The Eastern Caribbean could thank God for Sahara dust, because this is what has prevented any significant storms from forming so far this season. With warm ocean temperatures, a lot of tropical waves, weak upper level winds and a lot of high pressure above us; if it were not for the Sahara dust, we would be experiencing a record breaking storm year.
When dust from the Sahara region gets into the air and travels with wind currents, it keeps the air around it dry. Many meteorologists believe that the dust prevents storm formation, and when observing satellite data and finding clear skies where there is dust and rain where there isn’t: it’s a pretty believable hypothesis.
But Sahara dust in our skies may be a blessing where hurricanes are concerned, those where the dust originates, ‘Sahara dust’ is not just plumes of sand blowing off barren dunes with little to no impact on others. It is also dried topsoil blowing off land that’s supposed to feed villages. It is also a critical indicator of what is going on in the environment on our sister continent; as the sun bakes the ground.
This is bad news for everyone: Sunlight is absorbed by plant life and moisture is added to the environment through a process called evapotranspiration. This is what makes the Amazon Basin the ‘lungs of the planet’. In Africa, the natural process of evapotranspiration has been interrupted by human activity.
As the vegetation has been reduced, the sun enters the atmosphere, bounces off the barren landscape back into space – and clouds don’t get a chance to form. This phenomenon is called the ‘Albedo’ effect. When clouds don’t form, vegetation can’t grow, when vegetation can’t grow, people and livestock go hungry, and thirsty, and the topsoil blows away.
Dust clouds have grown tenfold over the last half century and while this may provide a saving grace for those of us who look east to storms that could unfold upon us; The blessing that is sparing us, comes at the price of the suffering of others who need their soil and their environment just as much as we do. Having massive plumes of dust in the air, instead of on the ground supporting life, is saving lives on this side of the ocean: but taking lives on the other.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Germans Sponsor Solar Energy Project in Grenada
“When we succeed in this, all of Grenada will succeed”, were the words of Sir Daniel Williams, Governor General of Grenada, while he spoke about renewable energy at the launch ceremony of a solar system for Presentation Brothers College, in St. Georges, Grenada on June 4th.
According to the Governor General, the long term cost savings in solar energy far exceed the initial investment; which ultimately results in a net financial gain. For business, investments in solar energy could make companies more profitable as their energy costs decline the Governor General explained.
The Federal Republic of Germany provided the funding to install the photovoltaic system with a $29,000 cheque that was handed over by German Ambassador, Dr. Helmut Ohlruan at the ceremony. The German government is also encouraging the expansion of sustainable energy use through the Caribbean Renewable Energies Development Project.
While the effects of climate change are increasingly visible worldwide, and is expected to worsen, investments in sustainable energy technologies in Grenada, could position the country to be a highly competitive and prosperous country in the future.
Grenada is in the position of being able to exploit renewable energy to drive it’s economic growth, without the price tag of dismantling the outdated industries, more wealthy nations are facing.
For the students, this is already providing the kind of inspiration that drives innovation. After proudly pointing out plaques on wall that were won at the science fair for a project on alternative energy, three young visionaries from Form One insisted that being exposed to solar energy in a learning environment will drive innovation in Grenada.
Kishon Francis remarked that by learning about solar energy and seeing the effects (such as cost savings), Grenadian youth will soon be inventing even better energy systems for the future.
Mario Redhead also believed that exposure was a key to inspiration. “It is better technology, and they [students] will want to be like the person who made it”. Naquam Gilbert pointed out that solar energy would also be very helpful after a hurricane, to provide power.
The solar voltaic system that has been installed at Presentation Brothers college was provided by a local sustainable energy company called Grensol. Terry Pierre, Head of the Science Department, School Principal Mr. Jeremiah and Grensol are keen to foster inspiration and learning: So they hooked up the energy meter to a computer in the school so students can analyze the energy production, cost savings, and in the near future the data will also be available on the internet for others to use.
According to the Governor General, the long term cost savings in solar energy far exceed the initial investment; which ultimately results in a net financial gain. For business, investments in solar energy could make companies more profitable as their energy costs decline the Governor General explained.
The Federal Republic of Germany provided the funding to install the photovoltaic system with a $29,000 cheque that was handed over by German Ambassador, Dr. Helmut Ohlruan at the ceremony. The German government is also encouraging the expansion of sustainable energy use through the Caribbean Renewable Energies Development Project.
While the effects of climate change are increasingly visible worldwide, and is expected to worsen, investments in sustainable energy technologies in Grenada, could position the country to be a highly competitive and prosperous country in the future.
Grenada is in the position of being able to exploit renewable energy to drive it’s economic growth, without the price tag of dismantling the outdated industries, more wealthy nations are facing.
For the students, this is already providing the kind of inspiration that drives innovation. After proudly pointing out plaques on wall that were won at the science fair for a project on alternative energy, three young visionaries from Form One insisted that being exposed to solar energy in a learning environment will drive innovation in Grenada.
Kishon Francis remarked that by learning about solar energy and seeing the effects (such as cost savings), Grenadian youth will soon be inventing even better energy systems for the future.
Mario Redhead also believed that exposure was a key to inspiration. “It is better technology, and they [students] will want to be like the person who made it”. Naquam Gilbert pointed out that solar energy would also be very helpful after a hurricane, to provide power.
The solar voltaic system that has been installed at Presentation Brothers college was provided by a local sustainable energy company called Grensol. Terry Pierre, Head of the Science Department, School Principal Mr. Jeremiah and Grensol are keen to foster inspiration and learning: So they hooked up the energy meter to a computer in the school so students can analyze the energy production, cost savings, and in the near future the data will also be available on the internet for others to use.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
FAIR TRADE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY MARKET FOR GRENADA
For the last few decades, the world has seen a rapid expansion in global trade. This ‘trade’ can be deceiving however: In the 1970’s trade did mean buying and selling goods that were owned and produced in different regions and countries.
But in the 1980’s and 1990’s trade took on a new meaning as companies expanded beyond national borders, and began to produce their products in developing countries where they could exploit lower costs; saving money in wages, and regulatory standards.
In its most extreme form, the exploitation of developing countries need for foreign capital and economic investment has resulted in the creation of economic phenomena such as export processing zones, which are reputed to be rife with human, and labour rights violations, poor regulatory environments, and virtually no environmental standards. However, these problems are not limited to these ‘zones’.
Some call it slavery, and for those who measure it in these terms, slavery may arguably be more pervasive today than it was 300 years ago.
There is an alternative to this exploitative path towards economic growth. Fortunately the concept is catching on quickly enough to find that fair trade markets boasting growth rates far in excess of traditional markets; although quite a bit smaller in terms of their total dollar value.
Fair trade, is trade that is characterized by a few basic principles: Paying workers a fair wage for their work, ensuring respectable labour standards, establishing stable commodity prices (which is very helpful to farmers) and reducing the number of ‘middle-men’ involved in trade, where most of the profit goes in traditional trade structures.
Grenada, as a small nation has many assets that could embrace the fair trade market. Many farmers still use traditional, non-mechanized (and therefore labour intensive) farming practices, pesticide use is still quite limited and organic farming is widely practiced. Heritage seeds are still in the possession of farmers, which means that farmers are not dependant on buying seed every year.
