ECCO Magazine Sept-Oct 2013

SEPT-OCT 2013

A Bee’s LIFE Eco-crafts for kids

Diana McCaulay

50 years of mismanagement & devastation

The Recycling Issue

Editor’s Note September 2013

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elcome to the launch issue of ECCO Magazine’s bi-monthly digital magazine. We couldn’t be more excited to have made it to this point. Here at ECCO Magazine, we have been working assiduously for some time now to bring to you a magazine with content that would motivate you to Get Up, Stand Up and take action to preserve our environment.

Within these pages, you’ll find numerous answers to the many questions we are asked each day: “As just one person, how can I make things better?” and “Is the state of Jamaica’s environment that bad? I see trees everywhere.” Our writers have done extensive research and we are brimming with excitement to share these articles with you. Once you’ve read these articles, we believe you will see the true state of our environment, not only in Jamaica but also across the globe.

In addition to our bi-monthly magazine, we also host Twitter chats twice per month. These chats aim to help you as our valued audience get a chance to interact with locally and globally recognized experts and leaders.

We openly invite you to absorb and employ the personal and professional views of our experts. The experts will help you find your way to a more environmentally friendly lifestyle. We hope you will join us to create and sustain a larger conversation about environmental awareness.

We would like to thank you all for your support. We are grateful to our long term followers for continuing to back us. We welcome the new followers as you begin your journey to a greener lifestyle more in harmony with the environment. As always, we urge each and every one of you to eat, sleep, and dream green. We have a long road ahead of us, but with our combined efforts, we will surely turn the tides on environmental negligence. Now go outside and hug a tree. We are kidding! #LiveGreen #LiveECCO.

Shelly-Ann Dunkley

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Table of Contents Ambassabeth: an eco-escape with Ancestral Memories

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A Bees life

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CSR, Sustainability & Green

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The Jamaican environment:

50 years of mismanagement & devastation

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7 tips to help reduce your negative impact on marine life

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A Closer look into the dynamism of Diana McCaulay

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2 Simple Eco-crafts for kids

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Benefits of running

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Top 5 Environmental Problems in rhe Caribbean

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Tips to proper waste management

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Contributors Page Chief Editor Shelly-Ann Dunkley

Contributors Gavin Campbell Tameka Coley Luciana Gordon-Smith Patina Rankine Julie Urlaub Corey Breneisen

Graphic Designs Stand Out Ideas ECCO Magazine Limited 26 Collins Green Ave Kingston 5 Tel: 378-1257 / 341-5439 Email: info@eccomagazine.com Facebook: ECCOMagazine Twitter: ECCOMagazine The information in this magazine is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or professional advice. Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of material published in the magazine, the Publisher can accept no responsibility for the claims made by contributors and/or advertisers. Copyright of all material published in ECCO Magazine remains with ECCO Magazine Limited.

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Am bassabeth

an eco-escape with ancestral memories Written by the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica (EFJ) and the Forest Conservation Fund (FCF)

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or the past eighteen (18) years on Emancipation Day (August 1), the Bowden Pen Farmers Association (BPFA) has hosted “Ancestral Memories” (AM) - a showcase of Jamaican culture and heritage. It includes a display of “ol' time sinting”, dancing, music and food.

This year participants were treated to the sights and sounds of Kumina and the Jolly Boys Mento Band. Traditional dishes included bussu and janga soup, stew cacoon, dukunu, crayfish rundown and wild boar. The more popular fare (ackee and saltfish, breadfruit, jerk chicken et cetera) was also available. There was also a display of various enamel items, sewing machines and other items which were used in "Old Time Jamaica." AM 2013 also incorporated the inaugural “Ms. Ancestral Memories” essay competition where competitors presented essays about The Middle Passage and the Moore Town Maroons.

Each presentation was very interesting, thoroughly researched, and contained fascinating new details for the audience.

All proceeds from the event go towards maintenance of the facilities and attractions associated with the BPFA. Established in 1995, the BPFA is a community based organization (CBO) working in the areas of natural resources management, ecotourism development, agriculture and heritage protection in the Upper Rio Grande Valley. The BPFA operates and manages the Ambassabeth Cabins, 13 eco-tourism cabins in Millbank, along the border of Portland and St. Thomas, in the heart of the Blue and John Crow Mountain National Park. The association also maintains and offers guides to two Maroon Heritage trails Cunha Cunha Pass and Corn Puss Gap - and to a third site, the Bernard Spring Waterfall. BPFA has received grant funding from both the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica (EFJ) and the Forest Conservation Fund (FCF).

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In 2003, EFJ provided J$4.1M for a project which included the restoration of the Cunha Cunha Pass Trail. The EFJ partnered with the UNDP Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP) in 2009 to assist the BPFA purchase and install a solar energy system and implement an agroforestry and reforestation programme. The solar power energy system is used to power the whole facility. In 2011, the FCF approved a J$22.7M project which included reforestation of ten acres (10) of denuded lands in the Forest Reserve, renovation and replacement of some of the buildings at Ambassabeth, establishing a new trail to the Bernard Spring Waterfall, and restoration of the historic Corn Puss Gap Trail.

During the 2013 Ancestral Memories celebration, the renovated and newly constructed cabins were re-opened by a FCF representative.

