Survey shows overwhelming support for environmental protection

| 12/03/2021 | 68 Comments
Cayman News Service
Mangroves cleared by K&B Ltd with heavy equipment

(CNS): A public survey among 1,400 residents of the Cayman Islands revealed overwhelming support for protecting this country’s natural resources. Over 83% of respondents to Cayman ES21, initiated by Amplify Cayman, said Cayman’s natural environment was in a worse state than when the Environment Charter was signed 20 years ago. A massive 99% of those who took part said that protection of mangrove wetlands is either important or very important, just as government is pressing to cut a road through this critical habitat without even conducting an environmental impact assessment. and over 94% expressed support for effective climate change policies.

In addition to questions about people’s attitude towards the environment, the survey revealed the disconnect between the views of the people and the decisions made by the government relating to development. Over three quarters of those who took part felt their opinions are not considered and they are not listened to.

With an election just around the corner, the candidates are discussing the environment more than in past campaigns but few of them appear to be articulating a real understanding of the climate crisis and the real issues that Cayman now faces, not just in terms of slowing down future development but dealing with the legacy of historic development that is contributing to the erosion of the coastline.

Amplify Cayman said that a truly sustainable recovery post COVID-19 requires data-driven decisions and policies that are centred on the overall well-being and health of a country’s people, underpinned by a healthy, thriving natural environment.

“The results of this survey shows massive levels of support for the protection and restoration of nature. With an election set for April 2021, it is hoped the findings will assist candidates running for office to set ambitious environmental goals and commitments that align with the perspectives of the people of these islands they represent,” a spokesperson stated.

Other results showed that over 83% of respondents were concerned about the management of freshwater and that polluters of the natural environment are not being dealt with strongly enough.

The month-long survey reached over 1,400 people, the significant majority of whom are Caymanian, across all 19 constituencies. The aim was to gauge public opinion on local and global environmental issues impacting Cayman and was framed around the Guiding Principles of the Cayman Islands’ Environment Charter and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The survey was supported by the UK’s largest nature conservation charity, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, as well as the National Trust for the Cayman Islands and a number of local champions.

See the full results in the CNS Library


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Category: Land Habitat, Marine Environment, Science & Nature

Comments (68)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    I know the government coffle is not bottomless and must be continuously refilled but just maybe the right solution for the next decade is to put on record a moratorium on the following:

    1. Coastal development projects;

    2. Importation of all types of vechicles;

    3. Foreign ownership of land;

    4. Granting of citizenship to the foreign person (rich or poor); and

    5. Increase of political wages which is already to high for the amount of work the majority of them actually do.

    Doing so might just help our country develop a sustainable plan and have the necessary funds to put it in action so that the islands remain this paradise that at the moment is heading to be only for the rich and the greedy few.

  2. Anonymous says:

    Meanwhile Port (Amendment) Regulations 2021 (SL23 of 2021) Gazetted at the end of last week, removed GT Marine Park Zones and remapped it all as “Port Anchorage Area”, see page 8.

    • Anonymous says:

      Disgraceful.

      • Anonymous says:

        Cats are killing our native birds and endemic reptiles – please be responsible and keep them indoors. It is safer for the cats – they don’t get run over, or attacked by other animals or get ticks and fleas. Studies show that almost nothing is a bigger threat to wildlife than irresponsible and selfish cat owners – keep them inside!

    • Anonymous says:

      THIS IS NOT LOUD ENOUGH!!!!!

    • Anonymous says:

      Underhand, sneaky and shows exactly what they’re all about.

  3. Anonymous says:

    Imagine what’s it’s like for us to watch it over 40-50 years with the same morons in charge over and over, destroying everything for greed!!

  4. Anonymous says:

    The community wants to protect the environment. Property developers are left do what ever they want.

    Michael Ryan has just flushed the slurry from the Fin rock pool into the ocean. Debris from the construction site has been found dumped in the ocean. Every time there is storm the sand from the artificial beach will be washed over the fragile marine park.

    Michael Ryan refuses to even meet with the community.

  5. Anonymous says:

    It only took 12 years to turn Grand Cayman into a wasteland. I compare it to 2008 when I first arrived to Grand Cayman. Drive from Newlands to Cricket Square was 20 min. back then. Dancing by the beach at Royal Palms, pleasure drives on weekends, Sunday breakfast at Italian restaurant on East side, trips to Rum Point…nostalgia, nostalgia…Sad, indeed!

    • Anonymous says:

      Imagine what’s it’s like for us to watch it over 40-50 years with the same morons in charge over and over, destroying everything for greed!!

  6. Anonymous says:

    Cayman is a dump and the people don’t give a shit.

    Change my mind

    • Anonymous says:

      If we can’t convince these idiotic leaders that we have.

      Then I wish you could change the minds of the new people coming here to contribute to Cayman’s further destruction!

      No demand for housing, No supply!

      It must be really dumpy in other countries for them to continue to run to this Territory.

