Environment

St Kitts Launches New Coral Reef Monitoring Program

Barbuda Is Looking to Go 100 Percent Green

The Eastern Caribbean island of Barbuda is looking to become a 100 percent green energy island. That’s the plan behind the proposed Green Barbuda Energy project, which, if approved, would be supported by a regional grant from the government of …

Caribbean Coral Reef Report Cards

Why the Nature Conservancy launched Caribbean Coral Reef Report Cards By Lucienne Cross CJ Contributor Only a lucky few have the opportunity to go underwater and experience the coral reefs of the Eastern Caribbean, yet nearly everyone on these small …

In Curaçao, Planting New Coral Reefs

As the coral reef population plummets around the world, the Dutch Caribbean is taking the lead in the fight to grow new reefs. In Curaçao, the Coral Restoration Foundation continues to plant new coral “trees” in the island’s waters, and …

How a New Coffee Crop Is Helping a Dominican Community Thrive

By Erick F. Conde CJ Contributor Rust is not an issue you would usually associate with your coffee. However, for farmers here in the Dominican Republic along with many other countries throughout the Caribbean and Latin America, coffee rust or “roya …

The US Virgin Islands Is Making a New Push to Combat Climate Change

By the Caribbean Journal staff The US Virgin Islands is launching a new fight against the impact of climate change. Governor Kenneth Mapp has signed an executive order that provides for the launch of a territorial climate change initiative and …

A Boost for Green Energy in the Eastern Caribbean

By the Caribbean Journal staff The United Kingdom’s Department for International Development is increasing its support for the development of green energy in the Eastern Caribbean. The DFID has announced an agreement to contribute around $3.9 million USD to the …

Tracking Sea Turtles in the US Virgin Islands

By Kemit-Amon Lewis CJ Contributor Nesting sea turtles at The Nature Conservancy’s Jack and Isaac Bay Preserve on St. Croix, US Virgin Islands have been monitored since 1994 through beach patrols during nesting season, which occurs primarily in summer and …

Why Sandals and Guy Harvey Are Teaming Up

A new program in Caribbean schools By Dana Niland CJ Contributor The Sandals Foundation, the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, and CARIBSAVE (INSTASAVE Caribbean) have teamed up to launch an initiative called the Save Our Seas Program in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. …

A Major New Caribbean Biodiversity Project

USAID launches initiative By the Caribbean Journal staff The United States Agency for International Development and The Nature Conservancy have launched a major new project aimed at protecting critical marine ecosystems in the Caribbean. USAID launched the $12.5 million Caribbean Marine Biodiversity …

How Jamaica Is Providing Access to Green Tech

A new project By Dana Niland CJ Contributor The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has partnered with First Global Bank (FGB) to offer loans to businesses and individuals for the installation of climate-smart technologies in Jamaica. The loans …

This Caribbean Hotel Just Reached a New Level of Green

A new level of green By the Caribbean Journal staff It’s long been one of the Caribbean’s greenest hotels, but now Aruba’s Bucuti & Tara Beach Resorts has attained a new level of green certification: LEED Silver. The designation comes …

Bahamas Creating 15 New Marine Parks As Part of Major Expansion

Major expansion of protected areas By the Caribbean Journal staff The Bahamas is launching a major expansion of its marine protected areas. As part of its commitment under the Caribbean Challenge Initiative, the country has announced the creation of 15 …

St Kitts and Nevis Launches Pair of New Environmental Projects

A new green push By Dana Niland CJ Contributor St Kitts and Nevis is launching two major new environmental projects. The country’s Department of Environment has unveiled projects directed at conserving biodiversity and adapting to climate change in the twin-island …

Dominica Is Upgrading Its Seismic Network

Dominica enhancing earthquake monitoring By Dana Niland CJ Contributor Dominica is launching a $40 million upgrade to its seismic network. The project intends to reduce the island’s vulnerability to natural hazards – in this case, specifically, earthquakes– and the effects …

Jamaica’s $236 Million Green Energy Transformation

The island goes green By the Caribbean Journal staff Jamaica is going green in a big way, according to Energy Minister Phillip Paulwell. Indeed, there are a number of green energy projects either underway or set to launch on the …

How Colombia is Building Green

Above: Medellin By Dana Niland CJ Contributor Colombia has embarked on a significant new green building initiative. The plan to promote efficiency in water and energy use in new buildings is now receiving praise abroad, from both the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and …

Turks and Caicos Islands Adopts Green Energy Roadmap

By Dana Niland CJ Contributor The Turks and Caicos Islands has joined several other territories in adopting a Sustainable Energy Roadmap at the recent inaugural Summit of the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT). The OCT Roadmap addresses key strategies and …

UN’s Ban, in Barbados, Commends Caribbean on Green Efforts

Above: United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in Barbados (UN Photo/Evan Schneider) By Dana Niland CJ Contributor United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who is visiting Barbados for the 2015 Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Summit, has commended Caribbean states for their initiatives …