Over the years, the BPFA has faced and overcame many challenges. The main challenge is the bridge that leads to the Ambassabeth Cabins is damaged. Therefore, no vehicular traffic can travel over the bridge. All activities undertaken by the BPFA are important because it lends itself to preserving the environment, improving the likelihood of members and development of the area.

The BPFA is a determined, committed, welcoming organization and community. If you are interested in contacting the BPFA, please call 462-8163 or 409-4625 and speak with Mrs. Linette Wilks or Mr. Lloyd Wilks.

a Bee’s life

By Gavin Campbell

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ou are out in the garden and hear a sound “Bzzzz!” You immediately kick into overdrive, pulling all sorts of acrobatics to evade what you cannot see, but what you hear and know is there: a bee. Fearing being stung, you try to swat it; no, not it, her; all worker bees are females. You strike and hit: the bee is hit down or squished, left to die if not already killed. What a shame, a dead bee.

You may not think of a dead bee as something to concern yourself about, but if you want to continue living, you will.

Bees live in a highly organized society called a colony where there is one queen, multiple workers and multiple, yet fewer drones. This is actually very similar to a monarchy where the queen makes all the big decisions like where to live for the 2 – 5 years she spends laying her eggs and adding to the colony of her workers and drones.

The workers are all females and they take care of almost everything else: they feed the young, maintain the hive and gather pollen and nectar to make honey - which they actually use for their food, not just to put in your tea. Fun fact, honey is the only food that does not spoil, able to maintain its vigour for many years.

It may seem like a sad life just working all the time to take care of the family, but it only lasts 1 – 4 months, then they die and are replaced by the young they had been nurturing. The drones’ only duty is to mate with the queen to produce more eggs which produces the colony with more workers bees and drones. Drones live for only 40 – 50 days under the reign of the queen.

The tie between a large amount of our food and bees, is the labour of workers bees who go out into the field sampling and collecting nectar from various flowers and transporting pollen among them. Flowers have adapted to smelling appealing because they need to attract the birds, bees and other insects. Flowers need them to rub pollen from one flower and place it onto another.

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Pollen is transferred from flower to flower by pollination, easy to remember. Pollination results in fertilization and drives the production of a fruit and other crops. By fruit, I mean the tomato that you cut up and cook with your can of mackerel; the mango you love to eat in the summer; the pepper that goes into that spicy pepper sauce you love so much with your jerked chicken. The products of the pollination done by many insects can be seen on our plates every day. Bees especially, pollinate over 70% of the crops we eat all around the world, so there is a very high chance that whatever you eat is a result of bee pollination; or it lies in the 10% of food which is not provided by one or more of the 100 crops we eat.

Even animals eat food pollinated by bees, so there is no escaping the bee reality: you’re surrounded, but in a good way. Some of the food that would go missing from supermarkets if bees were no longer around include apples, onions, avocados, carrots, mangos, limes, cantaloupe, cucumbers, cauliflower, bok choy (pak choi) and br occoli.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, replacing the work that bees do around the world would require around US$15 billion to accomplish each year! We don’t have that kind of money to spend on something we already have for free.

Do not harm bees, protect them, especially since they are already disappearing due to a phenomenon known as Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD).

The exact cause of CCD is unknown, but various factors come into play such as parasites, pathogens, management stressors and environmental stressors. Among the environmental stressors are scarcity of nectar and the presence of pesticides containing nicotine (neonicotinoids). As it turns out, nicotine is bad for bees too. The European Union has put in place a two-year ban on nicotine-containing pesticides. Hopefully, this will help to bring their numbers back up and improve our understanding of the environment

so that we are better able to maintain a healthy planet while keeping everything else around us fruitful.

The next time you hear a bee buzzing around you, think of it as a compliment: she thinks you smell as great as flowers. Also remember that they are calm creatures. Just as you would not go out of your way to harm someone else while you are working, neither will bees; especially knowing that stinging you will get themselves killed. As much as it hurts – it really does –, a bee’s sting is a sign of true loyalty to her queen and colony. She is willing to give her life for the queen and for the good of the colony, dying in peace knowing that a threat to her family is eliminated. It is the same thing you would do to protect your family from a strange giant.

Become involved in beekeeping and online activism at sos-bees.org. The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries even has a section devoted to Beekeeping and Honey Production where you can find all you need to know about starting your own beekeeping business. Keep an eye out for beekeepers at agricultural shows as well, which is where I met Andreas Sperlich, a master in beekeeping. I had the opportunity of spending a summer learning about bees from him in the field.

He can be reached at beeosphere@gmail.com. There is a whole community waiting for your support in saving the world. It’s never too late to make positive changes: remain calm around bees and do not hurt them. If they do not feel threatened, they will not hurt you. Spread the word! Tell everyone about the beauty and benefits of bees to ensure that your children will have something other than grass to eat in the future!

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Bees live in a highly organized society called a colony where there is one queen, multiple workers and multiple, yet fewer drones.

CSR SUSTAINABILITY & GREEN:

What it All Means and Why it Matters

By Julie Urlaub, Taiga Company

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oes it matter how you define sustainability?