  7. Anonymous says:

    I have looked up Amplify. Is this a NPO as it says we can donate so I am assuming I can get info from the NPO office. Its also not clear to me who leads it or is behind it. Is it supposed to be an anonymous site? It helps for us to know.

    • Stick your neck out and become a target says:

      It also helps for anyone in the business of opposing environmental crooks to be cloaked, most people would not understand the terrain unless they are active in the same role. After all the Lodge use the same tactics so why can’t the opposition fight fire with fire?

  8. Anonymous says:

    1,400 persons. Not sure what percentage of persons this represents in relation to the size of the populous or who did the survey. But I think there is a disconnect between Caymanians that cannot afford to pay their light bill, their food bill or school fees and this sort of focus that is intended to determine our elections. The nebulous comments that refer to our environment, which we all agree is important and needs to be a factor, and the sustainability of the Cayman Islands is telling. Tell me what does this mean for our financial industry and how does this survey affect that industry which is and has always been our number one pillar? On a scale of 1 to 10 is environment a 8? Tell me how does this affect the Caymanians who are outnumbered and marginalized increasingly? Tell me how will this help the Caymanian right here and now to pay their bills and feed their children or do you all think that Caymanians are living high along with the expat community? I am not saying this isn’t important but its not the same as the plight of the Caymanian where they are now in 2021and where they will be in the future. I am also so curious how many of the persons behind this are in fact Caymanians (particularly after hearing the scoffing remarks about turtle meat!). You may live here long term etc but how many of you circulate amongst Caymanians to understand how they feel. Actually Cayman is sustainable if it has to only look after Caymanians. They have a strong constitutional history that demonstrates this, If we are building to accommodate tourists and more expats or permit holders then there is your plight of environment and there goes the life and welfare of the average Caymanian. Talking through both sides of your mouth is non productive. In any event I do not want it to be lost that yes I support the preservation of our environment (the port was a bad idea and glad it didn’t happen) but I dont like that this has shaped up as a political dossier. I dont like that the alliances unde the guise of the environment have somehow morphed into a political party that has an entirely different agenda and this is in reality a political party masquerading under a different name.

    • Anonymous says:

      There will be no island for future Caymanians if you all don’t care about the environment.

    • Anonymous says:

      Exactly, and for Cayman to become truly sustainable going forward it should not have to cost the average citizen the shirt off their back.

  9. Born Caymanian50 says:

    WE HAVE NO CHIOCE BUT TO PROTECT OUR ECO-SYSTEM! Why? Because our island is small. It is only 73 square miles. If we don’t protect rich environmental zones from population increase, they will be gone forever! The island is small, we have to get upset when we see a disregard of our natural wildlife.

  10. Anonymous says:

    We still slaughter endangered turtles
    Enough said!

  11. mikey says:

    destroy all the trees and protect the Shoe Tree

    • Anonymous says:

      Not one shoe should’ve been nailed to that tree in the first place.

    • All hail the shoe tree god says:

      Yes we like to kill endemic and regional species rather than the Australian Pine (Casuarina equisetifolia) a particularly invasive tree species. The shoe tree is now a living piece of trash art. How ironic would it be that a tree embellished with trash might be a symbol of Cayman’s own future if we continue down this irresponsible path.

    • Anonymous says:

      @1:54pm clearly your not Caymanian

  12. Anonymous says:

    The bottom line is sustainability.
    People who are invested here don’t want to see the country turn into a toxic wasteland in 5-10 years, which is where we are heading with our current environmental practices.
    It’s not just traffic. It’s not just the landfill.
    It’s a very long list which no one in government is accountable for.

    • Anonymous says:

      It is already a toxic wasteland. Don’t kid yourself it is not. And it only took 12 years. I compare it to 2008 when I first arrived to Grand Cayman. Drive from Newlands to Cricket Square was 20 min. back then.

  13. Anonymous says:

    There’s a wide gap between protection and complete disregard. Simply valuing the environment enough to factor it into decision-making and operating procedure, as our laws are written, would be a radical shift from the status quo.

  14. Shazza says:

    The majority of the people who did the survey are Caymanians.

    I for one, am NOT a tree hugger, but I am concerned with our environment.

    At 7.19 you could not have done the survey 7 times, as it asked where you lived and for an email address. If you did put an email address and was not verifiable it was not counted. If you did it 7 times only your last entry was counted.

    If you did not do the survey, shame on you.

    Cayman is losing it’s natural habitat every day. We need the mangroves for the survival of the islands, it is a natural water barrier. We need to preserve our heritage and customs, we need to improve our quality of life.

    Garbage is part of our environment and was included in the Survey… Everyone needs to take part in cleaning up!

    Please read the survey results prior to posting your comments.

    The Cayman Islands needs a change… now is the time.

    • Anonymous says:

      “The majority of the people who did the survey are Caymanians.”

      Prove it.

      “At 7.19 you could not have done the survey 7 times, as it asked where you lived and for an email address. If you did put an email address and was not verifiable it was not counted. If you did it 7 times only your last entry was counted.”

