E n viron men t TO BA GO n ewsl etter
E
nvironment TOBAGO (ET) is a nongovernment, non-profit, volunteer organisation , not subsidized by any one group, corporation or government body.
Environment TOBAGO
June 2017
52nd Meeting of the GEF— A Summary
(Taken from the GEF Bulletin Sunday, 28 May 2017 Vol. 192 No. 17)
Founded in 1995, ET is a proactive advocacy group that campaigns against negative environmental activities throughout Tobago. We achieve this through a variety of community and environmental outreach programmes. Environment TOBAGO is funded mainly through grants and membership fees. These funds go back into implementing our projects. We are grateful to all our sponsors over the years and thank them for their continued support
Patricia Turpin, ET Vice President representing us at the GEF Council Consultation with CSOs in Washington
W
hat’s inside
ET News
1
Articles
11
Ecology Notes
16
Tobago Wildlife
17
What’s Happening @ ET
18
Notes to contributors
20
The 52nd meeting of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Council convened in Washington, DC, US, from 23-25 May 2017, at World Bank headquarters. Representatives of governments, international organizations and civil society organizations (CSOs) attended the three-day meeting, which also included the 22nd meeting of the Council for the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) and the Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF). The meetings were preceded by a consultation with CSOs on 22 May. Naoko Ishii, GEF Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chairperson, and Philipp Knill (Germany) served as Co-Chairs for the meetings. The Council considered agenda items on, inter alia: the GEF 2020 Strategy; the seventh replenishment of the GEF Trust Fund (GEF-7); the proposed policy on ethics and conflict of interest for Council members, alternates and advisers; and the updated vision of the GEF relationship with the civil society. The Council discussed, among others, the report of the Chairperson of the Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel (STAP), relations with the Conventions and other international institutions, the Work Program, and tackling global environmental challenges through the integrated approach pilot (IAP) programs. Council members heard presentations by the Executive Secretaries of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), as well as the Principal Coordinator of the Interim Secretariat of the Minamata Convention on Mercury, relating to GEF activities in sup-
Page 2
June 2017 Editor: Jo-Anne Nina Sewlal Assistant Editor: Raymond Aaron Design & Layout: Jo-Anne Nina Sewlal Technical Support: Jerome Ramsoondar Enid Nobbee Contributors: Jahson Alemu Jo-Anne Nina Sewlal Photographs: Environment TOBAGO Gail Hampshire Stephen Jay Matt Kelly Karl Phillips
Environment TOBAGO newsletter
port of their respective multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs). The LDCF/SCCF Council convened for its 22nd meeting on 25 May, and considered: a progress report on the Funds; 2016 annual monitoring review of the Funds; the 2016 LDCF/SCCF Annual Evaluation Report; SCCF program evaluation and management response; the Funds’ 2018 administrative budget; and the 2018 Work Program and budget for Independent Evaluation Office (IEO) under the LDCF and SCCF. At the conclusion of the meetings, Council members reviewed and approved the Joint Summary of the Co-Chairs for the GEF Council and LDCF/SCCF Council meetings. The GEF Council approved a Work Program comprising 30 project concepts and one programmatic framework, with total resources amounting to US$246.8 million. This summary highlights the discussions and decisions reached at the 52nd meeting of the GEF Council and the 22nd meeting of the LDCF/SCCF Council.