Does having a clear definition of it create lasting change or is it possible that sustainability can have different meanings to different people and still create forward progress? With an ever expanding number of perspectives and viewpoints of the world, it might seem crazy to think a common definition or framework of ‘sustainability’ could ever be defined. Now add on personal beliefs and business operating philosophies and the conversation continues to expand. With such disparity, how could anyone even dream of forward progress being made?

As it is today, the definition of sustainability takes many forms. On a corporate level, Corporate Social Responsibility or CSR, relates to sustainability and going green.

Each addressing directly and indirectly business strategies to reduce carbon emissions and waste, utilize effective natural resources like water and energy and develop collaborative partnerships in the supply chain and community to maximize effectiveness and collectively preserve the earth's resources. Upon further exploration, Corporate Social Responsibility can be narrow in scope compared to the term sustainability as it can imply a "stand alone" program. It may include: diversity programs, wellness programs, sustainable procurement/ green supply chain, telecommuting, remote commuting, investment recovery, community and stakeholder engagement. On the other hand, sustainability is a macro concept that applies more broadly to entire systems and infrastructures.

The term can be somewhat elusive as it spans a multitude of topics. Business sustainability and personal sustainability applies to both corporate and at a personal level.

In a business context, sustainability is embedded within an organization's core operations. Sustainability reporting is evident, transparent and may

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extend beyond the corporation to include tracking of suppliers emissions, waste, energy, etc.

Sustainability concepts, in the form of strategies, tools, ideas and models, are tangible mechanisms used to achieve sustainability for both businesses and individuals.

Finally, when we talk about "greening" some thing or action, we are talking about a micro concept.

We deal with green in our everyday lives with things like clothing, food, transportation, and a long list of "how to go green today" suggestions.

Green is a pretty easy concept to understand in part because it’s relative and tangible. It is measured on a scale from dirty to clean or eco friendly vs. traditional product. Also, tangible eco actions are oftentimes associated with being green, as in recycling.

No doubt, defining green, sustainability, and CSR can be a logical discussion and one that is elusive and sometimes hard to contextualize. However, what is most important is the action around sustainability. As Benjamin Franklin said, "Well done is better than well said." Sustainability actions, regardless of your definition, are becoming increasingly more importantespecially to business. Here's why.

Businesses around the world are feeling the pressures of rising energy, water, and the potential costs of emissions. While business risks and costs are driving many behavior changes, leading businesses are exploring sustainability to identify opportunities.

According to the recent Climate Counts report, "The message coming from top name brands is clear: climate change poses a threat to business in the form of increased costs and risks associated with extreme weather. As a result, companies are prioritizing the need to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and lower their carbon footprint."

A recent study conducted for Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited and its member firms by Verdantix underscores the fact that many leading organizations are rethinking sustainability as a potentially significant factor in their business.

Some of the notable findings from the 2012 Sustainability and the CFO survey include:

•49% of respondents see sustainability as a

key driver of financial performance.

•34% say they are in the process of imple-

menting an organizational transformation relating to energy, environment,and/or sustainability— and another 22% plan to do so in the next two years.

•66%

report that CFO involvement with sustainability is deepening, meaning they are either always or frequently involved in driving execution of programs in their organizations.

•39% of CFOs now believe it is “very impor-

tant” to communicate about sustainability to employees—a 16% increase in this response over 2011.

• Increase cost from uncontrolled emissions.

• Increase cost from measure waste streams.

• Increase cost from rising energy and uncontrolled consumption.

• Increased cost in supply and distribution.

• Increased cost in from the use of unsustainable materials.

• Increase cost from tax or regulatory changes.

• Increase in cost from reactive design, engineering and manufacturing changes.

• Increased cost from obsolete supply or product.

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"The message coming from top name brands is clear: climate change poses a threat to business in the form of increased costs and risks associated with extreme weather.

As a result, companies are prioritizing the need to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and lower their carbon footprint."

There is a distinct difference between risk avoidance and opportunity capture. Business sustainability addresses both. The ability to manage both the top and bottom line is the goal of every business. When done well, it is a defining characteristic that attracts investment and further promotes business sustainability. Sustainability offers business opportunities in the form of: • Brand Reputation – establishing long-term recognition as a sustainable product producer.

• Corporate Reputation – establishing long-term recognition as an environmental and social leader.

• Business Innovation – defining the company in the marketplace as a technological or business sustainability thought leader.

• Business Change – defining the company as an adaptive organization and a facilitator of business sustainability change.

Sustainability concepts, in the form of strategies, tools, ideas and models, are tangible mechanisms used to achieve sustainability for both businesses and individuals.

Sustainable business strategies span a multitude of topics: stewardship of resources; best practices; reputation, brand management and customer service; leveraging technology and enable a business to meet goals of growth and revenue generation while simultaneously contributing innovative thought leadership to some of the world’s most complex and pressing concerns.

Again, does it matter how we define sustainability? Or, does a commitment to business sustainability action serve us better. Sustainability as a business approach uncovers opportunities to explore, develop, collaborate, and innovate not just within industry, but across a vast sea of complex business relations. More and more evidence exists today that companies becoming more environmentally, socially and economically responsible are defining sustainability in ways that work for their business and implementing actions that support us all.

