Outdoor Living/Hurricane 2022

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2022 Hurricane Q&A With BWS

If you’ve lived in Bermuda through a Hurricane season you quickly become aware that our anxiety surrounding hurricanes tends to increase rapidly in September and October! This year we reached out to Bermuda Weather Service to chat about what they have seen this 2022 Hurricane Season. Deputy Director, Michelle Pitcher, gives us some amazing insight into the challenges, technology and climate trends they have been facing.

It’s Never Too Late to Protect Yourself from Sun Damage

As people age, they tend to think that sun damage to their skin has been done and forgo the need for sunscreen, however sun damage isn’t a finite thing. The Bermuda Cancer & Health Centre bring us some great advice - if you are at home in your garden, on the boat or partaking in public holiday events or out getting a little exercise, remember to use sunscreen!

10

Small Steps Can Make a Big Impact Over Time!

We must act now and fight Climate Change together! Renewable energy solutions are crucial for Bermuda’s future, not just for everyday energy generation but also for daily life essentials like transportation. Local company Clean Energy Storage Solutions (CESS) advise that the first step is - understanding how renewable energy works. Once you’ve switched with smaller steps, it’s time to start looking at the bigger picture!

13 BUSINESS PROFILES:

this

a

at 2 amazing

doing some

Fred Pimentel of Longtail Pools Ltd. strives to be an honest and reliable service that offers a great job for an affordable price, and Tracy Astwood goes back to basics with The Harvest Market, sourcing in-season quality meat, fish, eggs, and produce from trusted small, independent farms.

Photo by: Adrian Cunningham

2022 Hurricane Earl bashing John Smith’s Bay on the South Shore

2022 HURRICANE Q&A WITH BWS

If you’ve lived in Bermuda through a Hurricane season you quickly become aware that our anxiety surrounding hurricanes tends to increase rapidly in September and October! These months see the highest number of storms with low wind shear and the warmest sea temperatures.

This year we reached out to Bermuda Weather Service (BWS), to chat about what they have seen this 2022 Hurricane Season. Deputy Director, Michelle Pitcher, gives us some amazing insight into the challenges, technology and climate trends they have been facing.

Here is an excerpt from the National Hurricane Center’s Atlantic Current Season’s Summary (as of 01 October):

Tropical cyclone activity in the Atlantic basin during September was ABOVE NORMAL in terms of the number of named storms, hurricanes, and major hurricanes.

Six named storms formed in the basin during September with four of those becoming hurricanes, and two becoming major hurricanes. One unnamed tropical depression also formed.

Based on a 30-year climatology (1991-2020), four or five named storms typically develop in September, with three of them becoming hurricanes, and one of those becoming a major hurricane.

Fiona made landfall in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and the Turks and Caicos Islands as a hurricane, and affected Atlantic Canada as a powerful post-tropical cyclone. Ian made two landfalls as a major hurricane, one in western Cuba and one along the southwest coast of Florida, and another landfall as a hurricane in South Carolina.

Usually Bermuda has one or two cyclones that watches and/or warnings need to be issued for. We had three in 2021 and now three so far in 2022.

200 nm to the east) as a category 4 and this year, while Fiona passed us as a category 3 hurricane, it re-intensified back to a category 4 afterwards. The sea surface temperature is getting warmer each year globally and warm ocean water fuels tropical cyclones. Prior to Hurricane Sam, category 4 hurricanes have come close to the Island, but have weakened to a category 3 before impacting our area (Nicole 2016, Gonzalo 2014).

One alarming trend is that stronger hurricanes are coming further north. A category 4 hurricane impact has not been felt in Bermuda in living memory. Last year, Hurricane Sam passed us (just under

Autonomous technology is increasing in scope and sophistication. There is a growing types of drones that are deployed into hurricanes by various government and academic entities. These drones capture data in the atmosphere, on and under the ocean surface that it would be unsafe for people to pilot vehicles. These include flight reconnaissance drones launched out of hurricane hunter aircraft, Saildrones that float on the surface of the water a capture data on waves and sea surface temperature, and gliders & floating drifters, that can capture temperature data through the water column of the upper ocean.