Artisans have a wealth of resources to develop craft, such as soaps, candles, spice, art, sculpture and more.
Items like these, which foster fair wages and prices for the producer, and protect the environment, are becoming increasingly popular in the northern consumer markets. There are markets for things like the organic chocolate that is produced by the Grenada Chocolate Factory, for the soaps produced by Caribbean Naturals, and the natural insect repellants and colognes made by Arawak Islands.
With these examples in mind, Grenada arguably already has a fair trade market, which if successfully marketed overseas offer limitless potential as an export market for Grenada, while also offering other benefits that promote domestic economic stability.
But in the 1980’s and 1990’s trade took on a new meaning as companies expanded beyond national borders, and began to produce their products in developing countries where they could exploit lower costs; saving money in wages, and regulatory standards.
In its most extreme form, the exploitation of developing countries need for foreign capital and economic investment has resulted in the creation of economic phenomena such as export processing zones, which are reputed to be rife with human, and labour rights violations, poor regulatory environments, and virtually no environmental standards. However, these problems are not limited to these ‘zones’.
Some call it slavery, and for those who measure it in these terms, slavery may arguably be more pervasive today than it was 300 years ago.
There is an alternative to this exploitative path towards economic growth. Fortunately the concept is catching on quickly enough to find that fair trade markets boasting growth rates far in excess of traditional markets; although quite a bit smaller in terms of their total dollar value.
Fair trade, is trade that is characterized by a few basic principles: Paying workers a fair wage for their work, ensuring respectable labour standards, establishing stable commodity prices (which is very helpful to farmers) and reducing the number of ‘middle-men’ involved in trade, where most of the profit goes in traditional trade structures.
Grenada, as a small nation has many assets that could embrace the fair trade market. Many farmers still use traditional, non-mechanized (and therefore labour intensive) farming practices, pesticide use is still quite limited and organic farming is widely practiced. Heritage seeds are still in the possession of farmers, which means that farmers are not dependant on buying seed every year.
Artisans have a wealth of resources to develop craft, such as soaps, candles, spice, art, sculpture and more.
Items like these, which foster fair wages and prices for the producer, and protect the environment, are becoming increasingly popular in the northern consumer markets. There are markets for things like the organic chocolate that is produced by the Grenada Chocolate Factory, for the soaps produced by Caribbean Naturals, and the natural insect repellants and colognes made by Arawak Islands.
With these examples in mind, Grenada arguably already has a fair trade market, which if successfully marketed overseas offer limitless potential as an export market for Grenada, while also offering other benefits that promote domestic economic stability.
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
ALL OF GRENADA WILL SUCCEED WITH SOLAR ENERGY, GOVERNOR GENERAL SAYS
“When we succeed in this, all of Grenada will succeed”, were the words of Sir Daniel Williams, Governor General of Grenada, while he spoke about renewable energy at the launch ceremony of a solar system for Presentation Brothers College, in St. Georges, Grenada on June 4th.
According to the Governor General, the long term cost savings in solar energy far exceed the initial investment; which ultimately results in a net financial gain. For business, investments in solar energy could make companies more profitable as their energy costs decline the Governor General explained.
The Federal Republic of Germany provided the funding to install the photovoltaic system with a $29,000 cheque that was handed over by German Ambassador, Dr. Helmut Ohlruan at the ceremony. The German government is also encouraging the expansion of sustainable energy use through the Caribbean Renewable Energies Development Project.
While the effects of climate change are increasingly visible worldwide, and is expected to worsen, investments in sustainable energy technologies in Grenada, could position the country to be a highly competitive and prosperous country in the future. Grenada is in the position of being able to exploit renewable energy to drive it’s economic growth, without the price tag of dismantling the outdated industries, more wealthy nations are facing.
For the students, this is already providing the kind of inspiration that drives innovation. After proudly pointing out plaques on wall that were won at the science fair for a project on alternative energy, three young visionaries from Form One insisted that being exposed to solar energy in a learning environment will drive innovation in Grenada.
Kishon Francis remarked that by learning about solar energy and seeing the effects (such as cost savings), Grenadian youth will soon be inventing even better energy systems for the future.
Mario Redhead also believed that exposure was a key to inspiration. “It is better technology, and they [students] will want to be like the person who made it”. Naquam Gilbert pointed out that solar energy would also be very helpful after a hurricane, to provide power.
The solar voltaic system that has been installed at Presentation Brothers college was provided by a local sustainable energy company called Grensol. Terry Pierre, Head of the Science Department, the Principal, Mr. Jeremiah and Grensol are keen to foster inspiration and learning: So they hooked up the energy meter to a computer in the school so students can analyze the energy production, cost savings, and in the near future the data will also be available on the internet for others to use.
On June 4th, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, Dr. Helmut Ohlraun presented a cheque for $29,000 to the Presentation Brothers College to cover the costs of installing the first photovoltaic electricity system to be used as an alternative source of energy.
The Governor General, Sir Daniel Williams clearly understands the value of renewable energy, and took great care to explain the long term financial benefits and cost savings of investing in renewable energy such as solar power. In his words, “When we succeed in this, all of Grenada will succeed”
According to the Governor General, the long term cost savings in solar energy far exceed the initial investment; which ultimately results in a net financial gain. For business, investments in solar energy could make companies more profitable as their energy costs decline the Governor General explained.
The Federal Republic of Germany provided the funding to install the photovoltaic system with a $29,000 cheque that was handed over by German Ambassador, Dr. Helmut Ohlruan at the ceremony. The German government is also encouraging the expansion of sustainable energy use through the Caribbean Renewable Energies Development Project.
While the effects of climate change are increasingly visible worldwide, and is expected to worsen, investments in sustainable energy technologies in Grenada, could position the country to be a highly competitive and prosperous country in the future. Grenada is in the position of being able to exploit renewable energy to drive it’s economic growth, without the price tag of dismantling the outdated industries, more wealthy nations are facing.
For the students, this is already providing the kind of inspiration that drives innovation. After proudly pointing out plaques on wall that were won at the science fair for a project on alternative energy, three young visionaries from Form One insisted that being exposed to solar energy in a learning environment will drive innovation in Grenada.
Kishon Francis remarked that by learning about solar energy and seeing the effects (such as cost savings), Grenadian youth will soon be inventing even better energy systems for the future.
Mario Redhead also believed that exposure was a key to inspiration. “It is better technology, and they [students] will want to be like the person who made it”. Naquam Gilbert pointed out that solar energy would also be very helpful after a hurricane, to provide power.
The solar voltaic system that has been installed at Presentation Brothers college was provided by a local sustainable energy company called Grensol. Terry Pierre, Head of the Science Department, the Principal, Mr. Jeremiah and Grensol are keen to foster inspiration and learning: So they hooked up the energy meter to a computer in the school so students can analyze the energy production, cost savings, and in the near future the data will also be available on the internet for others to use.
On June 4th, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, Dr. Helmut Ohlraun presented a cheque for $29,000 to the Presentation Brothers College to cover the costs of installing the first photovoltaic electricity system to be used as an alternative source of energy.