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WE HELP BUSINESS

BREATHE LIFE INTO THEIR SOCIAL COMMUNICATIONS

facebook.com/TaigaCompany www.taigacompany.com www.twitter.com/taigacompany

The Jamaican Environment:

50 years of mismanagement & devastation

by Tameka Coley

The year 2012 marked Jamaica’s 50th year as an

independent nation, a milestone that was celebrated with much fanfare. There is no denying our impact in a variety of areas – sports, music, and a number of art forms, but as our popularity soars globally, our environment succumbs to devastation at an equally alarming rate. The ‘land of wood and water’, despite its acclaimed beauty and world-renowned ecosystems, continues to lose natural resources, and the unfortunate truth is that we as Jamaicans fail to see how we facilitate our beloved island’s demise. There are a number of factors surrounding this reality, with poor government and private sector decisions and a lack of crucial information to the public playing a large part. Add to that the lack of proper laws and government control as it relates to pollution and waste disposal and you have only just begun to understand the desolate future that awaits the nation if we don’t put certain protective measures in place.

Ingrid Parchment, executive director of the Caribbean Coastal Area Management (CCAM), expressed to ECCO that a part of the problem stems from the fact that ecosystems and natural resources are not valued monetarily in Jamaica, which will cause a handicap for the country in the future years. “I believe that if the government were to be presented with figures of the potential earnings to come from ecotourism, and how these outweigh resort development, for example, that would make a great difference, but the biggest setback is that the data is lacking, there is no one who has done this research before and the funding for that sort of extensive study is so sparse these days,” she shared. limate change is already depleting much of the earth’s natural protection, and with the increased number of natural disasters in recent years, Jamaica too has suffered greatly. What is unfortunate, however, is the fact that we continue to add to its depletion, and our environment faces grave danger due to the damage that has been done

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over the last 50 years. With our biodiversity, ecotourism could very well thrive in Jamaica, especially as people around the world are fast becoming more environmentally conscious, but much of our extensive ecosystems have either been damaged, significantly decreased, or are currently at high risk of being obliterated.

The Cockpit Country, our largest remaining rainforest which is home to several endemic bird species, plants, reptiles and amphibians found only in that area, has been greatly threatened by bauxite mining over the years, and there have also been whispers about future development in the area. There is also the Font Hill Wildlife Sanctuary in St Elizabeth which is being considered by the government as a high-end tourism site, despite the obvious environmental hazards for the area if this development is indeed carried out.

In the Jamaica Observer article US Scientist Says ‘No’ To Font Hill’s Development, ‘Don’t Disturb, which was published three years ago, American research scientist Dr Peter Marra, who has been doing research at Font Hill since 1989, explained that it is “one of the most valuable sites in the world for research on the non-breed-ing season ecology of migratory birds.” He also added that “(Font Hill) represents such an extraordinary natural area, with the intact black mangrove full of crocodiles, gorgeous untouched beaches essential for nesting sea turtles as well as for the Jamaican endemic, resident and migratory birds.”

Promoting these two areas as ecotourism destinations would no doubt be a big hit, with the potential to generate much-needed revenue for the nation, but all could very well be lost if we fail to understand how crucial it is to protect our natural resources, and, by extension, to foresee these prospective profits.

Lest we forget the recently constructed Falmouth Cruise Terminal which is considered a worthwhile investment that is anticipated to encourage tourist arrivals to our shores, and which, since it opened in 2011, has stayed true to that expecta-

tion, unfortunately at the costly expense of the area’s natural resources. The Falmouth coastline and coral reefs have suffered extensive damage as a result of its establishment, and as the years go by, these debilitating effects will only continue to worsen. In American science editor and freelance writer Michael Behar’s article, Can The Cruise Industry Clean Up Its Act? published by www.onearth.org last year, Jamaica Environment Trust’s CEO Diana McCaulay expressed her concerns about the mismanagement of the project, which is the largest coral transplantation in history, saying that the “divers used the wrong type of adhesive to affix the transplanted coral”, and dredging sometimes began “before coral was removed, choking the reef with silt and making it impossible for divers to work”. In addition to this, “some of the dead coral became backfill foundation for the new pier, even though it could still have provided habitat for a range of organisms”.

And if this is not enough to open our eyes, there is the added complication to be had by all the pollution that is bound to affect the area in the coming years. could still have provided habitat for a range of organisms”. And if this is not enough to open our eyes, there is the added complication to be had by all the pollution that is bound to affect the area in the coming years.

“I believe that if the government were to be presented with figures of the potential earnings to come from ecotourism, and how these outweigh resort development, for example, that would make a great difference, but the biggest setback is that the data is lacking, there is no one who has done this research before and the funding for that sort of extensive study is so sparse these days.”

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Last year another US-based environmental writer and maritime lawyer Jim Walker added credence to this in his article Royal Caribbean’s New Port in Falmouth, Jamaica – At what cost to the environment? published on www.cruiselawnews.com, where he explained the possible environmental damage to the Falmouth area by cruise ship pollution. His concern is that the hosting of massive cruise ships such as Voyager of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, all of which have already passed through the new port, will facilitate continued environmental devastation. He explained that Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas – the world’s two largest cruise ships – are not as “green” as they claim, seeing that they both burn bunker fuel – “a tar-like refinery by-product” containing “combustible particles that blacken the sky and pose a major health hazard to people in a hundred-mile radius” – which is considered the world’s “dirtiest and most dangerous” kind.