Some of Tobago's fruit
Board of Directors 2016-2018 President: Bertrand Bhikkary Vice-President: Patricia Turpin Secretary: Wendy Austin Treasurer: Andy Roberts Other Directors: Renee Gift Darren Henry Terrance Sandiford William Trim Andrea Tuitt Aljoscha Wothke
Left: June plum (Spondias dulcis) Right (top to bottom): Pollock Avocado (Persea americana) and Guava (Psidium guajava) (Photos by Stephen Jay and others)
Environment TOBAGO newsletter
ET’s EASTER CAMP Environment Tobago's Eco camps have been run every Easter and summer vacation for the last 15 years. The camps are designed for primary school children and are a hands on approach to environmental education, both terrestrial and Marine. The camps have the support of the Department of Natural resources (DNRE) of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA). Day 1 - Getting to know each other and playtime in the Botanical Gardens
Page 3
Page 4
Environment TOBAGO newsletter
Day 2 - Reliving the ole time days with a visit to a dirt oven in Castara and a visit to the rainforest
Environment TOBAGO newsletter
Page 5
Days 3 & 4 - Visiting Buccoo Reef and wetlands, games at the Botanical Gardens and end of camp
“ To many p eopl e t hes e tall pea ks make fo r a c hallen ging b ut s cenic hike. B u t t hey a re not jus t a no the r t all m oun tain to climb . �
Page 6
Environment TOBAGO newsletter
Trash to Cash—How it was done WHO AND WHAT is behind the “TRASH TO TREASURE (T2T)” and “TRASH TO CASH (T2C)” initiatives? The Studley Park Landfill has far exceeded its carrying capacity decades ago and no community wants it relocated in their “backyard”. Yet, we continue to generate solid waste at an alarming rate. Solid Waste management is a growing Environmental problem in Tobago, and the world over. In an effort to address this issue of solid waste in Tobago, Environment TOBAGO (ET) in collaboration with the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment (DNRE),T.H.A, has been conducting an ongoing campaign in our schools. This initiative, the “Keep a Clean School Award Programme (KACSAP)”, began in 2013 and has continued annually with the endorsement of the Division of Education Youth Affairs and Sports (DEYAS), T.H.A.. From time to time, as more resources become available, additional activities such as competitions, are offered as extensions to the KACSAP. The “Trash to Treasure workshop” and the “Trash to Cash Competition”, are two such extensions of this programme. Two “Trash to Treasure Art and Craft Workshops” (T2T) were hosted for secondary school students in January of 2017. These workshops were facilitated by Entrepreneurs who are renowned for their skills in crafting and converting discarded materials such as newspaper, cloth, plastic bags and plastic bottles, into valuable, “sellable” items. Over 50 students and teachers from Secondary Schools across Tobago participated in this training. The “Trash to Cash Competition” (T2C) to which you are now invited to participate, will culminate in June and presents an avenue, whereby, participants in the T2T workshop (and/or other interested students), may display their skills and creativity in converting trash to treasure. The judging will be limited to three (3) entries per school, and is carded to take place on June 5th, World’s Environment Day, at a venue to be announced. and further, getting their “treasures” sold at the auction sale at the same event, however, any number of items may be submitted for sale, as there would be an and auction/sale at the event. It is hoped that the experiences gained by participants, and the public awareness built from these initiatives, will indeed open up a few of Tobago’s bright minds, to the possibilities of converting Trash into Cash, and stimulate Entrepreneurship. Given the aforementioned, the objectives of the Trash to Cash workshop and competition are: To equip students with the skills and techniques necessary for the manipulation of discarded materials into valuable and useful items. To enhance creative and problem-solving skills in students. To stimulate entrepreneurial ambition in adolescents by exposing them to the possibilities To provide an avenue whereby, students could display their skills and generate income in the process.
Environment TOBAGO newsletter
Page 7
Who is ELIGIBLE to take part in the T2C Competition and what will they be required to do? Whereas the T2C competition is open to all secondary school students in Tobago, along with an accompanying Guiding Teacher from their school, this competition is more targeted toward Visual Arts students, especially those who participated in the DNRE/ET Trash to Treasure workshops, hosted earlier this year. The Guiding Teacher, from a given school, is that teacher, appointed of voluntary, who has the responsibility of using his/her discretion to select and submit the names of T2C Competition entrants from their school. In selecting Entrants for the competition the following should be taken into consideration. Each school is limited to no more than three (3) Entrants and one Guiding Teacher for the competition. The Guiding Teacher must register Entrants from his/her school by 16th May 2017, using this online registration form. Each Entrant, must present for judging:
At least one item created from discarded or disposable, natural and/or biodegradable, material (eg newspaper, clay, fabric) At least one item created from one or more non-biodegradable and/or disposable, materials (this may include polystyrene, plastics etc). (any number of additional pieces could be submitted for sale/auctioning after the judging has taken place)
What is the TIMELINE for the roll out of the T2C Competition?
16th May: Deadline for registration
17th May - 3rd June: Create pieces for display, judging and auction
5th June: Judging event and auction/sale, on World Environment Day. This will take place on the Lowlands Mall. Set up can begin from as early as 10AM, however the judging is carded to begin at 12 noon.