The Governor General, Sir Daniel Williams clearly understands the value of renewable energy, and took great care to explain the long term financial benefits and cost savings of investing in renewable energy such as solar power. In his words, “When we succeed in this, all of Grenada will succeed”
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
NEW EVIDENCE SHOWS CLIMATE CHANGE WORSE THAN FEARED
When history books are written, 2007 is likely to be considered the year the world woke up to climate change. It began with the release of the UK Commissioned Stern Report early in the year that elaborated on the economic effects of climate change. Then the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a summary report for policy makers, while other reports shook the world with predictions of an ice free North Pole in the summertime as early as 30 years from now.
Now the National Snow and Ice Research Centre at the University of Boulder Colorado has released more information that reveals that the situation is far worse than has been reported thus far. Scientists at the Research Centre report that measurements taken over the last 50 years demonstrate that artic ice is actually melting three times faster than we thought.
According to real data taken from the field, we have lost an average of about 9% of the ice mass every ten years.
The implications of this are staggering. It reveals that the projections contained in the IPCC Report and the Stern Report and virtually all the computer models are not aggressive enough. At a rate of ice loss of nearly 9% per decade, polar ice caps will disappear much sooner than we thought, and as the melting continues, the global warming trend will speed up in a phenomenon called ‘The positive feedback loop’.
The best way to appreciate the impact of the positive feedback loop is to imagine a line of dominoes on a table, where when one is pushed over, the rest of the line of dominoes fall one after the other. Water absorbs more heat energy from the sun than ice does, because light penetrates water, while ice bounces the light rays back into space. As sunlight energy is absorbed by the water, more heat is trapped on the earth’s surface which in turn speeds up global warming.
Grenada’s Climate Change consultant, Leon Charles has explained in his draft of Grenada’s Climate Change Policy and Action Plan that the melting of the Greenland ice sheet alone would result in an estimated 7 metre sea level rise. To visualize that, picture a height almost equal to two stories in a house.
As we follow the global developments on climate change, and consider that the UN Security Council discussed climate change as a global threat to security for the first time on April 17th, and a possible emergency Climate Change Summit may be held in September of this year; we can only be thankful that Grenada is keeping pace with the rest of the world and will soon have a Climate Change Policy and Action Plan to help ensure our survival in this rapidly changing world.
Now the National Snow and Ice Research Centre at the University of Boulder Colorado has released more information that reveals that the situation is far worse than has been reported thus far. Scientists at the Research Centre report that measurements taken over the last 50 years demonstrate that artic ice is actually melting three times faster than we thought.
According to real data taken from the field, we have lost an average of about 9% of the ice mass every ten years.
The implications of this are staggering. It reveals that the projections contained in the IPCC Report and the Stern Report and virtually all the computer models are not aggressive enough. At a rate of ice loss of nearly 9% per decade, polar ice caps will disappear much sooner than we thought, and as the melting continues, the global warming trend will speed up in a phenomenon called ‘The positive feedback loop’.
The best way to appreciate the impact of the positive feedback loop is to imagine a line of dominoes on a table, where when one is pushed over, the rest of the line of dominoes fall one after the other. Water absorbs more heat energy from the sun than ice does, because light penetrates water, while ice bounces the light rays back into space. As sunlight energy is absorbed by the water, more heat is trapped on the earth’s surface which in turn speeds up global warming.
Grenada’s Climate Change consultant, Leon Charles has explained in his draft of Grenada’s Climate Change Policy and Action Plan that the melting of the Greenland ice sheet alone would result in an estimated 7 metre sea level rise. To visualize that, picture a height almost equal to two stories in a house.
As we follow the global developments on climate change, and consider that the UN Security Council discussed climate change as a global threat to security for the first time on April 17th, and a possible emergency Climate Change Summit may be held in September of this year; we can only be thankful that Grenada is keeping pace with the rest of the world and will soon have a Climate Change Policy and Action Plan to help ensure our survival in this rapidly changing world.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
GRENADA DOVE: THE ‘HART’ OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
One of the greatest challenges in sustainable development is reaching consensus among viewpoints that can vary as widely as sustainable development solutions can be perceived. Defining a ‘sustainable development path’ is no easy accomplishment. The attempt to define sustainability virtually began in 1972 during the Stockholm Summit on People and the Environment. This Summit marked the first time world leaders gathered to discuss environmental matters, and from it, the United Nations Environment Programme was founded.
Since then, numerous publications, summits, programmes, civil society groups, covenants and more have risen in an attempt to define, promote and ultimately to achieve sustainable development. Just as this debate has been raging on the world stage for decades, so it is happening in Grenada now. Civil society groups are raising a critical eye of observance on a recent amendment to the parks act, and plans to develop an area that has been reserved to protect the country’s national and critically endangered National bird, the Grenada Dove.
The Government does not believe they are abandoning their environmental responsibilities by allowing development to take place on Mount Hartman Estate; the land area that had been reserved as parkland, and is now at the centre of this controversy. The Government is attempting to balance economic needs with long term land management options. The environmental screen of the proposed development plan suggests that the steps being taken to protect the Dove may actually enhance its preservation rather than threaten it. For the Government, this is better than relying on project based funds, which bear a heavy accompanying administrative burden and no long term guarantees for financial support.
Civil society on the other hand, is attempting to point out that economic benefits and conservation can be achieved using different models of development. Ecotourism has been presented as one of those alternatives. In this model, tourism development and long term ‘value for land’ can be achieved by preserving natural assets and fostering the development of markets that generate profits through conservation, rather than through the more traditional brick and mortar approaches to development. Ecotourism has also proven to be a successful model for poverty alleviation, disaster risk mitigation (through environmental protection) as well as enjoying growth rates that have been reported as high as 30% in places like Costa Rica.
Is one side right and the other wrong? Regardless of where these stakeholders stand, any position that is focused on being in opposition of, or counter to another, is wrong: If the desired result is a sustainable solution. The only factor that we do know that must always be present is that people, from all walks of life, have to buy into an idea, concept or plan for it to be sustainable.
And thus, if a sustainable solution is to be realized from this currently polarized debate, both sides will have to take the time to listen to the other, and agree to work together so that if a win-win solution exists – it can be found.
Since then, numerous publications, summits, programmes, civil society groups, covenants and more have risen in an attempt to define, promote and ultimately to achieve sustainable development. Just as this debate has been raging on the world stage for decades, so it is happening in Grenada now. Civil society groups are raising a critical eye of observance on a recent amendment to the parks act, and plans to develop an area that has been reserved to protect the country’s national and critically endangered National bird, the Grenada Dove.
The Government does not believe they are abandoning their environmental responsibilities by allowing development to take place on Mount Hartman Estate; the land area that had been reserved as parkland, and is now at the centre of this controversy. The Government is attempting to balance economic needs with long term land management options. The environmental screen of the proposed development plan suggests that the steps being taken to protect the Dove may actually enhance its preservation rather than threaten it. For the Government, this is better than relying on project based funds, which bear a heavy accompanying administrative burden and no long term guarantees for financial support.