What is even more alarming is the fact that the presence of these Royal Caribbean cruise line ships translated to approximately 35, 000, 000 cubic feet of coral being demolished, and two square miles of mangroves being “buried under the now pulverized reef material”.

This is indeed a grave cause for concern, not just environmentally, but also because our coastal areas are crucial to our society and economy. In 2008, the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) disclosed in the research article Development Trends in Jamaica’s Coastal Areas and the Implications for Climate Change in Jamaica’s Coastal Areas and the Implications for Climate Change that over 50 percent of the nation’s economic assets, including air and sea port facilities and tourism infrastructure, are concentrated in coastal areas in which approximately 70 percent of the population resides. The demand for coastal property has also been on the upsurge for the past 20+ years, despite the high level of vulnerability to natural disasters, and in addition to this, the Jamaican environment overall is far removed

from what it was in its glory days well over 50 years ago.

Last year, local environmentalist and former executive director of the CCAM foundation Peter Espeut expressed to the Jamaica Observer that “the problems of the past five decades go beyond corals and forests to wetlands — not only mangroves”. In a story entitled Jamaica’s environment at 50... Not much to celebrate, written by the newspaper’s then environment editor Petre Williams-Raynor, Espeut opined that the government’s mismanagement of our natural resources over the last 50 years is a major contributing factor to the rapid environmental devastation we are now faced with.

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“Coral reefs were some 60 per cent in 1980; we are down to about seven per cent. Jamaica had nice, healthy forests in 1962; somewhere along the line we had the highest rate of deforestation in the world. Then today we have quite a few acres of natural forest left, but we have a difficulty because the Government’s Forestry Department wants us to call planted forest, forest... If the Government goes out and chops down natural forests and plants Caribbean pine, as was done in the 1980s, you can’t turn around and say you have the same forest; it is not the same thing... When you cut down a natural forest and plant coffee, that is deforestation,” he explained.

If this continues, one can only imagine the extensive damage to follow in the next 50 years.

Lest we forget the recently constructed Falmouth Cruise Terminal which is considered a worthwhile investment that is anticipated to encourage tourist arrivals to our shores, and which, since it opened in 2011, has stayed true to that expectation, unfortunately at the costly expense of the area’s natural resources.

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Tips

TO HELP REDUCE YOUR NEGATIVE IMPACT ON MARINE LIFE

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Reduce waste: Use the garbage receptacles nearby or take your waste home with you. By doing that you reduce the possibility of improper waste management.

Go eco-friendly: Choose eco-friendly vacation spots that promote environmental awareness. Support organizations working to protect endangered sea animals and protected areas. When swimming, snorkeling or diving, do not stand on coral reefs, you can destroy them. Do not try to take them home with you.

Only eat seafood when in season: Observe the off season rules. Fish and other marine life populations are in danger. The Caribbean Sea is one of the most overfished waters on the planet. Do not eat the Parrot Fish. A delicacy to most Jamaicans but this fish helps to maintain our shores.

Reduce: Packaging materials such as paper and cardboard account for approximately 20% of the trash we generate in Jamaica. Consider using items with less packaging or by reusing and recycling your packaging.

Reuse: If it’s not broken don’t replace it. Consider reusing items in your home before disposing of them.

Recycle: Start recycling drives in your community. Call the recycling company near you to have them collect. But start recycling today.

Volunteer at a Beach Cleanup: Every year the international organization, Ocean Conversancy, hosts International Coastal Cleanup in September. Contact Jamaica Environment Trust to find a beach near you. Volunteer today. Or host your own Beach Cleanup any time of year.

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A CLOSER LOOK INTO THE DYNAMISM OF

DIANA McCAULAY

“Where there is no vision, the people will perish”

A woman on a mission with a vision and the

right stride for the continued protection of the Jamaican environment cannot be undone. Diana McCaulay exudes confidence and a no nonsense attitude when it comes to the overall safety and protection of Jamaica’s environment. Within minutes of meeting her, you are riveted by her passion and drive. Upon entering the premises of the Earth House, home to the office of Jamaica Environment Trust, one is brought into an atmosphere similar to an oasis tucked away in the city.

You hear the birds chirping, see butterflies flying, and greeted by the friendly and pleasant staff. The architecture of the building, old French windows and doors, at the Earth House gives one the feeling of serenity which is far removed from corporate Jamaica. Regardless of the setting the Jamaica Environment Trust CEO and staff are on a mission working assiduously to protect the ‘land of wood and water’.

Ms. McCaulay was busy at work, attending to her daily tasks as the founder and CEO for the Jamaica Environment Trust. After pleasantries, we got right into the interview of getting to know the woman, looking at how she got started in the environmental field, her concerns for the Cockpit Country and the Annual Beach Cleanup activities.