By what CRITERION will the T2C Competition be Judged? Judging would be based on the cumulative score of the two pieces presented for judging by each Entrant. Both pieces form all T2C Entrants, will be displayed anonymously (reduces bias) and would be evaluated by judges using the criteria set out below (note that the criteria coincides that given in the Secondary School’s Visual and Performing Arts Syllabus). Given that contest pieces will be displayed passively and anonymously, Entrants are asked to provide a type written description for each of their works, explaining their inspiration, the source of materials used and the what was involved in bringing their pieces to “life”. Judging Criterion
“ To many p eopl e t hes e tall pea ks make fo r a c hallen ging b ut s cenic hike. B u t t hey a re not jus t a no the r t all m oun tain to climb . ”
Page 8
Environment TOBAGO newsletter
Craftsmanship: The application of knowledge, related technical skills and processes. This includes: Appropriateness of material Level of skill in the use of materials and media Experimentation Design/Composition: The organization of materials and aesthetically satisfying work. This includes: Use of design elements Impact/Desirability (would the average person desire to purchase piece?) Originality: The level of personal interpretation. This includes: Demonstration of Creativity/Vision/Imagination Are there INCENTIVES for Teachers and students and teachers to participate in the T2C Competition? Yes! Prizes would be awarded to the top three entries according to the table below. Note that, payments may be made in cheques, payable to the names of Entrants given upon registration. The same applies for the prizes for the Guiding Teachers. Take note that the Guiding Teachers and students (Entrant or otherwise) are encouraged to create and present extra pieces (i.e., in addition to the two pieces submitted for judging by each Entrant) as there will be opportunity to sell/ auction these items at the judging and prize giving events. WHEN AND WHERE will the Judging and prize giving event take place? This judging and prize giving is carded for June 5th, World Environment Day, at the Lowlands Mall. Set up begins at 10:00Am; Judging begins at 12:00 noon, the prize giving ceremony begins at 1:00PM; the sale/ auction begins at 2:00PM. It is anticipated that the event will end about 3:20PM. There will be light refreshments for participants and guests.
What is the PRIZE STRUCTURE? Places
Student Prizes
Teacher Incentives
First
$2000
$1500
Second
$1500
$1000
Third
$1000
$500
The prizes quoted above are tentative and may change, however, the expected changes would be upwards, since the committee is seeking to enhance the benefits to participants. Note as well, that if more than one Entrants, submitted by the same Guiding Teacher, should win places, the teacher would be awarded the incentive package
Environment TOBAGO newsletter
Page 9
associated with the highest place winner only. For instance, if all three students from “school A” wins 1st, 2nd and 3rd places, the Guiding Teacher from “school A” will be awarded $1500, according to the prize structure above. For further information please contact: Mr. Barry Lovelace at (365-4557), ET. Ms. Shelley-Ann Pantin (471-1027), DNRE Ms. Nathisha Charles-Pantin (471-1030), DNRE
Photos from our “Trash 2 Cash” Expo
“ To many p eopl e t hes e tall pea ks make fo r a c hallen ging b ut s cenic hike. B u t t hey a re not jus t a no the r t all m oun tain to climb . ”
Page 10
Environment TOBAGO newsletter
More photos from our “Trash 2 Cash” Expo
Environment TOBAGO newsletter
Page 11
ARTICLES
THE BUCCOO REEF CRISIS: FACTS AND FICTION Jahson Alemu *Aldo Leopold (1887-1948) one of the pioneers of wildlife conservation in the USA, described "system" health before the word "ecosystem" was coined, but his definition and wisdom still apply: "Health refers to the capacity for self-renewal" and "conservation is the effort to understand and promote the capacity for selfrenewal." As scientists, it is our role to understand the conditions necessary for self -renewal; and the role of managers/ stewards is to use science to create conditions that promote self-renewal. THE FICTION "Coral reef death" is a misnomer. Coral reefs are ecosystems, and unlike living organisms cannot die. They can cease to support optimal conditions for coral growth resulting in reduced coral cover (we want reefs with high coral cover), and in some instances can shift to an alternate or undesirable state. There is no doubt in the minds of most, that coral reefs are valuable to Tobago: a source of food, livelihood, recreation, biodiversity, shoreline protection and national identity. But subtle shifts are happening, resulting in less coral cover, facilitating less desirable alternate states such as soft coral dominated hard bottoms (called gorgonian plains) or macroalgal dominated plains. It is this algae dominated state that is often referred to as a dead reef. An ecosystem responds to biological, chemical, geological, and physical conditions along a continuum; it changes. An organism also responds as it is exposed to different conditions, but exposure to too much or too little outside the range of adaptation (e.g., higher seawater temperatures, toxicants, substrate collapse, loss of food resources) can lead to its death, and it will no longer exist. There are parts of Buccoo where the combination of dead corals and algae dominance, have lead some to say that the reef is "predominantly dead”: in fact, it continues to exist, just not in the same stable state we recognized. This is an issue challenging reefs throughout the Caribbean. Scientific semantics aside (but these distinctions are important if the message is to mean anything), Buccoo is far from dead. Data from as far back as the 1980s show that coral cover in the Buccoo Reef (coral cover is used as an indicator of reef condition and the effectiveness of management), is on a downward trajectory, due to impacts associated with growing populations, development of tourism markets, non-compatible activities within the coastal zone and ocean warming. FACTS
