced to $125 per course. Thereafter fees will be $250 per course.  

Applications must be submitted before 30 June.

See full story...