Civil society on the other hand, is attempting to point out that economic benefits and conservation can be achieved using different models of development. Ecotourism has been presented as one of those alternatives. In this model, tourism development and long term ‘value for land’ can be achieved by preserving natural assets and fostering the development of markets that generate profits through conservation, rather than through the more traditional brick and mortar approaches to development. Ecotourism has also proven to be a successful model for poverty alleviation, disaster risk mitigation (through environmental protection) as well as enjoying growth rates that have been reported as high as 30% in places like Costa Rica.
Is one side right and the other wrong? Regardless of where these stakeholders stand, any position that is focused on being in opposition of, or counter to another, is wrong: If the desired result is a sustainable solution. The only factor that we do know that must always be present is that people, from all walks of life, have to buy into an idea, concept or plan for it to be sustainable.
And thus, if a sustainable solution is to be realized from this currently polarized debate, both sides will have to take the time to listen to the other, and agree to work together so that if a win-win solution exists – it can be found.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Cricket World Cup Editorial: Winning Ingredients
When a team lets its fans down, it is natural for the fans to want to identify the source of their disappointment. This usually comes in the form of pointing out a coach, a player, funding or some other factor that may have led to the poor performance of the team. However sometimes losing is a part of the process of learning how to win.
Winning in sport or any profession is the result of success at many stages of a process; and hence, winning should be seen as a process, rather than a result. Winners usually emerge after the successful application of a number of factors that release potential in individual, as well as team players.
Losing on the other hand, is usually the result faltering in one or more of the stages of winning.
Talent is a significant first step that provides competitive edge in sport or any discipline. However, it is not a determining factor in itself and can sometimes prove to be a secondary consideration when measured up against willpower and the other elements of success.
Willpower is a critically important ingredient, as talent alone will not provide the competitive edge that is needed to be a successful player. Willpower is the foundation of competitive drive, and when it is strong, willpower can even overpower some fundamental physical limitations; such as sports player who finishes a game without feeling the pain of an injury until the game is over.
For a team, the competitive edge in high performance almost always rests on the cohesiveness of the group. In a high performance team environment, the players perceive themselves as part of a collective whole. In this vein, personal responsibility and accountability is a very important characteristic.
To best understand the value of cohesiveness, picture some of the winners in Cricket World Cup, and remember the times when the teams played ‘on top of their game’ as if they were telepathically connected. At times like this it seems like each player knew what the other was going to do next, before it was done. This is cohesion, and this is the ‘win-zone’ in team sports.
Another ingredient of winning is self belief, which is equally important on an individual and team basis. Without self belief, wins are rare. This is because the thoughts and images in the mind often determine the outcomes of an effort.
For example, if a person stands at the edge of the stream and imagines that the stream is too wide and their legs too weak, they are very likely to end up with wet feet.
However, if that same person stands on the edge of a stream believing that the stream presents an enjoyable challenge, and that their legs are strong enough to leap to the other side; they are more likely to have dry shoes at the end of their effort.
In the event that wet feet are the result anyway, positive self belief will be the driving factor in sport that keeps people working towards their goals until they get it right.
Ms. Ellard-Deveney has worked as an equestrian coach in Canada for ten years.
Winning in sport or any profession is the result of success at many stages of a process; and hence, winning should be seen as a process, rather than a result. Winners usually emerge after the successful application of a number of factors that release potential in individual, as well as team players.
Losing on the other hand, is usually the result faltering in one or more of the stages of winning.
Talent is a significant first step that provides competitive edge in sport or any discipline. However, it is not a determining factor in itself and can sometimes prove to be a secondary consideration when measured up against willpower and the other elements of success.
Willpower is a critically important ingredient, as talent alone will not provide the competitive edge that is needed to be a successful player. Willpower is the foundation of competitive drive, and when it is strong, willpower can even overpower some fundamental physical limitations; such as sports player who finishes a game without feeling the pain of an injury until the game is over.
For a team, the competitive edge in high performance almost always rests on the cohesiveness of the group. In a high performance team environment, the players perceive themselves as part of a collective whole. In this vein, personal responsibility and accountability is a very important characteristic.
To best understand the value of cohesiveness, picture some of the winners in Cricket World Cup, and remember the times when the teams played ‘on top of their game’ as if they were telepathically connected. At times like this it seems like each player knew what the other was going to do next, before it was done. This is cohesion, and this is the ‘win-zone’ in team sports.
Another ingredient of winning is self belief, which is equally important on an individual and team basis. Without self belief, wins are rare. This is because the thoughts and images in the mind often determine the outcomes of an effort.
For example, if a person stands at the edge of the stream and imagines that the stream is too wide and their legs too weak, they are very likely to end up with wet feet.
However, if that same person stands on the edge of a stream believing that the stream presents an enjoyable challenge, and that their legs are strong enough to leap to the other side; they are more likely to have dry shoes at the end of their effort.
In the event that wet feet are the result anyway, positive self belief will be the driving factor in sport that keeps people working towards their goals until they get it right.
Ms. Ellard-Deveney has worked as an equestrian coach in Canada for ten years.
Monday, April 2, 2007
World Cup Eco-Tips
Cricket World Cup 2007 is expected to bring thousands of visitors to the island, and there are environmental impacts that will result from this short term boom in Grenada’s population.
First, there is the amount of solid waste that will be generated: The local organizing committee (LOC) has estimated that 13,000 tonnes of garbage will be produced per (game) day in the Stadium alone. The LOC and Grenada’s Solid Waste Management Authority are prepared to remove waste at night so Grenada and the Stadium look clean and fresh every morning, but there is much more to consider than that. Once removed, where does all the garbage go?
The waste will go to the landfill, but any landfill, anywhere, can only take a finite amount of waste; and for a small island state like Grenada, any effort to reduce the ammount of waste generated is a better course than producing too much of it. You can do a lot to help:
1. If you are heading out on a day trip, you can pack reusable containers in your bag and ask persons serving you food to put it in the containers instead of in a disposable one.
2. You can carry a reusable cup or mug, which will also help prevent unnecessary litter from ending up in the landfill. You can carry shopping bags with you if you intend to do some shopping.
3. If you do make garbage, don’t throw it away in the street or into the ocean. Extra waste bins, and extra waste service pick ups will be provided, so use the bins available.
Try to do what you can at home, in your hotel or in your workplace to minimize waste that is not directly related to Cricket World Cup. You can recycle office paper by stapling them together and using them as your note pads. You can turn off lights when you leave the room. If you are using air conditioning, raise the temperature so you are not using as much energy to run the machine, or if possible, turn it off altogether and open a window instead.
Traffic congestion will impact the local air quality in some areas and you can do your part to help out by leaving using the bus, or carpooling with neighbours. Try not to use your car if you will be the only person in it.
Grenada is paradise, so let’s keep it clean while we enjoy Cricket World Cup.
First, there is the amount of solid waste that will be generated: The local organizing committee (LOC) has estimated that 13,000 tonnes of garbage will be produced per (game) day in the Stadium alone. The LOC and Grenada’s Solid Waste Management Authority are prepared to remove waste at night so Grenada and the Stadium look clean and fresh every morning, but there is much more to consider than that. Once removed, where does all the garbage go?