The data show that Buccoo Reef complex is relatively one of the most resilient reef systems in southwest Tobago, where self-renewal is demonstrated in spite of impacts from multiple mass coral bleaching events, disease outbreaks, frequent physical damages and a regime of declining poor water quality. Strong grazing by herbivores such as parrotfish help regulate algal growth (an indicator of poor reef
"Is Buccoo Reef "predominantly dead" as some say? Marine scientist Jahson Alemu presents the case to support an ecosystem that endures in spite of everything that's dumped in it. Resilient and renewable, this is the Buccoo Reef he describes. Alemu strongly a d v o c a t e s ecosystem-based management in order to maintain the legacy of the Buccoo Reef Marine Park." “ To many p eopl e t hes e tall pea ks make fo r a c hallen ging b ut s cenic hike. B u t t hey a re not jus t a no the r t all m oun tain to climb . ”
Page 12
"To the statement that "Buccoo is predominantly dead", I would argue that Buccoo is far from dead, but it is in trouble if things continue as they are. "
Environment TOBAGO newsletter
condition); and ample substrate for coral recruitment and good recruitment all help to improve the resilience of the ecosystem. Additionally, the connectivity of the reefs to the nearby seagrass and mangrove areas helps to maintain the life cycle of the organisms present. The Buccoo Reef Marine Park (a no fishing zone) has encouraged the proliferation of a rich diversity of fish and other invertebrates, especially when compared to what exists outside the park. Here we use “resilience” to mean the capacity of an ecosystem to absorb recurrent disturbances or shocks and adapt to change while retaining essentially the same function and structure (Holling 1973). Ultimately, major changes in how we interact with the marine environment are needed if we are to continue to benefit from coral reef ecosystems as we do today. There are a number of ecosystem indicators (~60) to measure reef condition as it changes with time and space, but practically 10-15 are used; some of the major indicators being biodiversity, herbivory, recruitment and productivity. THE BUCCOO REEF THAT WE SEE Most of us view the Buccoo Reef through the lens of a glass bottom boat tour. These tours are conducted along the areas referred to as the reef flat (the landward side of the reef). These areas are dominated by monospecific (one species) stands of corals with relatively low coral diversity. Fish diversity is rich, dominated by several species of small bodied fish (usually juvenile life stages and adults of smaller fish) including parrot fish, grunts and snappers, as well as elusive apex predators such as sharks and groupers, and Untouched backreefs in Buccoo, photo by other charismatic species such as Jahson Alemu turtles, rays and octopi. These heavily trafficked areas are highly disturbed (due to years of physical damage from storm surges and human disturbances and sedimentation), and support fewer fish. It’s easy to perceive these areas as impoverished. But they are not dead. There is a wide continuum of ecosystem conditions that exist in Buccoo, from rich underwater aquariums to impoverished zombie-like reefs. The question is which end of the continuum would we like future generations to enjoy. MANAGING BUCCOO Certainly, the Buccoo Reef Complex is a shadow of what it used to be, as evidenced by over 30 years of scientific research, and by the oral history of the area, related through stories shared by local fishermen, divers, some of the first glass bottom boat operators and general recreationists (all before my time). Unfortunately, the uptake of science into management has been slow and an ecosystem approach to management remains elusive. Diving in Buccoo, you can see the relics of what it used to be. Large fallen treelike corals (Elkhorn corals) which once dominated Buccoo, now lie broken and dead on the seafloor, providing the bedrock on which the current Buccoo Reef has developed: an altered state, but still acceptable. A new regime of conditions (a combination of conditions necessary for reef
Environment TOBAGO newsletter
Page 13
growth and stressors limiting growth) has re-shaped our current reef ecosystems. It is very likely if these stressors continue to intensify and synergise, there will be another change in Buccoo Reef to an alternate state, one which provides fewer goods and services. The Buccoo Reef is a dynamic system. It is constantly changing. It will not remain a treasured part of Tobago’s heritage without appropriate management. The Buccoo Reef Marine Park is an effort to protect the legacy of an iconic part of Tobago’s identity, but, like our Australian counterparts at the Great Barrier Reef, much of the effort to protect and conserve the Buccoo Reef, must deal with managing activities outside the park. References: Leopold, Aldo. "A Sand County Almanac. 1949." New York: Ballantine (1970). Holling, Crawford S. "Resilience and stability of ecological systems." Annual review of ecology and systematics 4, no. 1 (1973): 1-23.