QU: What has been your biggest challenge at BWS in recent years?

As with most businesses, resources are a main challenge. We have a small staff for what we do and that staff have a limited amount of time for tasks outside of our remit. COVID, of course, was a huge challenge as we needed to quickly figure out how to allow over 50% of our staff to work remotely and still be able to maintain our high standards. It was a good push to using existing software more effectively and going mostly paperless as we reviewed regulations to see what our options were. As an essential service, we took as many precautions as reasonably possible to ensure the health and safety of our staff.

QU: Do you have a primary takeaway message for our readers?

Regardless of how active or non-active a tropical season is expected to be, early preparations are key to not be caught out. It only takes one cyclone to make it a busy season for Bermuda.

QU: How has this year’s hurricane season measured up against previous years, are we seeing more or less storm activity and intensity?

QU: What trends are you seeing that are consistent and would you say that they are a direct result of climate change?

QU: Does the BWS have any new technology on the horizon that you can share with our readers or has anything new come into play in recent years that you’d like to elaborate on.

It’S nEvER too LatE to pROTECT yOURSElF FROm SUn DAmAgE

Expert Advice from Bermuda Cancer & Health Centre

As people age, they tend to think that sun damage to their skin has been done and forgo the need for sunscreen, however sun damage isn’t a finite thing.

By continuing to leave your skin unprotected, you risk pushing your immune system past its breaking point. This is when your immune system fails to repair mutations, and skin cancer begins.

Leaving your skin unprotected also speeds up the aging process making you look older, faster, and remember, skin cancer does not discriminate when it comes to skin colour.

Sunscreen is an essential tool in the fight against skin cancer, including melanoma, the deadliest form. However, with that said all sunscreens are not created equally. A 2019 report from Environmental Working Group (EWG) found that nearly two-thirds of sunscreens don’t work and contain concerning ingredients that are readily absorbed by the body. A recent study found that sunscreen chemicals hit the bloodstream within a day of using them, and at levels high enough to prompt government investigations on safety. So, it’s time to put some damage limitation into effect - no matter your age.

HERE’S WHat tHE SkIn CanCER FounDatIon ADVISES On STAyIng SAFE In THE SUn;

1.

the shade, especially between 10am

not let your skin

tanning and never use

4pm

rays. Look for the active ingredients of ZINC OXIDE and TITANIUM DIOXIDE. Opt for this sunscreen if you have sensitive skin.

wHAT TO AVOID

Chemical sunscreens which contain the following active ingredients: oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate and octinoxate, Vitamin A (retinyl palmitate) and insect repellent. The Environmental Working Group and other toxicology experts believe that these are linked to hormone disruptions and potentially to cell damage that may lead to skin cancer.

Also, avoid products such as sprays and powders as they are inconsistent. Breathing in chemicals can be harmful and SPF 50 and above contain more chemicals than protection.

HOw TO Apply

Most adults need about one ounce of sunscreen, ENOUgH TO FILL A SHOT gLASS, to fully cover their body.

Sunscreen can protect your skin against skin cancer and premature aging, however, it is not as effective unless it’s applied correctly.

Apply sunscreen generously before going outdoors, especially before going swimming. It takes approximately 20 minutes for your skin to absorb the sunscreen and protect you. If you wait until you are in the sun or in the water to apply sunscreen, your skin is unprotected and can burn.

up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed

Apply sunscreen to all bare skin. Remember your neck, face, ears, the top of your feet and legs, front and back. For hard‐to‐reach areas like your back, ask someone to help you. If you have thinning hair, either apply sunscreen to your scalp and wear a wide‐brimmed hat. To protect your lips, apply a lip balm with an SPF of at least 15.

CHOOSIng A SUnSCREEn

Choose a sunscreen that has an SPF of 30, is water resistant, and provides broad-spectrum coverage, which means it protects you from UVA and UVB rays.

Choose a mineral-based sunscreen, this sunscreen

LIKE

SHIELD; it sits on the surface of your skin, deflecting the sun’s

To remain protected when outdoors, reapply sunscreen every two hours, or immediately after swimming or sweating. People who get sunburned usually didn’t use enough sunscreen, didn’t reapply it after being in the sun or used an expired product. Your skin is exposed to the sun’s harmful UV rays every time you go outside, even on cloudy days and in the winter.