How she got started Her desire to champion the protection of the environment started after she and a friend went to the Palisadoes to watch the sun set. To her astonishment, the beach was covered with garbage and had become a dump for all types of waste. She was ashamed and shocked that her beautiful Jamaica had become a dump site. It was at this time she decided to leave the insurance industry after eighteen (18) years. From that day she

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vowed to become an advocate for the protection of the environment. Wanting to learn more and become more active, Diana and a few associates took a trip to a sewage plant and the Riverton dump. These trips further fueled her desire to make a difference and advocate for change in Jamaica. Diana and friends saw the inefficiencies in the operations of both the sewage plant and the Riverton dump. The trips gave birth to the Jamaica Environment Trust through the interest and concern expressed by her colleagues and herself.

Diana’s views The Cockpit Country Boundary debate The Cockpit Country is recognized around the world for its biodiversity, its cultural heritage (Taino and Maroon) and the water source it provides. It is Jamaica’s largest remaining primary forest and home to many indigenous animals.

Diana believes a decision needs to be made on the status of the Cockpit Country, whether naming it as a Forest Reserve or a World Heritage site. It is very important to protect the forest that exists at the Cockpit Country in order to sustain the biodiversity of the area. In an effort to continue protecting the region, as it supplies over 40% of freshwater to the island, Diana suggests this area be made inaccessible; “keep it special, fascinating and of great benefit to Jamaica.”

International Coastal Cleanup Day After years of coordinating International Coastal Cleanup Day in Jamaica, Diana and team are at it once again, another year, another Beach Cleanup.

And this year things seem to be on track for it to be another record breaking year. More beaches registered, more volunteers, and more trash being collected, all in an effort to keep Jamaica clean.

Over the past few years the Beach Cleanup has grown from small beginnings to over 4,000 volunteers participating in 2012. She has seen the event grow from when it was mainly family and friends

who showed up. Now the event hosts schools, community groups, corporate sponsors along with friends and families participating annually.

With nearly 50,000 pounds of waste collected in 2012, Diana expects more people showing up to the event.

Diana gets away from it all Ms. McCaulay pointed out that when she’s not fighting the environmental war she takes a trip to Seattle on the West Coast of North America to get away at least once a year.

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She has seen many changes over the years as it relates to people’s attitude and the overall protection of the environment. One such positive move, it has gotten easier to cover an environmental story or issue in the media. Back when she first started it was very difficult to broadcast an environmental issue in the media. However a major challenge that she still observes is the difficulty faced in enforcing the laws which govern the use of our natural resources.

After over 20 years advocating for the protection of the Jamaican environment, Diana is still going full force. She continues to fight for the environment after all these years motivated by the simple fact that “once you learn and open your eyes to the issues you can’t go back”. Despite the fact that some days she does not know how she does it, but once there is an avenue to act she is duty-bound.

Ms. McCaulay said that in order for more Jamaicans to be more aware of the issues of the environment they must first be interested, secondly, educate themselves as there is a lot of information on the internet. She advises Jamaican to become environmentally aware of the activities they engage in, because at the end of the day it does impact the environment in some way or the other.

She also emphasizes the need for activism. She encourages persons to join an environmental group, become a supporter and volunteer.

“...It is very important to protect the forest that exists at the Cockpit Country in order to sustain the biodiversity of the area...”

Our Mission The Foundation promotes, supports and implements activities designed to conserve the natural resources and the environment of Jamaica and foster the wellbeing of our children.

What We Do Established in 1993 by formal agreement between the governments of Jamaica and the United States of America The Environmental Foundation of Jamaica is an independent Foundation which uses the proceeds from a creative debt-swap arrangement to promote sustainable development in Jamaica. This is done mainly through support to projects which address issues of the Environment and Child Survival and Development. Organizations of civil society with mandates in the targeted areas of environment and children are eligible for support.

Environmental Foundation of Jamaica 1B Norwood Avenue, Kingston 5, Jamaica Phone: 876 -960 -6744 or 876 -960 -8799 Fax: 876 -920 -8999 e-mail: grants@efj.org.jm URL: www.efj.org.jm

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e l p Sim s t f a r C o c E s d i K r fo n e s i e n e r B y e r o C y b

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Simple s t f a r C Eco ds for Ki As an artist and a mom of two young children, I am always looking for ways to engage my children in creative projects.

Here are two simple craft projects that are sure to keep the entire family entertained while also making use of materials found right in your cupboards and recycling bins!

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1.

l a r u t a N All h g u o D y Pla Children of all ages will enjoy sculpting and squishing for hours with this great homemade play dough. Made with all natural ingredients found right in your cupboard, you won’t have to worry if the littlest family members decide that it looks good enough to eat!

Materials: For the Play Dough: 2 cups white flour 2 cups water 1 cup salt 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 tablespoon cream of tartar

For the Natural Dye: Brown: 4 tablespoons cocoa powder Pink: 3/8 cup hot beet juice Orange: 1 tablespoon paprika Yellow: 1 teaspoon turmeric

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Instructions: 1. Combine all the ingredients for the play dough in a saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture holds together, about 5 minutes.

2. Remove the pan from the heat and set it aside until the dough is cool enough to handle, about 5 minutes. Turn the clay onto a waxedpaper-lined countertop and knead it for 2 to 3 minutes.

3. Divide the clay into 4 equal parts. Knead in the dye ingredients to create 4 different colors of clay. When the clay is thoroughly cool, place it in an air tight container such as margarine or yogurt container.

