Pressing ignore
When the environment minister failed to show up at the book launch of the much anticipated second edition of Dr George Proctor’s Flora of the Cayman Islands on Tuesday evening it came as little surprise to those who did attend. Since taking up that portfolio in his ministry, Mark Scotland has made it perfectly clear he has no interest in environmental issues.
He has admitted publicly that the environment would not have been his “first choice” of the responsibilities that make up his health ministry and he has proceeded to demonstrate that fact by essentially ignoring most things that are related to nature, not least the National Conservation Law. Given that his 'past’ business interests are about concrete and tarmac, it is hardly surprising.
Having said that, ignoring this part of his portfolio would not be so bad if it weren’t for the fact thathe is an integral part of a government that seems intent on destroying it.
With a mounting list of environmental issues over the last three years, Scotland has done nothing at all to protect the natural resources of the Cayman Islands, even though it is his responsibility to do so. While we cannot yet expect any politician in Cayman to be ready to take the really radical steps that are now required to try and save Cayman from the bulldozer, the fact that he is contributing to its demise while in office should be of real concern to the people.
His failure to turn up to something as uncontroversial as the book launch when the work is so important to our understanding of the environment we are destroying speaks volumes and should serve, if nothing else, as a lesson to us all about how harmful a cross in a box once every four years can be when it’s put in the wrong place.
The problem for the environment locally is that not one politician in Cayman has proved to have the necessary fortitude and understanding of the need to protect the environment properly. The blind pursuit of the development dollar has relegated the air that we breathe, the water we drink, swim, dive and snorkel in, as well as the ground we grow things in, walk and live on to something that, with a little assistance from concrete and tarmac, can generate money, and despite their oft cited Christian principles, money is something our politicians really do love.
They would all do well to remember the over used and somewhat misused quote attributed to native American Indians and popularized by Greenpeace, which points out that once we’ve destroyed nature it is only then that we realize we can’t eat cash.
Lots of us know this already but the struggle is to persuade the others that don’t.
When we go to the polls next May the issue of the environment will be relegated by most politicians to the bottom of their agenda. Public finances, taxes, business, how to make more money, and fighting crime and corruption will all take centre stage over the islands' natural resources. There will be some lip service and waffley speeches about “sustainable development”, which is used consistently by many without them having the slightest clue about what it means. But until the environment becomes a genuine political element in the local landscape, the politicians will continue to ignore it.
While we can at least hope for a new environment minister next year who hopefully will not be so enthusiastic about contributing to its demise, we are unlikely to see a real eco-enthusiast in the post until the people demand it. We, the voting public, cannot blame the politicians for ignoring a subject that is also ignored by the people.
One only has to look at the number of comments on environmental articles on CNS compared to those about crime or political skulduggery and one willsee where the balance of concern lies.
While CNS continues to give a platform to environmental concerns and certainly attracts a solid readership of those who do care, it is apparent that even here there are too many people that don’t. The environmental will only be given the attention it deserves when the voters make it clear that they will only vote for those who demonstrate a genuine commitment to it.
Today is the day to start demanding it because, as we all know, tomorrow will simply be too late.
Category: Viewpoint
Get a chapter of WWF or The Nature Conservacy in Cayman and then have them push for better legislation in protecting our natural resources. In light of the Shetty Hospital and "the Eagle Project" in East End there's a grave concern for our native flora & fauna being destroyed by over development. Please don't expect much from a puppet when he's surrounded by clowns is what I see with Minister Scotland, he promised that the National Conservation Bill would be passed in 2010 but that it just needed some "tweeking". In other words enough tweeking to get laws changed to benefit developers and get major kickbacks put in place.
An Independent Green Party is what Cayman needs and I mean urgently, why don't Otto Watler, Bo Miller, Billy Adam and a few others start a Green Party. There will be more green areas, parks, animal sanctuaries, bike/walk paths, solar energy, hybrid buses and vehicles. Please fellow Caymanians start considering a Green Party if you want a beautiful natural environment for you and your grand children.
Trees don't pay bribes.
I think the preferred term is “consultancy fees”. One must also remember when taking “consultancy fees” to be prepared togenerously promote any intermediary gimp that handles communications such as emails and faxes involving “consultancy fees”.
Not only has he no personal knowledge of, norinterest in, conservation – he is terrified of even thinking about standing up to bush.