So whether you are at home in your garden, on the boat or partaking in public holiday events or out getting a little exercise, remember to use sunscreen.

SmAll STEpS CAn mAkE A

bIg ImpACT OVER TImE

We must

and fight Climate Change together!

Renewable energy solutions are crucial for Bermuda’s future, not just for everyday energy generation but also for daily life essentials like transportation. The cost of energy will continue to increase and natural disasters like hurricanes will only intensify as long if we continue as is. Bermuda will suffer and we will see big impacts in our own backyards soon enough.

Ideally Bermuda must put an end to things like importing fossil fuels, but would that even be enough? No, it wouldn’t. As individuals, families and businesses we must get educated and do our part by making small conscious changes that will make a big impact over time. We can then build on those changes and tackle larger challenges with the right collective decisions as we move forward together.

FACT:

Globally we need to reduce carbon intensity by 77% by 2030. That’s just 7 years from now. Despite the rise in energy prices and threats

to our global energy supply this only strengthens our need to invest in renewable energy capacity.

FIRST STEp

the first step is - understanding how renewable energy works.

Think about Bermuda’s abundant natural resources, sunlight, wave and wind, the earth and our atmosphere are constantly replenishing them naturally. They are all around us each and every day. Education is key for the general population. The question we should ask ourselves is, how can renewable energy help my family and I or my business? Are there renewable energy solutions available to assist both those on the island with a modest or small budget to those with a much larger spending capacity? The answer is an emphatic “yes”.

Local company Clean Energy Storage Solutions (CESS) offers cost effective renewable energy solutions through trusted partners globally that are both affordable and accessible to everyone in Bermuda.

Whether you’re a novice consumer who knows nothing or very little about renewable energy or you’re savvy on the subject and are fortunate to have a larger spending budget, CESS has a solution to get you locked in for the fight against Climate Change from small steps to tackling bigger challenges when the time is right. CESS will educate you throughout your clean energy journey.

Make the switch with these small steps: Choose Energy Efficient Lighting

Did

know that having more efficient lighting in

home or at your business reduces your electricity demand, resulting in cost savings that really adds

time?

Expert Advice from Dwayne Trott of Clean Energy Storage Solutions

Choose Energy Efficient appliances

Invest in more energy efficient appliances like, air conditioners, refrigerators, stoves, dishwashers, freezers, ovens, ceiling fans and more, the options are endless.

THE bIggER pICTURE

once you’ve switched with smaller steps, it’s time to start looking at the bigger picture.

Invest In a Water Heating System

Traditional hot water heaters are energy hogs, replacing them with energy efficient heating solutions such as Solar Thermo Dynamic Heating will lower your carbon footprint and your monthly utility bill. These systems are quick and non-disruptive to install and there is absolutely no maintenance necessary.

Invest In Solar panels and Battery Storage Solutions

These days’ solar panels are everywhere, and there are many options to consider when outfitting your home or business. Did you know that you can use energy created during the day by your solar panel at night? Pretty awesome! Solar panels produce 100% clean energy, and they reduce your utility bills saving you money. Solar panels also offer better performance under a wider range of conditions, and they have low maintenance costs. Battery storage solutions will allow you to have access to clean energy once the sun goes down in the evening.

Electric vehicles

Transitioning our transport industry to electric buses, trucks, cars and bikes is also a must. The transport industry in addition to energy generation is also a major contributor to Co2 emissions. Bermuda is still in an early adoption phase in this area too.

A subsidiary of CESS - Zeroe Bermuda Limited (zeroeworld.com), is focused on Electric Vehicles for commercial and residential purposes. They were the first company to import the first Electric “box” truck to Bermuda in 2022.

A DIFFEREnT pERSpECTIVE

Another way to look at it is preparing in advance for things like Hurricane Season. These events happen every year, if we start planning now, we can be clean energy powered for next season and beyond. There are cost effective, noise free, pollution free; mobile renewable energy solutions that are supported by portable, durable, powerful solar panels that can charge your solar battery solutions while they are being used. These solutions can be customised based on the critical load they are supposed to support like your air conditioning units, fridge, water pump, phone chargers and even your skill saw.