The waste will go to the landfill, but any landfill, anywhere, can only take a finite amount of waste; and for a small island state like Grenada, any effort to reduce the ammount of waste generated is a better course than producing too much of it. You can do a lot to help:
1. If you are heading out on a day trip, you can pack reusable containers in your bag and ask persons serving you food to put it in the containers instead of in a disposable one.
2. You can carry a reusable cup or mug, which will also help prevent unnecessary litter from ending up in the landfill. You can carry shopping bags with you if you intend to do some shopping.
3. If you do make garbage, don’t throw it away in the street or into the ocean. Extra waste bins, and extra waste service pick ups will be provided, so use the bins available.
Try to do what you can at home, in your hotel or in your workplace to minimize waste that is not directly related to Cricket World Cup. You can recycle office paper by stapling them together and using them as your note pads. You can turn off lights when you leave the room. If you are using air conditioning, raise the temperature so you are not using as much energy to run the machine, or if possible, turn it off altogether and open a window instead.
Traffic congestion will impact the local air quality in some areas and you can do your part to help out by leaving using the bus, or carpooling with neighbours. Try not to use your car if you will be the only person in it.
Grenada is paradise, so let’s keep it clean while we enjoy Cricket World Cup.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
LUCKY DUBE: MUSIC THAT MATTERS
People from every walk of life in Grenada were represented in the crowd that came to see world famous South African performer Lucky Dube live at Moonlight City on Sunday. Lucky Dube’s performance in Grenada was part of a world tour to launch his new album, “Respect” which features music every bit as magical as his previous albums. The inspiring music captured the audience as they swayed, sang and danced along with Dube and his incredibly talented performance troupe.
There is something special about a performer like Dube that goes far beyond a good album or a well attended concert. It is the same kind of special that has been found in other musical legends who have been able to create music that spans generations and cultures across the globe. Performers like John Lennon, Bob Marley and Dube have something in common: Their music tends to be about things that matter. When music matters it can shape the world, such as John Lennon’s “Give Peace a Chance” and Marley’s “Buffalo Soldier”, raising the consciousness of people all over the world.
Music that is inspired inspires others; and thus is capable of touching the souls of people across the globe. For Dube, the source of that inspiration likely stems from the life experience of someone who has lifted himself out of poverty and made his dreams come true, as shared in one of the tracks of his new album titled, Touch Your Dream. For Dube, anything is possible if you hold onto your dreams, and his own life story entitles him to preach to others through is music.
He is man whose faith guides him. ‘I only worship the All Mighty, through his prophets I have learned to give respect to everything he created” and although a world famous Rastafarian, he is a man who does not drink, smoke, or consume marijuana. In fact, the societal problems the world faces today are an obvious source of musical passion and a vehicle for Dube to express things he cares about. Dube wants, “To be living in a world where there are no homeless people, to be living in a world where little children don’t have to die because their parents are poor”. While many of his social commentaries are about poverty, domestic abuse, HIV/AIDS, or love; his eyes are also on the landscape of world power. ‘We’re living in a world with a lot of crazy people, we’re living in a world with psychopaths - every one of them wants to rule the world”.
There is an abundance of music on the world market that glamorizes gangsters, drugs, violence, crime and depressive thought, but when an artist like Lucky Dube rises like a phoenix on stage, we are reminded that the universal truths that really bring people from multiple continents, cultures and age groups together; is the good in all of us, not the bad.
There is something special about a performer like Dube that goes far beyond a good album or a well attended concert. It is the same kind of special that has been found in other musical legends who have been able to create music that spans generations and cultures across the globe. Performers like John Lennon, Bob Marley and Dube have something in common: Their music tends to be about things that matter. When music matters it can shape the world, such as John Lennon’s “Give Peace a Chance” and Marley’s “Buffalo Soldier”, raising the consciousness of people all over the world.
Music that is inspired inspires others; and thus is capable of touching the souls of people across the globe. For Dube, the source of that inspiration likely stems from the life experience of someone who has lifted himself out of poverty and made his dreams come true, as shared in one of the tracks of his new album titled, Touch Your Dream. For Dube, anything is possible if you hold onto your dreams, and his own life story entitles him to preach to others through is music.
He is man whose faith guides him. ‘I only worship the All Mighty, through his prophets I have learned to give respect to everything he created” and although a world famous Rastafarian, he is a man who does not drink, smoke, or consume marijuana. In fact, the societal problems the world faces today are an obvious source of musical passion and a vehicle for Dube to express things he cares about. Dube wants, “To be living in a world where there are no homeless people, to be living in a world where little children don’t have to die because their parents are poor”. While many of his social commentaries are about poverty, domestic abuse, HIV/AIDS, or love; his eyes are also on the landscape of world power. ‘We’re living in a world with a lot of crazy people, we’re living in a world with psychopaths - every one of them wants to rule the world”.
There is an abundance of music on the world market that glamorizes gangsters, drugs, violence, crime and depressive thought, but when an artist like Lucky Dube rises like a phoenix on stage, we are reminded that the universal truths that really bring people from multiple continents, cultures and age groups together; is the good in all of us, not the bad.
COUNT YOUR CHICKENS BEFORE THEY HATCH
(Part 2 of 2) Last week’s article examined some of the issues and vulnerabilities associated with the H5N1 Avian Flu virus and the possible threat of a pandemic this virus presents to the world. In Grenada, the free roaming practices of chicken farming presents a number of risks if the avian flu reaches the shores of the tri-island state.
Part two is examining an economic alternative that can provide Grenada with a substantive buffer in the event that such a disaster occurs. The alternative is found in developing a practice already common in Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique. In rural areas, such as Carriacou, it is not uncommon to see a local farmer walking down the street carrying a large green iguana by its tail; a lizard destined for the dinner table.
For some of us, the thought of eating an iguana may not seem very appetizing, but for many this barrier does not exist, and for those who require adjusting to the concept, iguana meat is reportedly just as tasty as chicken, and can be used as an effective substitute for most chicken dishes.
Although commonly hunted in the wild, farming this endangered species is a relatively new practice that has been pioneered in Central America. Farming practices that have been developed there have shown that farming iguanas can produce ten times the amount of meat per hectare than cattle (making it significantly more viable for small scale farming). They have also proven to be far less labour intensive to raise, and have many other beneficial side effects, such as forest protection which can help Grenada handle other disasters which require forest cover as a first line of defence; such as flooding and landslides.
Iguana farming is quite simple in practice. It involves raising hatchlings for approximately 7 months, and then releasing them to forested areas. The fattening and maturing of the animals can be sped up using feeds such as broken rice, meat, bone, fish meal, papayas, mangoes, bananas, avocados, leaves and flowers. In addition to meats, the eggs are edible and the juvenile iguanas can often be sold as pets.
To date, iguana farming has been pioneered in Costa Rica, Panama, and Nicaragua. Should the practice of iguana farming get established here in Grenada, doing so would result in repopulating an indigenous species that has been hunted near to extinction; provide income and meat for farmers and local markets in the event of the arrival of the avian flu; and protect Grenada’s forest cover by promoting forest based farming of iguanas and fruit bearing trees.