Dr. Proctor book is all well and good, but he does have a serious pass, and one can be found on the Jamica Gleaner website should you so choose to go and check it out. Being found guilty of attempted murder of your wife and several other women in my books is a serious situation. So, now he wants us to help fund his legal costs by showing up with his book at our National Gallery and having it promoted with our public funds purse, is not only an insult to this country, but shows bias and prejudice and one has to ask, would the same be extended to a Native Caymanian if they were in a mirrored place as Dr. Proctor?
As for Minister Scotland and the UPD dysfunctional ruling Govt., as soon as he and his acccountants can work out how much he will make for passing this into law, we will see it made so.
Here's another example of sustainable building practices by Phoenix Construction
http://www.reallife.ky/eMagazine/EMagazines/summer-2012
Strip the layer of veneer and the Cayman Islands are rotting away as a result of greedy developers and greedier politicians. If people only knew how high the Cayman Islands stink to the heavens, much fewer would visit. Although you have a clear opportunity to get rid of the pigs in 2013 my fear is that you'll only replace them with other swine.
Well I think the people who are concerned with the environment should," put their money where their mouth is". If Gov't won't buy it or support it , then this group could buy it.
There isn't a piece of land anywhere in the Cayman Islands that isn't environmentally sensitive. The beaches, the sawmp, the ironshores or the dry land. Look at Little Cayman with all of its protection. How many times have any of you visited in this year ,last year ,10-20 years ago? 20% should be for all countries as protected properties? This is three little islands that have nothing to maintain anything in this country. You know that little thing called roads, schools ,seaport ,food etc.? anything in the world that you want you have to pay for it.
Well if we going to use the money that was sent to us we need a new gov't . If we need a new gov't then lets first solve that problem . Because the only endangered species that I see getting ready to go extinct is the Caymanian people . Noone cares about them. Why dont we sign a petition about that? Surely there is grass to cut in your yard or painting to do of that house or shed .
Think about how you can solve that first .Otherwise ………..Thank you God for another day on this beautiful island .We pray that our people open their hearts and give thanks in sharing our island with us.
Really?? The Caymanian is going extinct? As a Caymanian looking at how many of my generation are breeding like rabbits, I doubt we have much to worry in that case…However, the hardworking, non-self entitled Caymanian is a rarity now a days sadly, pains me when I see other young adults who think they should own the world when they cant do an honest job run their mouth and complain.
Also to make a point, Cayman doesn't have indiginous people like other Caribbean countries (eg Arawaks, Caribs, Incas etc) and were all European settlers/African slaves who either migrated or were brought here. Which means we're the ones infringing on the natural habitat of the indiginous flora and fauna. Least wecan do is protect them to be honest.
Very well said. Thank you.
"Given that his 'past’ business interests are about concrete and tarmac, it is hardly surprising"
Well, I wouldnt say 'past' business interests, he is still operating a very significant role in the company.
I always find it sadly humerous that the Minister for Environment is chief cheerleader for a new dump. In his district. The Minister for Works? She knows not to touch it with someone else's re-election campaign. Makes you wonder why he's such a proponent, hmmm?
Hi, what most fail to realize is that ALL the funding for our government comes from Development and Consumption. That is our tax base and until we find a replacement for those we have two choices – first, less government services or more development. The other option is direct taxation including property taxes in the short term. No government can stop development due to this scenario unless we get rid of around 30-40% of government’s cost. That is why no government will put in place a conservation law that shuts down development — it would be putting a noose around their necks. It’s that simple really.
The long term solution is to find a third revenue source for these islands and that will take 15-20 years of hard work to develop. Personally I believe we need to do this because we can’t stay on this development treadmill for much longer for several reasons but for now we are stuck with it and really have to do our best with the existing situation.
As for the natural environment and saving every tree and every swamp, it will not happen nor should it. Do a comprehensive study of the islands, figure out what is simply irreplaceable and fix it as such in some serious legislation. The DOE and conservationist do nothing to assist their position by merely objecting to every development- folks eventually simple ignore them unfortunately.
Minister Scotland nor the next 10 ministers will not be able to do anything about the environment, with any long term effect, while we have this tax model in place. That’s the long and short of it.
"what most fail to realize is that ALL the funding for our government comes from Development and Consumption."
I think that is what we are saying, we need to develop more eco-tourism events and activities, however, it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to do so WITHOUT a near-pristine environment. And this Minister of (Destroying the) Environment is not helping us get there.
The narrow band of niche tourist you are talking about cannot begin to offset the revenue lost from the lack of serious physical development.
Do you think the majority of tourists come here for the bars, nightclubs, Boatswain Beach, and expensive hotels? Or they come for the diving and swimming in our beautiful marine environment, relaxing on our clean uncrowded beaches, learning of our history, and touring our islands (either on foot, bicycle, horseback or in a vehicle)?