TOBAGO: ISLAND IN AN OCEAN AT RISK Jahson Alemu On Tobago, no one lives further than walking distance from a coast. A majority of the population derives its livelihood from the sea: whether it is indirectly through tourism, or directly from an occupation on the sea. People are also heavily dependent on transportation and supplies by sea – ferries from Trinidad – and energy sources – oil, gas, electricity – conveyed to the island by boat or undersea cable or pipeline. The west coast of Tobago is washed by the Caribbean Sea; the east coast by the Atlantic Ocean. The island is bathed by the Guiana current bringing seasonal outflow from South America’s mighty Orinoco river. This week, we look at some of the changes in the state of the ocean, and the likely effects on Tobago and its people. We also consider some of the things that communities might do to stop the decline. The principal source is the overview of the first World Ocean Assessment (WOA) report compiled and published by the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) in 2016. What are the significant findings of the first World Ocean Assessment report?
“The findings indicate that the oceans’ carrying capacity (its ability to sustain human activities and their impacts) is near or at its limit and urgent action on a global scale is needed to protect what remains.” (WOA Introduction) The authors of the report compiled information from more than 600 scientists nominated by UN member states. “Though the report is not a policy document, it provides the scientific basis for action by governments, intergovernmental processes, policy-makers and others involved in ocean affairs. This first WOA offers a baseline for gauging the effectiveness of management and policy decisions and provides guidance in developing strategies and technologies to solve
“ To many p eopl e t hes e tall pea ks make fo r a c hallen ging b ut s cenic hike. B u t t hey a re not jus t a no the r t all m oun tain to climb . ”
"On Tobago, no one lives further than walking distance from a coast. "
Page 14
Environment TOBAGO newsletter
problems.” (WOA Preface) What are the main drivers of changes in the oceans? According to the scientists, humans – population seven billion - have developed as a species at the expense of the environment, and we are reaching the limit of what the oceans are able to bear. “Human activity is causing widespread changes to the oceans’ physical, chemical and biological systems. The major driving forces of change in the ocean are to be found outside the marine environment. Just as most of the major drivers of anthropogenic climate change are land-based, the main drivers of increased pressures on marine biodiversity and marine environmental quality also come from activities on the land.” (WOA Drivers, Forces of Change) The main drivers are: Population growth Growth of coastal urban areas: the majority of the world’s population lives on low-lying coasts Rising individual consumption
"Humans have developed as a species at the expense of the environment."
What pressures are being inflicted on the ocean? Multiple pressures, and the compounded effects of different pressures acting upon each other create impacts in different parts of the ocean. These are some of the products that have ended up in the ocean: Nuclear waste Industrial waste Sewerage Medical waste Spills Biological and organic matter Chemicals Heavy metals Infectious microbes and other pathogens Agricultural runoff The ocean is the source of What are some of the widespread symptoms food and recreation for the arising in the state of the oceans? coastal populations of the “The waters are warming and becoming world. dangerously more acidic; commercial fish Photo courtesy Pat Ganase species have been in decline for decades; and coastal waters are experiencing increased pollution from both land based activities and from marine industries like aquaculture. ”As an example, this year, Australia’s Great Barrier Reef experienced its worst recorded episode of bleaching. … The damage to coral reefs can have wide ranging impact on not only the ecology but also on society and the economy.” In Trinidad and Tobago, dead fish washing ashore may be indicators of undersea pollution: hydrocarbon leaks, heavy metals, seismic activity. (WOA) What are some of the ways we can address threats to the ocean? These are examples of strategies adopted by governments and through intergovernmental agreements. Many of these apply to Tobago and Trinidad, and should be instituted, and enforced with penalties for infringements.