Count your chickens before they hatch: Iguanas are low fat, low cost, environmentally friendly and bird flu free.
Part two is examining an economic alternative that can provide Grenada with a substantive buffer in the event that such a disaster occurs. The alternative is found in developing a practice already common in Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique. In rural areas, such as Carriacou, it is not uncommon to see a local farmer walking down the street carrying a large green iguana by its tail; a lizard destined for the dinner table.
For some of us, the thought of eating an iguana may not seem very appetizing, but for many this barrier does not exist, and for those who require adjusting to the concept, iguana meat is reportedly just as tasty as chicken, and can be used as an effective substitute for most chicken dishes.
Although commonly hunted in the wild, farming this endangered species is a relatively new practice that has been pioneered in Central America. Farming practices that have been developed there have shown that farming iguanas can produce ten times the amount of meat per hectare than cattle (making it significantly more viable for small scale farming). They have also proven to be far less labour intensive to raise, and have many other beneficial side effects, such as forest protection which can help Grenada handle other disasters which require forest cover as a first line of defence; such as flooding and landslides.
Iguana farming is quite simple in practice. It involves raising hatchlings for approximately 7 months, and then releasing them to forested areas. The fattening and maturing of the animals can be sped up using feeds such as broken rice, meat, bone, fish meal, papayas, mangoes, bananas, avocados, leaves and flowers. In addition to meats, the eggs are edible and the juvenile iguanas can often be sold as pets.
To date, iguana farming has been pioneered in Costa Rica, Panama, and Nicaragua. Should the practice of iguana farming get established here in Grenada, doing so would result in repopulating an indigenous species that has been hunted near to extinction; provide income and meat for farmers and local markets in the event of the arrival of the avian flu; and protect Grenada’s forest cover by promoting forest based farming of iguanas and fruit bearing trees.
Count your chickens before they hatch: Iguanas are low fat, low cost, environmentally friendly and bird flu free.
COUNT YOUR CHICKENS BEFORE THEY HATCH
(Part 1 of 2) Communities with free roaming chickens have been the ones hardest hit worldwide for the H5N1 virus, commonly known as ‘the bird flu’. This is because transmission of the disease requires contact with infected birds, or contaminated surfaces. When chickens roam free (particularly in urban areas), playing children come into contact with contaminated surfaces, slaughter debris is carried in the gutters, and people simply walk on contaminated surfaces while heading to school, work or the local store.
In 2003, the bird flu spread over a great deal of Asia. In 2004, it reached Malaysia. By 2005 the flu was in Russia, Mongolia, Turkey, Romania and now the bird flu has spread to so many places it is truly a ‘global disease’. It is also a disease that kills more than half of the people who catch it. Healthy people, young people - the bird flu does not discriminate.
But it is not a pandemic yet. According to the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) a disease is not a pandemic until it presents three characteristics. To be a pandemic, it must: Infect humans, be a serious illness and spread easily and sustainably. The bird flu scores 2 out of 3, and medical authorities say it is only a matter of time before the bird flu masters human to human transmission and becomes a major scourge for this planet.
We can only hope that a pandemic is far into the future, and take steps in the meantime to protect the country from the disease that is already out there, and heading our way. Birds need to be kept in enclosures, called ‘coops’ or ‘aviaries’ that prevent them from mingling casually with humans and other chicken stock.
Free roaming chickens not only present a major health risk to Grenadians the potential economic impacts could be catastrophic. A bird flu outbreak in Grenada would not only have a dramatic impact on Grenadians through loss of life by those who die, but gathering up the free roaming birds for slaughter would be a dangerously time consuming task. In addition to this, if the bird flu was found in Grenada, this would cause serious quarantine issues for international travellers, because it would be virtually impossible for a person travelling from Grenada to declare they had not been on a farm recently. Grenada is a farm.
A key defence for the bird flu is containing the birds. Another defence is preparing the health community to deal with an outbreak, as its arrival is inevitable. Another defence will be the subject of next week’s article, where we will explore one creative way to help Grenada withstand the social, and economic impacts of the bird flu pandemic, when it arrives.
In 2003, the bird flu spread over a great deal of Asia. In 2004, it reached Malaysia. By 2005 the flu was in Russia, Mongolia, Turkey, Romania and now the bird flu has spread to so many places it is truly a ‘global disease’. It is also a disease that kills more than half of the people who catch it. Healthy people, young people - the bird flu does not discriminate.
But it is not a pandemic yet. According to the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) a disease is not a pandemic until it presents three characteristics. To be a pandemic, it must: Infect humans, be a serious illness and spread easily and sustainably. The bird flu scores 2 out of 3, and medical authorities say it is only a matter of time before the bird flu masters human to human transmission and becomes a major scourge for this planet.
We can only hope that a pandemic is far into the future, and take steps in the meantime to protect the country from the disease that is already out there, and heading our way. Birds need to be kept in enclosures, called ‘coops’ or ‘aviaries’ that prevent them from mingling casually with humans and other chicken stock.
Free roaming chickens not only present a major health risk to Grenadians the potential economic impacts could be catastrophic. A bird flu outbreak in Grenada would not only have a dramatic impact on Grenadians through loss of life by those who die, but gathering up the free roaming birds for slaughter would be a dangerously time consuming task. In addition to this, if the bird flu was found in Grenada, this would cause serious quarantine issues for international travellers, because it would be virtually impossible for a person travelling from Grenada to declare they had not been on a farm recently. Grenada is a farm.
A key defence for the bird flu is containing the birds. Another defence is preparing the health community to deal with an outbreak, as its arrival is inevitable. Another defence will be the subject of next week’s article, where we will explore one creative way to help Grenada withstand the social, and economic impacts of the bird flu pandemic, when it arrives.
Sunday, March 4, 2007
FOR THE SAKE OF THE POOR, "BUY GRENADA"
The government of Grenada is about to embark on a Country Poverty Assessment that will determine the characteristics, extent, geographic concentration, severity and causes of poverty in Grenada. The information generated by this assessment can help direct policy and decision making and possibly attract financial resources to help alleviate poverty.
However, these assessments are not without controversy. All these papers and consultations cost a lot of money, are often heavily influenced by foreign interests, and are not likely to have a great impact on poverty alleviation.
But a poverty assessment is not an optional exercise for any developing country government. It is a condition for receiving aid, obtaining country loans or being eligible for debt relief through the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
The idea behind the Poverty Assessment is to conduct research that can provide information to draft a Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP), which is also a requirement for aid, loans and debt relief. In turn, the ‘PRSP’ is supposed to be a tool for understanding poverty, engaging citizens, and directing policy with the aim of alleviating poverty.
Supporters of the PRSP’s claim that these conditionalities put poverty first on development agendas, while also encouraging participatory decision making from all sectors of society (civil society, the private sector, faith based organizations and the government). Critics claim that the PRSP is merely an extension of the Structural Adjustment Programmes, of the 1980’s and 1990’s which were also forced upon developing countries by the IMF and World Bank. Critics claim that Structural Adjustment Programmes and now PRSP’s compromise the sovereign right of developing countries to determine their own development priorities and spending.