2.

k c o S g n i s s i M s t e p Pup Instructions:

Every family has at least a few mismatched socks lying around. Turn them into creative creatures and put on a family puppet show!

Recommended for children aged 3 and up.

Materials: Socks Tacky glue Construction paper Buttons, sequins, ribbons, googly eyes, pom-poms

Not only are you spending time with your child but also teaching the importance of conservation.

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1. Begin by deciding on a puppet character. (Animals are always great to work with.) Once you have decided on a character, start cutting the features out of the construction paper. (For example, large elephant ears and a long elephant trunk.)

2. Use the Tacky glue to attach the paper features to the sock. (Helpful Hint: When attaching the paper to the sock, first fold the edge of the paper to make a tap. This gives you a flat surface on which to apply the glue and will make a stronger bond.)

3. Make your puppet unique by adding details such as sequins for earrings or by tying ribbons around the ears.

Ever heard someone say “Running is good for you�? Well it is. It is great for your health, every part of your body and exercise has been proven to lift your mood. By running we do not mean to challenge Usain Bolt to a 100m dash. However step up your exercise routine, challenge yourself start preparing for the Reggae Marathon or get up and start with light brisk running today, your health and body needs it. Running is among the best aerobic exercises for conditioning of the heart and lungs.

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Running helps to increase your overall health.

Research shows running boost your immune system, increases lung function and helps to raise levels of good cholesterol.

Want to burn calories? Running is the second best exercise after cross country skiing. It helps you lose weight as well as maintaining weight.

Stress can come from many different areas of life - work, home, driving etc. Learning how to manage stress mentally will definitely help alleviate some of the ways it manifests itself. Running is also another good way of reducing your stress. By exerting excess energy and releasing endorphins while running one can experience what is referred to ‘runner’s high’ which helps reduce stress levels.

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With most exercises running helps boost your confidence. As you begin to set realistic goals in your exercise routine you empower yourself and feelings of accomplishment will make you feel happier.

Running can help reduce your risk of having a heart attack and stroke. This simple form of exercise helps preserve elasticity in arteries thus reducing your risk of heart attacks.

Additional it reduces your risk of breast cancer. Many doctors recommend running to patients with diabetes, osteoporosis and high blood pressure.

With all these benefits you should start running today.

For more tips on training for a marathon check out Reggae Marathon website.

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TOP

ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS IN THE CARIBBEAN

There are a multitude of amazing things about the Caribbean, but the current state of the environment is unfortunately not one of them. ECCO examines some of the most serious problems facing the region and possible ways to eliminate them over time.

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Oil dependence – This is as much an environmental issue as it is financial. Various Caribbean econo-

mies, including ours, are steadily declining due to extreme oil dependency. In the summer of 2012 worldbank.org published a press release - Central America/Caribbean Can Reduce their Oil Dependency, examining this from a financial perspective. The article states: “For countries in Central America and the Caribbean, the average improvement in the current account balance would amount to approximately 1.6 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP).”

Jamaica has also suffered from a lack of sustainable energy resources and there is little being done to create proper solutions. The ever-increasing electricity bills we all complain about are testament to this sad truth. In 2011, Ayodeji Adebola of CIPORE.org (Caribbean Information Platform On Renewable Energy) published Jamaica’s Energy Crisis: From Dependence To Independence? suggesting a transition from importing fossil fuels to utilising renewable energy sources. The article highlights the fact that, “In 2007, oil was responsible for generating 95.9 percent of all electricity in Jamaica. Even though Jamaica does not produce any hydrocarbons, the country consumes about 77,000 barrels of oil per day. Of all the energy that is used, just 9.5 percent is produced domestically. The largest domestic source of energy is combustible and renewable waste (such as biomass).” Surely those numbers have increased since the report was published.

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Garbage disposal & Recycling – this two-pronged issue is indeed grave. Marine pollution

is a major concern, especially with so many Caribbean countries gaining significant revenue from tourism, and coastal communities being home to many persons as well as an income source. Space proves a huge problem as in most countries; there are either no centralised locations or very limited areas for proper, largescale garbage disposal. Add to that the poor habits of persons who litter anywhere, and corporations dumping their waste into the sea and subsequently poisoning the marine life to complete the dreary picture. We know that recycling of plastics, glass, soft aluminium cans, etc needs to become routine, but not enough is being done to encourage it besides the odd advertisement. A militant awareness campaign paired with the implementation of new ways to sort and dispose of garbage would perhaps achieve much more. There is also the ‘upcycling’ trend to harvest from - introducing our youth to this would prove highly beneficial... make it ‘cool’ to be aware, have regular beach and community ‘clean-ups’.

Another important factor is the inevitable reduction of the region’s energy bill that comes with proper waste management and recycling, since there would be far less need for virgin materials in the manufacturing industry, burning less fossil fuels as a result and therefore reducing our carbon foot print..for generating 95.9 percent of all electricity in Jamaica. Even though Jamaica does not produce any hydrocarbons, the country consumes about 77,000 barrels of oil per day. Of all the energy that is used, just 9.5 percent is produced domestically. The largest domestic source of energy is combustible and renewable waste (such as biomass).”

Surely those numbers have increased since the report was published.