Environment TOBAGO newsletter
Page 15
Reduce inputs of hazardous substances; and institute measures in case of accidents Prevent maritime disasters such as collision, sinking of ships, hydrocarbon leaks; and implement and enforce agreements governing adverse impacts Improve fishery management Control tourism development to minimize adverse impacts Control solid waste disposal that can reach and affect the marine environment Improve control of offshore hydrocarbon industries and offshore mining Establish and maintain marine protected areas
What can we do to reverse any of the trends? Coral bleaching, ocean acidification and migration of fish species are some of the significant negative impacts. None of these is easily reversed. While the solution does not lie with single persons or actions, individuals acting together can make a difference. However, it will require massive commitment, with education at every level of society, from enlightened and determined leaders. There is need to organize communities, share knowledge, find out what’s happening in coastal communities, get feedback.
What are some of the activities that communities might undertake? Cooperative action is essential to any or all of the following: Reduce consumption, reduce waste, re-use and avoid single use (especially plastics), and recycle as a final solution Use renewable energy: solar applications are becoming more affordable, especially in multi-user communities Consume less of everything Secure waste disposal systems; know where your waste goes Install sewerage treatment plants Seek out information; discuss the state of the ocean Agitate local and national government for the changes and legislation that will make a difference, such as management of marine protected areas, enforcement of polluter rules, reduction and disposal systems for plastic. The seas are interconnected everywhere; and to reverse the human effects requires collective action. Communities need to be awakened, passions ignited to save the ocean. It is the only way to save human life as we know it. We are not too small, either in Tobago, or Trinidad, to take conscious steps to heal the ocean. For more information of the World Ocean Assessment https://uneplive.unep.org/media/docs/assessments/WOA_screen.pdf
report:
"The seas are interconnected everywhere; and to reverse the human effects requires collective action. "
“ To many p eopl e t hes e tall pea ks make fo r a c hallen ging b ut s cenic hike. B u t t hey a re not jus t a no the r t all m oun tain to climb . ”
Page 16
Environment TOBAGO newsletter
ECOLOGY NOTES What are Carbon Sinks? Jo-Anne Nina Sewlal Dept of Life Sciences, University of the West Indies
“Soil is the second largest carbon sink after oceans."
The term “carbon sink” is not a strange one as in recent years increasing attention has been placed on climate change and global warming. A carbon sink can be defined as “natural systems that suck up and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere”. When most persons hear the term the image of a lush tropical rainforest might come to mind. They are not incorrect for thinking this, but what many may not know is that rainforests are not the only form of carbon sinks found on our planet. Before going further we need to know that carbon dioxide in our atmosphere is not a bad thing. We need it to keep our planet worm and for the conditions that support life as we know it to continue. But the problem comes when there is too much carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Like forests, oceans act as important carbon sinks absorbing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and returning oxygen. When carbon dioxide dissolves in water it forms a dilute carbonic acid. Oceans are also very important carbon sinks, since they cover a large area, they make a huge impact in regulating this greenhouse gas. Many people may not realise that soil is the second largest carbon sink after oceans. It is able to trap carbon by the vegetation that grows in it which is able to draw out carbon via photosynthesis. Carbon that is not used for plant growth above ground is deposited in the soil via the roots. This carbon can remain dormant and out of the atmosphere for millennia. But bear in mind that not all soils are equal and some are capable of storing more carbon than others. Wetlands also act as carbon sinks, absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere also decomposition is slowed down and in turn the release of carbon dioxide from the organisms that carry out this job. But much of the carbon that they store is in the form of peat, which is decayed plant matter that has accumulated in a waterlogged environment that lacks oxygen. The amount of carbon it contains is equivalent to “twice the amount of carbon stored in the organic material of all the forests in the world.” However, they play an important role towards protecting our environment by locking this carbon away and preventing it from entering our environment. We also have ancient carbon sinks on our planet such as ancient peat bogs which are an enormous source of organic carbon. These ancient carbon sinks are covered by permafrost or cryotic soil as it is also known is soil that maintains a temperature at or below the freezing point of water (0oC) for two or more years. It is found in high altitudes near the north and south poles, as well as in lower latitudes where it is found at high elevation like in the Rocky Mountains in North America and closer to home in the Andes in South America. Rising global temperatures threaten to cause the permafrost layer to thaw and release huge amounts of greenhouse gases, for such as methane, which is 20 times more powerful than carbon dioxide. This is just another example of how amazing this planet is in its ability to maintain balance in its environment. However, it is up to us not to disrupt it through our activities.