Supporters on the other hand, argue that the foreign influence on policies, research and spending help to protect the poor from governments who may not use aid, loans or debt relief wisely. This concern may be valid for some countries, but the policies are applied with a broad brush that does not discriminate between the responsible governments and those which are less accountable to their citizens.
Structural Adjustment Programmes forced governments to embrace ‘free market’ policies and to cut social spending (such as education), privatizing public utilities, devaluing currencies and opening markets to imports. These actions have been sharply criticised for worsening the conditions of the poor, as well as hurting domestic markets. The PRSP’s are now supposed to identify ways to alleviate poverty without changing the core structure of the world market system.
Grenadians and visitors to the island who are blessed with employment and the power to make consumer choices can use their spending power to help the poor, and foster Grenada’s economic independence. When shopping for meat, milk, eggs or vegetables, purchasing locally made products before the imports will help support local employment, production and trade, which in turn, will help alleviate poverty. By buying products that are produced or made locally, consumers are protecting their domestic market. In this way, whether the Poverty Assessment and the PRSP makes a difference or not, Grenadians can engage in poverty alleviation and support Grenada on their own terms.
However, these assessments are not without controversy. All these papers and consultations cost a lot of money, are often heavily influenced by foreign interests, and are not likely to have a great impact on poverty alleviation.
But a poverty assessment is not an optional exercise for any developing country government. It is a condition for receiving aid, obtaining country loans or being eligible for debt relief through the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
The idea behind the Poverty Assessment is to conduct research that can provide information to draft a Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP), which is also a requirement for aid, loans and debt relief. In turn, the ‘PRSP’ is supposed to be a tool for understanding poverty, engaging citizens, and directing policy with the aim of alleviating poverty.
Supporters of the PRSP’s claim that these conditionalities put poverty first on development agendas, while also encouraging participatory decision making from all sectors of society (civil society, the private sector, faith based organizations and the government). Critics claim that the PRSP is merely an extension of the Structural Adjustment Programmes, of the 1980’s and 1990’s which were also forced upon developing countries by the IMF and World Bank. Critics claim that Structural Adjustment Programmes and now PRSP’s compromise the sovereign right of developing countries to determine their own development priorities and spending.
Supporters on the other hand, argue that the foreign influence on policies, research and spending help to protect the poor from governments who may not use aid, loans or debt relief wisely. This concern may be valid for some countries, but the policies are applied with a broad brush that does not discriminate between the responsible governments and those which are less accountable to their citizens.
Structural Adjustment Programmes forced governments to embrace ‘free market’ policies and to cut social spending (such as education), privatizing public utilities, devaluing currencies and opening markets to imports. These actions have been sharply criticised for worsening the conditions of the poor, as well as hurting domestic markets. The PRSP’s are now supposed to identify ways to alleviate poverty without changing the core structure of the world market system.
Grenadians and visitors to the island who are blessed with employment and the power to make consumer choices can use their spending power to help the poor, and foster Grenada’s economic independence. When shopping for meat, milk, eggs or vegetables, purchasing locally made products before the imports will help support local employment, production and trade, which in turn, will help alleviate poverty. By buying products that are produced or made locally, consumers are protecting their domestic market. In this way, whether the Poverty Assessment and the PRSP makes a difference or not, Grenadians can engage in poverty alleviation and support Grenada on their own terms.
Friday, February 23, 2007
GOVERNMENT PLANS FOR AN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY
Amid growing concern for the environment around the globe, the Government of Grenada has developed an ambitious environmental management plan for 2007.
With the environment and sustainable development becoming an increasingly complex and demanding portfolio, the Government of Grenada is responding by planning to advance a draft of environmental management and sustainable development legislation by year's end.
If passed, one of the key elements of the legislation will be the creation of an Environmental Management Authority.
Successfully passing this legislation will mark a critical turning point for Grenada on issues such as poverty, food security, environmental integrity, toxic waste, and climate change.
Though critics might suggest that this will increase the budgetary and administrative burden of a cash-strapped government, the benefits of pursuing this agenda should outweigh the costs.
In a recent National Capacity Assessment on environmental management in Grenada, one of the cross cutting capacity barriers identified was the lack of cohesion in policy, administration, and the chain of accountability when it comes to environmental management.
Under the present circumstances, this is partly because environmental management is being undertaken among a number of Ministries and government departments.
In addition to this timely goal, Minister David-Antoine outlined an ambitious agenda for her Ministry to the members of the Sustainable Development Council on February 16 th.
They include beautification; such as tree planting; as well as the removal of an estimated 600 derelict vehicles in Grenada.
Minister David-Antoine also presented plans to create an environmental information management framework which will house the plethora of documents, reports, data and information related to environmental management in one location. This 'environmental library' will include hard copy and digital information.
Public engagement is also on the agenda. The National Environment Policy and Management Strategy were developed through extensive community consultation, and this year's plans will continue along that vein, explained the Minister.
The Ministry plans to provide training to community groups to aide them in accessing funding available from the United Nations Development Programme and other international organizations.
Public education is also on the agenda, with a goal to raise the level of public awareness about the urgency of environmental issues as well as empowering individuals to take action in their own lives and communities.
A communications and awareness raising toolkit has already been created, and in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, primary and secondary schools will be the first beneficiaries of the awareness raising activities planned for 2007.
With the environment and sustainable development becoming an increasingly complex and demanding portfolio, the Government of Grenada is responding by planning to advance a draft of environmental management and sustainable development legislation by year's end.
If passed, one of the key elements of the legislation will be the creation of an Environmental Management Authority.
Successfully passing this legislation will mark a critical turning point for Grenada on issues such as poverty, food security, environmental integrity, toxic waste, and climate change.
Though critics might suggest that this will increase the budgetary and administrative burden of a cash-strapped government, the benefits of pursuing this agenda should outweigh the costs.
In a recent National Capacity Assessment on environmental management in Grenada, one of the cross cutting capacity barriers identified was the lack of cohesion in policy, administration, and the chain of accountability when it comes to environmental management.
Under the present circumstances, this is partly because environmental management is being undertaken among a number of Ministries and government departments.
In addition to this timely goal, Minister David-Antoine outlined an ambitious agenda for her Ministry to the members of the Sustainable Development Council on February 16 th.
They include beautification; such as tree planting; as well as the removal of an estimated 600 derelict vehicles in Grenada.
Minister David-Antoine also presented plans to create an environmental information management framework which will house the plethora of documents, reports, data and information related to environmental management in one location. This 'environmental library' will include hard copy and digital information.
Public engagement is also on the agenda. The National Environment Policy and Management Strategy were developed through extensive community consultation, and this year's plans will continue along that vein, explained the Minister.
The Ministry plans to provide training to community groups to aide them in accessing funding available from the United Nations Development Programme and other international organizations.
Public education is also on the agenda, with a goal to raise the level of public awareness about the urgency of environmental issues as well as empowering individuals to take action in their own lives and communities.
A communications and awareness raising toolkit has already been created, and in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, primary and secondary schools will be the first beneficiaries of the awareness raising activities planned for 2007.
ENVIRONMENTALISTS WERE RIGHT ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE
Happily, the climate change debate is finally over: Global warming is happening, it will continue to happen, and human activity is the cause of it. Sadly, the environmentalists who have been warning the world about this for the last 40 years were right.