As a country Bermudians must get educated and take heed while accepting the fact that climate change is real and if we don’t transition soon that 77% will become an impossible task and we will really start seeing those big impacts in our own backyards.

We have no choice if we want to save our island, and we need to transition to distributed renewable energy model faster that our current track that will allow us to start to develop our own energy security. It’s a must!!

Despite the fact there are calls to transition to renewables around the world at 15x our current pace, this should done through finding the right fit for everyone and their budget so that together we all move forward with renewable energy solutions and plans to intensify

Longtail pools Ltd.

Honest and reliable pool cleaning & maintenance.

It’s been two decades since Fred Pimental started in the pool maintenance trade, with two of the Island’s most respected companies, at the time. Under the highest of standards he honed his skills and in 2012, he applied it all to his own company, Longtail Pools Ltd.. Today, Longtail strives to be an honest and reliable service that offers a great job for an affordable price.

5 Reasons to Choose Longtail pools:

1. With over a decade servicing Bermuda, Longtail ensure that all of their technicians are certified and ready to provide high quality service for every client.

2. Longtail offers weekly service, year round. They believe that it’s important to understand that, like many things, if you wait too long in-between service, your pool condition can end up costing you more in the long run to get things clean and balanced again.

3. While a salt-water pool can be a lot of work to maintain, Longtail specialise in them. They can work best in Bermuda, and eliminate the need for PH and Alk in most, depending on your pool surface.

4. If you’re interested in a pool that is as chemical free as possible, Longtail Pools is a great fit for you!

5. Longtail work closely with clients to keep the costs down by encouraging cleaning your pool throughout the week. Longtail are always there consistently to ensure there are no problems.

the Harvest Market

A hub of offerings for every occasion through passion, dedication and research.

Tracy Astwood goes back to basics with The Harvest Market, sourcing in-season quality meat, fish, eggs, and produce from trusted small, independent farms. Her partnerships with small local and overseas US farmers give customers access to sustainably grown, non-GMO produce. Humanely raised, antibiotic and hormone free, all quality meats, poultry and wild caught local and Pacific seafood is minimally processed and direct from the farm.

5 amazing Benefits of the Harvest Market:

1. Order a humanly raised centerpiece for your holiday family dinner this season! Pre-order your turkey, ham and prime rib roast by November 15th. Everything is arriving just in time for the holidays.

2. The Devour Club Membership is an ideal gift idea, with monthly deliveries of fresh premium selections including grass-fed and organic free-range meats. Choose from 3, 6 and 12-month options.

3. As a member you’ll gain access to wholesale pricing, discounted shipping rates and the Harvest Bucks rewards program and you’ll be the first to know about new farms or products available.

4. Subscription plans are a great option for families where you can choose wild ocean direct; frozen fresh and delivered monthly.

5. By choosing The Harvest Market, you are supporting farming partners who share common values including healthy lives for the animals and sustainable practices.

Keep your cool or take the heat, summer and winter

Install an energy-efficient, reverse-cycle air conditioning system and get ready for Bermuda’s climate – all year round. Call BAC today to find out more about a system that will suit your home and budget.

9 Mill Creek Road Pembroke HM 05 Tel: 441-292-0881 www.bac.bm

Live. Bold.

KOHLER sinks, faucets and showerheads. Where sleek design meets smart functionality. When you purchase a KOHLER product from our KOHLER Registered Showroom, we can guarantee you’ll get a quality product with quality customer service.

9 Mill Creek Road Pembroke HM 05 Tel: 441-292-0881 www.bac.bm

Get ready for Hurricane Season with a generator from BAC Universal Electric.

Whatever size home you have, we’ve got the generator style and size to fit – from portable to built-in models. We also service all types of generators and can provide maintenance contracts – so you can keep the power on, all year long.

4 Mill Reach Lane Pembroke HM 05 Tel: 441-292-5372

BERMUDA AIR CONDITIONING