http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/ JamaicaObserver.com, the most concise and in-depth website for news coverage on Jamaica and the Caribbean. Updated daily 7 days a week, 24 hours a day en-us copyright Jamaica Observer, 2011 http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/environment/Towards-the-future-we-want_14309894 ON the occasion of International Day for Biological Diversity, Secretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon is urging parties to the convention to ratify the Nagoya Protocol adopted in October 22, 2010 in Nagoya, Japan. Local Environmental Wed, 22 May 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/environment/Celebrating-biodiversity_14310412 JAMAICA has been ranked fifth among islands of the world in terms of endemic plants. The country also enjoys a high level of endemism for animal species. It has: Local Environmental Wed, 22 May 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/environment/2013-Environment-Calendar_14310592 May 22 — International Day for Biological Diversity Local Environmental Wed, 22 May 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/environment/Moneague-tops-REAP_14291916 MONEAGUE Primary and Junior High topped 24 schools at the awards ceremony for the inaugural Lasco Releaf Enviromental Awareness Programme (REAP) held last Tuesday at the Knutsford Court. Local Youth Tue, 21 May 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/environment/Outdated-planning-policies-hurting-region_14266436 ENVIRONMENTALIST Dr Kwame Emmanuel has rapped successive regional governments for ignoring scientific data in their drafting and execution of planning policies, the result of which he said has been costly. Local Environmental Wed, 15 May 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/environment/CORAL-COLLAPSE-can-be-avoided--researchers-say_14240382 IT is undeniable that coral reefs are in decline, but with concerted effort, their collapse can be averted. Local Environmental Wed, 15 May 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/environment/Moneague-REAPs-big_14268816 Eleven-year-old Aaliyah Thomas (right) of Moneague Primary and Junior High and her schoolmate 10-year-old Cadayne Lewis display the trophy signalling their win of the LASCO Releaf Environmental Awareness Programme (REAP) at the Knutsford Court Hotel yesterday. In addition to the trophy, which is courtesy of RJR Communications Group, the students bagged 10 computers for their school from LASCO REAP, scholarships from NCB Foundation, vouchers from BH Paints, and gift baskets from Lasco. They are joined here by (from left) managing director of Lasco Distributors, Peter Chin; managing director of Lasco Manufacturing, Dr Eileen Chin; marketing rep from NCB Foundation, Jacinth Collie; chairman and CEO of Lasco Affiliated Companies, Lascelles Chin; principal Marcia Hinds; and teachers Annette McDonald and Cordella West, who were awarded Top Teachers and got resort weekends for two. The other major sponsor of the event was Sandals Foundation, which gifted winners of sectional prizes with X-box games. LASCO REAP was launched in October 2012 in an effort to reinforce Jamaica's position as the 'land of wood and water'. It targets primary schools and encourages children to become more actively involved in their environment. Local Environmental Wed, 15 May 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/environment/2013-Environment-Calendar_14266393 February 02 -- World Wetlands Day Local Environmental Wed, 15 May 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/environment/The-cost-of-inaction_14223127 IF the Caribbean does nothing to mitigate the effects of climate change, the region could lose US$10.7 billion per year by 2025 in the categories of hurricane damage, loss of tourism revenue, and infrastructure damage. That's five per cent of current regional GDP. Local Environmental Sat, 11 May 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/environment/One-man-s-Trash---_14191966 WITH old tyres sourced form the Riverton Landfill, residents of Melbrook in Harbour View are building themselves two retaining walls to guard against flooding and land slippages which have plagued their community for years. Local Environmental Wed, 08 May 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/environment/Japan-funds-Caricom-s-enviro-policy_14157512 GEORGETOWN, Guyana — The Government of Japan is assisting the Caribbean Community (Caricom) to develop a regional integrated environmental policy which is intended to enhance environmental sustainability as a driver of investment, economic growth and a better quality of life in the region. Local Environmental Thu, 02 May 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/environment/Wanted--Robust--enforced-building-codes_14170204 OVERHAULING Jamaica's energy use profile as a singular measure against the effects of climate change won't be enough to protect the island from the related hazards such as rising sea levels, increased air temperature and more intense storms and hurricanes. Local Environmental Wed, 01 May 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/environment/We-want-people-to-say-they-love-where-they-live_14177044 