On February 2nd, 2007, the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change or ‘IPCC’ for short (and yes, one could question whether these panels get long boring names so they are hard to quote and harder to remember) published a summary of their 4th Climate Change Assessment since it began in 1988. With the advance of satellite technology and the use of ice core samples, this is the first report capable of proving once and for all that climate change is not a natural process.
In the past, sceptics argued that climate change could be part of a natural cycle. They also argued that because earth’s processes took place over centuries rather than decades, measurements over the last hundred years or so could hardly make a case for global warming. Fortunately recent years have provided the scientific community with new tools of measurement with satellite data and ice core samples, making their conclusions much more difficult to refute and ignore.
The ice core samples can be read much like tree rings to provide very reliable data for atmospheric conditions that date back as far as 650,000 years. Satellite data has provided far more detailed and reliable observational data on just about how everything interacts on earth such as temperature, wind, dust, ocean currents, precipitation rates and more. In fact, the combined science of balloon technology and satellite data has provided evidence that global warming is not just happening on the surface of the earth, it is happening in the upper layers of our atmosphere at the same rate.
This new IPCC report may be the beginning of a new era of acknowledging climate change as a priority. The history of the world ignoring the early warnings has been long and discouraging indeed. In 1987 the Bruntland Report, was published under the title, “Our Common Future”, which not only warned the world of the things that we are seeing today, but also provided a very comprehensive coping strategy to go with it, which was called “Agenda 21”. These reports were largely ignored by industry and international leaders. In 1992 the Rio Summit generated the Kyoto Accord, which still had not been ratified by the world’s largest greenhouse gas contributor, the
Perhaps with the abundance of conclusive evidence emerging, leaders and policy makers will take the aggressive action that will be required for survival before it is too late, and create something like a “Survival Commission”. Lest we forget why all this matters, it is not just about temperatures, sea level rise, droughts, floods or storms. It is the integrity and fine balance of gasses in the atmosphere that makes this planet capable of supporting life.
Jennifer Ellard-Deveney has worked as an environmentalist for over 20 years. She has a Specialized Honours Degree in Environmental Studies and Political Science from
FIVE MINUTES TO MIDNIGHT: SECOND NUCLEAR AGE
(Part 2 of 2) The combined threats of climate change and nuclear proliferation forms the heart of concern for the keepers of the Doomsday Clock. Recognizing that climate change will threaten life support systems for humanity and the planet, which in turn will generate conflicts; the keepers of the clock turn their eyes to the likelihood of nuclear weapons being used in these conflicts to come.
During the Cold War, many scientific, military and political experts believed that the risk of nuclear annihilation was mitigated by the fact that the United States and the Soviet Union were deterred from using their cache of nuclear weapons in conflict because both sides had developed enough weapons to ensure “Mutual Assured Destruction’, or
In 1945 a relatively small nuclear bomb was used on
The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, signed in 1970, has arguably failed. India, Pakistan and North Korea have tested nuclear weapons since the end of the Cold War, Israel has nuclear weapons and chooses not to declare them, and it is believed that as many as 30 countries may now possess the capacity, and increasingly the motivation, to develop nuclear weapons. Approximately 24 new nuclear reactors are scheduled to be built around the world over the next five years, 30 are scheduled to be built in
Jennifer Ellard-Deveney has worked as an environmentalist for over 20 years. She has a Specialized Honours Degree in Environmental Studies and Political Science from
FIVE MINUTES TO MIDNIGHT: CLIMATE CHANGE
The Board of Directors issued a statement explaining why the Doomsday clock was moved forward by two minutes. The Board did not mince words. They repeated their strong message throughout the statement. “We have concluded that the dangers posed by climate change are nearly as dire as those posed by nuclear weapons”, the statement read. “Global warming poses a dire threat to human civilization that is second only to nuclear weapons”, the latter being known to be capable of completely obliterating the planet and everything on it.
Climate change threatens our life support systems, “Coral reefs will disappear”. Ten years ago, any authority speaking on climate change would have used words such as, ‘might’ and ‘could’, before making predictions as large as the total loss of coral reefs, which are the foundation of the entire oceanic food chain and ecosystem balance. Losing the reefs is similar to the first domino falling in a chain reaction of events. At the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002, scientists were already observing and warning the world about the likelihood of coral reefs dying out within 1-2 decades. Few paid attention. This kind of scepticism does not exist now: The evidence is mounting and the evidence is overwhelmingly clear.
Other examples cited to illustrate the grave threats climate change poses to humanity included the
The Board also observed that changes in climate are happening faster than had been predicted. Pressures resulting from climate change (such as mass migrations and wars over resources like water and arable land) which will ultimately affect world stability increase the complexity and concern about the spread of nuclear weapons throughout the world.
It is the combined threats of climate change and nuclear proliferation that forms the heart of concern. Recognizing that climate change will threaten life support systems for humanity and the planet, which in turn will generate conflicts; the keepers of the clock turn their eyes to the likelihood of nuclear weapons being used in these conflicts to come.
Jennifer Ellard-Deveney has worked as an environmentalist for over 20 years. She has a Specialized Honours Degree in Environmental Studies and Political Science from
El Nino To Bring Hottest Year Ever
Usually,
The accompanying image produced by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency (NOAA) shows the El Nino as of
When El Nino events occur, the weather around the world becomes unusual. Meteorologists claim that the ‘warming’ effect that follows an El Nino event typically takes four months to be observed. El Nino events have even been observed to reverse the direction of trade winds, which have soaked
Unusual weather events in
The most vulnerable communities in an ‘El Nino’ year are the islands of Carriacou and Petit Martinique. These islands lack natural water sources, and are dependant on rainwater collection to supply water to people, livestock and crops. There is a desalinization facility in Carriacou, but this facility would not be sufficient to provide all the water needs for the island in the event of a prolonged drought.
Jennifer Ellard-Deveney has worked as an environmentalist for over 20 years. She has a Specialized Honours Degree in Environmental Studies and Political Science from
Could Climate Change Be Good For Grenada?
IMAGINE a north pole without ice in the summer of 2040. This is the warning American scientists gave the world as they gathered for the Annual General Meeting for the Geophysics Union in San Diego California last week. Reuters reports that scientists have revealed evidence demonstrating a melting process that is speeding up, and that the melting of the arctic could happen quite suddenly over the next few decades, bringing catastrophic effects to the entire planet.
It is already happening. An article published by National Geographic in September this year reports that in the time between 2004 and 2005, the arctic lost a total of 14% of its perennial ice. And in the time between October 2005 and April 2006, the east arctic permafrost was reduced a further 70%. The melting is speeding up, and we are running out of time to adapt.
From a human perspective, conflicts are likely to emerge as countries compete and cope with the impacts of climate change, such as water shortages, financial losses, environmental refugees, disease, adapting to changed weather conditions and more. While most of the world will be facing catastrophe,
This is because many elements that make
With incentive based planning, Grenada can encourage the population to relocate business and residences on higher ground over time with far less National disruption and expense than would be caused by moving cities like New Orleans, Miami or Venice with millions of people in them.
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