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Unsustainable fishing practices

– have been on the upsurge for decades, and marine ecosystems in many Caribbean islands – Cuba, The Bahamas and Jamaica in particular – are now feeling the effects of destructive fishing practices like trawling, dynamite, spawn fishing and the use of portable fish traps and drag nets. There are little or no sanctions (or none properly enforced) against these methods, and when marine ecosystems are heavily destabilised it can make the area better suited to the breeding of invasive species, which is already evident with the lionfish threat.

Plus with mass sand extraction by construction companies, protected areas and fishing sanctuaries becoming resort locations and rising sea levels due to natural disasters, it’s easy to see the region heading toward calamity.

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Food security

- is definitely another pressing issue. Many Caribbean countries, Jamaica included, despite the global food prices constantly escalating due to economic devastation, rely heavily on importing when they are more than capable of producing enough good-quality food to sustain themselves and supply other parts of the world. It is quite common to hear people lamenting ‘me can’t even buy a bread’ these days.

We should be pooling together as Caribbean nations to supply each other with certain foods, implement large-scale organic farming practices and surplus management techniques, as well as educating, financing and finding markets for our farmers. We would therefore be importing far less food, and supporting our own markets. Proper storage and distribution methods are also desperately needed, all of which requires intense strategising and effective sanctioning.

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As dismal as things appear, we can help to curtail some of them significantly if we act now. For instance, it would make sense to look into growing cereal for use as fuel in order to help decrease our exorbitant energy bills. We can change the way we currently manage our waste. We would need to embark on massive public education, and implement well-needed practices and sanctions for all industries. What we really need is to act with urgency, splitting our overall long-term goals into achievable phases so as not to overwhelm ourselves as we work towards taking the Caribbean from a path of environmental devastation.

na a i c u L y B

h t i m S n Gordo

The foundation for any waste management program is the three R’s - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Typically the first step to manage your waste is by never generating them in the first place. If you are able to reduce all feasible waste, the next step then focuses on ways to reuse materials so as to extend the life of the item. Finally, recycle all the remaining materials that are accepted locally.

A fourth R – re-buy - encourages the use of products that contained recycled material. This assists in providing an incentive to recyclers.

Proper waste management allows organisations to reduce costs and liabilities. It also allows householders to take control of the waste generated, especially as the collection of waste has become sporadic in recent times.

In addition to protecting the environment, proper waste management benefits the country through reducing waste going to landfills.

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Reduce The best way to stick to your plan of proper waste management is to not generate the waste in the first place. Consider the following list to get you on your way: • Buy goods with little or no packaging • Repair an item, if feasible, before replacing the item.

• Consider the toxicity of the item prior to purchase, that way you can reduce the toxicity of the waste you generate.

• Buy only what you need as disposing of any excess can be costly (especially for hazardous material - such as pesticides, some paints and stains, etc.).

Here are options to reduce your use of disposables:

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Paper lunch bags

A reusable, washable canvas bag or lunchbox

Baggies, plastic wrap, aluminium foil

A reusable container

A regular pencil

A mechanical pencil

Paper / plastic cups

Carry a reusable/washable mug

Paper memos / reports

Use e-mail

Single-sided copies

Set copiers to double-sided

Using virgin paper in fax machines

Reuse the blank side of single-sided copies.

If needed you can make a clean copy later.

Buying new scratch pads

Reuse the other side of excess documents

Multiple copies of the same subscription

Share one copy among office personnel. Consider electronic subscriptions, if available

Electronic Energy Hogs

Energy Star rated equipment use less power, conserving resources, lowering bills

Reuse If you absolutely have to generate the waste, look for ways to reuse the items for a new purpose. Some simple ideas include reusing old tablecloths or sheets for cleaning rags, reusing containers for storage, and single-side printed office paper for scratch work.

Most things are like cats - they have multiple lives. It's simply up to us to let them live out their lives!

• Reuse old product binders for other papers • File folders and some computer disks can be used over and over.

• Empty tissue boxes can hold pens, pencils, etc.

•Donate older electronic equipment, if still usable, to a nearby school or charitable organisation.

Recycle Once a product has exhausted its lives, make it part of the great cycle - send it back to start over again as something new!

• Participate in a recycling programme. Investigate what can be recycled in your community/area and separate your recyclables from the general waste • Consider composting your organic waste and/or donating un-served food to a shelter or food bank.

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Did You Know?

•Using fax notes instead of separate cover sheets could save four million miles of fax paper • Recycling one glass bottle saves enough energy to light a 100 watt bulb for four hours • Making aluminium cans out of raw materials takes 19 times the amount of energy than it takes to recycle a can • Every 1,050 recycled milk jugs can make one six foot plastic park bench • Glass never wears out. It can be recycled forever.

• Recycling one ton of paper saves 7,000 gallons of water, 380 gallons of oil and 3 cubic yards of landfill space • Recycling one ton on newspapers saves 15 trees

Rebuy

$

Finally, if we need to "close the loop" of the waste management cycle and encourage recycling consumers should purchase products that contain post-consumer recyclable material as this will encourage manufacturers to use more recycled material in their products than natural/virgin resources.

We, as consumers, are able to drive the demand for recycled products and contribute to the sustainability of the industry. Be sure to re-think the way you dispose of your waste and if possible recycle what you can.

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