Tourists come here for our natural environment, not to see concrete buildings and roads.
“Do you think that the majority”…. Talks much sense… And you that talk about a “narrow band” …. Needs to have a micro-chip update. Guess what? It is that very same “narrow band” that has keep Cayman afloat for many decades. Do you think that Camana Bay is appealing to the majority of the “narrow band” of tourists that visit Cayman? Well if you believe that then there is nothing that can help you. … Don’t you think that Camana Bay and its imitations are more likely to appeal to a “narrow band” of local residents and that is why it was built first as the real prize crumbles awaiting the saviour, whilst the saviour snaps up its properties at bargain prices. Smart organisation, dumb people… You deserve the government that you got and may I wish it 4 more years.
The majority of the tourists nowadays definitely come for the bars, restaurants and hotels. They want safe, secure, fly-over state orientated, "Caribbean-light" vacations. Since Grand Cayman only has one, thin, sloping, overdeveloped tourist beach, no history of international note and anyone cycling or walking around is more likely to be killed or maimed than enjoy themselves, it is a good thing they don't come to Cayman for the second category.
I forwarded the first page of CNS to my friend who was thinking of vacationing here. I did not need to say anything else to convince him To look elsewhere.
He didn't turn up for the breast cancer walk either. Alden was the only MLA there.
vote him out!
the only people to blame are the caymanian voters who voted in these muppetts…..
Caymanian voters did not vote these muppets into Cabinet. The UDP MLAs voted them (and themselves) in and ONLY they can remove them and McKeeva Bush by voting with the Opposition in one of the two votes of "no confidence". that have been brought to the LA.
Hon, you can't rely on them to make Cayman a greener place. That is something we will have to do on our own. Plant trees, stop using asphalt for everything, stop placing palms trees to replace native trees, do more box gardens for ourselves and others, think organic, educate your children to have a respect for life and the littles of life whether it is a toad, snake, or mushroom along the way. Walk more, use bicycles, and get out from using your car all the time if you live in close proximity to work or the supermarket. Do your own conservation despite the odds. Start a non-for-profit group that will buy out land and beachside to turn into parks. Think big and stop thinking government solution to our problems. I think it all boils down to people like you Teressa and the many others who have a conscience. You can't rely on these politicians, they will only upset you, and trust me, they have as much problems of their own.
All your comments sound good except starting yet another non-profit.
The National Trust IS that organization. They preserve PLACES!!! What the National Trust needs is money to purchase places of environmental and historical significance. Money to make them accessible and money to maintain them.
Stop talking Cayman. Get up and do something!
I bet you my life if the National Trust could capture a beach front or lands for preservation that government has an interest in, they would be so reluctant to capture it. Because isn't government one of their big donors? I don't think they want to mess with the big clients that puts money in their pockets. It is time for a better organization that can raise the money need for purchasing beaches so our young people will have somewhere to swim and interact with nature.
"Mark paved paradise and put up a parking lot"
It is a bit like putting Jimmy Saville in charge of education.
Or Mac in charge of Finance. Oh wait a minute . . .
Teressa,
With all due respect, who currently serving as MLA cares about the environment?
I do not believe there is any sitting MLA that cares about the environment or passing any serious legislation to protect the environment. UDP, PPM or Ezzard's party, none of them care. You might get some political doubletalk about the greatest regret is not signing the conservation bill into law…Chucky. But action speaks louder than words.
Look at the turtle abattoir that the government call a conservation facility, the environmentalists from around the world are lining up with their criticism and yet nothing is wrong.
Unless a new breed of politician replaces the dinosaurs it will be same old thing.
To Anonymous 10:47 — I rather though that was one of the main 'points' of the 'viewpoint' ie para six and onwards. Perhaps I didn't make it clear … not enough oxygen maybe on account of the lack of trees perhaps …
Teressa,
Touche…
"Given that his 'past’ business interests are about concrete and tarmac, it is hardly surprising" – this is a very disingenuous comment as it relates to the construction industry. A great deal of work is being done by construction professionals both here and worldwide to address the issues of sustainability, carbon reduction, etc. Just because a Minister in this present government just happens to be an engineer does not mean the rest of the wider construction world does not take these matters seriously!
so give us an example in Cayman…
I would start with Greentech
http://www.greentechcayman.com/
There are many others ….
I think the comment refers to him being part owner or ARCP, one of the two paving companies on the island, not to him being an engineer.