Environment TOBAGO newsletter
Page 17
Tobago's Biodiversity
“ To many p eopl e t hes e tall pea ks make fo r a c hallen ging b ut s cenic hike. B u t t hey a re not jus t a no the r t all m oun tain to climb . �
Left column (top to bottom): Mushrooms (Kingdom: Fungi), Hermit Crab (Superfamily: Paguroidea) and Stinkbugs (Family: Pentatomidae) Right column (top to bottom): Anolis (Anolis sp.) and Frangipani Hornworm caterpillar (Pseudosphinx tetrio) (Photos by Karl Phillips, Matt Kelly, Gail Hampshire and others)
Environment TOBAGO newsletter
Page 18
WHAT’S HAPPENING @ ET
ET is now on Facebook and Twitter We invite everyone on Facebook to join. Here we will post upcoming events, links, photos and videos on ET matters and other environmental issues. ET group link: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/ group.php?gid=53362888661&ref=ts And keep up to date on what we are up to by following us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/environ_tobago
Environment TOBAGO Environmental and Services Map of Tobago They are excellent and will be published every two years. Published in January 2008. Requests for these maps can be made to ET office.
Volunteers needed!
Persons who are interested in helping with cataloguing and filing of ET’s educational, research and operational material and archiving.
New Members
ET has a membership of 433 worldwide, ET welcomes the following member:
J. Kerr
Literature Available
The Tropical Rainforest of Tobago — The Main Ridge Graham Wellfare and Hema Singh Published by Environment TOBAGO pp 37 Price: TT120.
Environment TOBAGO newsletter
Page 19
Environment TOBAGO t-shirts and caps now available
Type: Polos Size: Small, Medium & Large Price: TT$150.00 Colours: Kelly green, royal blue, red, gold and ash grey Description: ET logo embroidered on left breast, sponsor’s logo printed on the back.
Type: Regular tees Size: Small, Medium & Large Price: TT$100.00 Colours: Kelly green, red, black, navy blue, ash, purple, royal blue and black forest Description: ET logo printed on front and sponsor logos on sleeves at the back centre
Type: Lady’s tees Size: Small & Medium Price: TT$100.00 Colours: Lime green, red and black Description: ET logo printed on front and sponsor logo at the back centre
Price: TT$120.00
Orders can be made through the office.
Products featuring artwork from Rainforest Education & Awareness Programme
Tote bags-TT$120
Burlap bags -TT$120
Postcards TT$15 per card or TT$100 for a pack of Drawstring bags-TT$130
Environment TOBAGO newsletter
Page 20
READERS’ FORUM Dear ET Newsletter Readers, Office:
11 Cuyler Street Scarborough, Tobago, W.I.
Mailing address:
P.O. Box 503, Scarborough, Tobago, W.I.
Phone: 1-868-660-7462 Fax: 1-868-660-7467 E-mail: envir@tobago.net
We want to hear from YOU! Comments may be edited for length and clarity. Send your comments to: joannesewlal@gmail.com or envir@tobago.net
GUIDELINES TO CONTRIBUTORS Articles on the natural history and environment are welcome especially those on Trinidad and Tobago. Articles should not exceed approximately 1200 words (2 pages) and the editors reserve the right to edit the length. Images should be submitted as separate files. Submit material to any of the following: 1) joannesewlal@gmail.com 2) envir@tobago.net
We are on the web http:// www.Environmenttobago.net
Deadline for submission of material for the 3rd Quarter 2017 issue of the Bulletin is September 10, 2017.