THE Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) is in the midst of creating a social media campaign to raise awareness of the importance of the environment. Local Environmental Wed, 01 May 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/environment/The-natural-pecking-order_14139071 Students from several Kingston schools got the opportunity last Tuesday to pet birds at Hope Zoo. The occasion was a fun day the Ministry of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change hosted for them in observance of Earth Day, which was commemorated around the world on Monday, May 22. Here, the minister, Robert Pickersgill, seems bemused by a youngster from Rosemount Primary and Junior High who, from the look on her face, had some concerns about birds eating out of her hand. Local Environmental Wed, 01 May 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/environment/Marine-awareness_14169816 Kings Primary students display mixed emotions as they examine a sea urchin shown to them by their teacher Carlton Forrest. The students were part of the Sandals Foundation/Sandals Whitehouse marine awareness field trip which gave them access to first-hand information on marine life and the role they play in helping to preserve it. Local Environmental Wed, 01 May 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/environment/Cadets-clean-up-and-explore_14117044 As the Sandals Foundation continues its Marine Awareness campaign throughout the month of April, Volunteers within the Montego Bay region once again engaged youngsters — this time cadets from the William Knibb and St James High Marine Units — in an interactive Marine Awareness initiative. Local Youth Tue, 30 Apr 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/environment/The-Green-in-Green-Grotto_14137563 DISCOVERY BAY, St Ann — It's not its name nor its location in the lush surroundings of the garden parish that makes the Green Grotto Caves "green". The denotation refers to the attraction's environmental practices, which have seen it receiving the highest level of certification worldwide. Local Environmental Wed, 24 Apr 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/environment/-Reduce--reuse--recycle-_14138172 ROBERT Pickersgill, minister of water, land, environment and climate change, has reiterated that parents and educators need to teach the younger generation the importance of reducing, reusing and recycling. Local Environmental Wed, 24 Apr 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/environment/Jamaicans-celebrate-Earth-Day_14138598 Earth Day was observed around the world on Monday, April 22. Here are scenes of some of the ways Jamaicans celebrated. Local Environmental Wed, 24 Apr 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/environment/Alternative-energy-gadgets-on-show_14084211 FOR something so technologically advanced, it sure looks antiquated. On closer inspection, however, you realise that where it loses points in physical appearance, it makes up for it in its remote control capacity and multiple USB ports. Local Environmental Wed, 17 Apr 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/environment/SEED-awards_14084726 INNOVATIVE and inspiring social and environmental entrepreneurs from Jamaica and other parts of the world can win a tailor-made support package to help expand their business, as part of the 2013 SEED Awards, which opened yesterday. Local Environmental Wed, 17 Apr 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/environment/Wigton-to-add-62--more-wind-power_14084292 Wigton Windfarm Limited's (WWFL) plans to start expansion this year. Local Business Wed, 17 Apr 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/environment/We-grow-what-we-eat_14004563 Sandals Montego Bay's landscaping manager Beverly Robinson works with landscaper Ricardo Murray to reap pak choi grown on the hotel property. Other vegetables planted there include carrots, pumpkins, mint, scallion, cantaloupes, and melons. The landscaping team has stood at the helm of the resort's environmental programme, which has allowed the resort to remain self-sufficient and has won it EarthCheck platinum certification. The team is responsible for creating and maintaining a compost system, retaining as much natural vegetation as possible on the property, participating in waste water management programmes, encouraging lawn growth to reduce water run-off and soil erosion due to rain and irrigation activities, and where feasible, maintain a herb and vegetable garden that partly supplies the hotel kitchens. Local Environmental Wed, 17 Apr 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/environment/ATL-expands-into-alternative-energy_14082659 APPLIANCE Traders Limited (ATL) has expanded into the alternative energy business. Local Business Wed, 17 Apr 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/environment/Regional-countries-agree-to-biosphere-reserves_14016553 ST JOHN'S, Antigua (CMC) - Caribbean Community (Caricom) countries are among several nations committed to a ministerial declaration and a three-year action plan that aims, among other things, to create at least one biosphere reserve in each Caribbean small island developing state. Local Environmental Wed, 10 Apr 2013 02:00:00 GMT