      I have 12 email addresses, I did it 7 times, all were counted.

      CNS: The response to this elsewhere by Amplify Cayman was:

      Please refer to the report for the data verification process which states:

      *A total number of 1,537 responses were received however, 68 were duplicate and others did not have verifiable associated email addresses. In the case of duplicate responses, only the final submission was considered

      • Anonymous says:

        The real point was prove that they are Caymanians. I doubt it very much. And by the way lets call out the ‘caymanians’ that are expats that only associate with expats that call themselves Caymanians when its convenient. Thanks but no thanks!

      • Back in Brac😎 says:

        I’m Caymanian, did the survey, but a tree hugger sooooo can I count in or nah?🤚

        You need to chill out tho.
        Go sink your feet into some beach sand n hush for a while.

    • Anonymous says:

      🇰🇾🇰🇾🇰🇾
      The Cayman Islands needs FUNDAMENTAL change… now is the time.

  15. Anonymous says:

    Bottom line is that there’s wealthy Caymanians in positions of power that benefit both directly and indirectly from the rampant development so don’t expect them to give a damn. They’re busy setting up their families and friends for life while the rest of their people are left behind to suffer the consequences.

    It’s greed before all else, pure and simple.

  16. Cayman Tree Hugger Association says:

    744am and 8:18am please get Help Soon ! Covid 19 or the vaccine is effecting Brain Function! Diagnosis Please Stop drinking ppm Koolaid

  17. Anonymous says:

    Government doesn’t care, so survey doesn’t matter.

    Until voters push for change, government won’t do anything. Besides, the PPM seem content on more construction, which equals more $$$.

  18. Yorkshire says:

    Do these same people care about all the litter the garbage dumped illegally all over the island …containers on empty lots with abandoned cars …clean up the mentality of these people first …yes the environment needs protection…but not enough people on this island care about what they see on there drive to work

    • Anonymous says:

      I believe you might find a different group bothers to answer these surveys compared to the large segment of the population that apparently doesn’t give a ____.

    • Anonymous says:

      If you made the effort, you could look at the response to question 9, which says that yes, 82% of people do.

    • Anonymous says:

      I walk around a little island in prospect at least a few times a week for the last few years. There is heavy equipment dumped and left to rust all over it. No one does anything cause its owned by the boat yard on the sound guy.

    • Anonymous says:

      Great name @Yorkshire!!

    • Anonymous says:

      Who exactly are ‘these people’?! This is exactly the mentality of YOU people! The reality is this Island is far better kept than most other places including first world countries. It is also the problem with these groups that feel they are fixing the Islands. I am a proud Caymanian and proud of my home. We are the envy of all other Caribbean Islands and where we stand right now almost all of the other onshore countries envy our position right now – no masks, restaurants open and life is pretty normal. How about the UK, Canada, the US, Europe? Wherever you are from? Coming to think of it – How dare you??!!!

  19. The results and our summary findings can be reviewed in our report here: https://bit.ly/3ca5aEA

    The resulting report has allowed for a greater understanding of what the people of the Cayman Islands feel needs to be done to further protect and improve public spaces, preserve culture and heritage, and ensure sustainable use of Cayman’s natural environment.

    CNS: At the end of the article we linked to the page in the CNS Library where we posted the report so it can be easily found by anyone in the future.

    • Anonymous says:

      This does not represent the people of the Cayman Islands!!! It is survey of 2.8% of the population at best! Keep it real and honest, thanks very much. Stay woke Cayman!

      • Anonymous says:

        So you hate the environment?

        • Anonymous says:

          I hate dishonesty! Most of us that bother to respond and point out the inaccuracies or the hypocrisy, care that a there is a balanced approach and care very much about Cayman and Caymanians.

  20. Anonymous says:

    Words say yes. Actions say not really. Have Caymanians shown that they care in the past? No. Did they say they cared then? Of course. Did they still build whatever, where ever, and how ever they wanted? Yes. Same as today and tomorrow. There is a huge gap between knowing what’s right and doing what’s right while saying what’s right here in the Cayman Islands. Basically what Bush said. It’s all just a cultural misunderstanding.

    • Anonymous says:

      just because you think the only way to protect the environment is to stop development doesn’t mean that any Caymanians who develop are anti environment. We need development, even if you don’t think so. We need to make our development as environmentally sensitive as possible not stop development.
      How about working with developers to achieve that goal rather than working to stop development

      • Anonymous says:

        I am pro development. Only a fool would think it can be stopped and life goes on. My point is that Caymanians have shown a disregard for the environment from the start and now as usual want the world to know that it wasn’t them.

  21. Anonymous says:

    I took this survey 7 times, it didn’t require any sort of verification as to who I was, where I lived, or what nationality I am. It is meaningless.

    • Please refer to the report for the data verification process which states:

      *A total number of 1,537 responses were received however, 68 were duplicate and others did not have verifiable associated email addresses. In the case of duplicate responses, only the final submission was considered

    • Anonymous says:

      The bottom of page 4 states that 68 duplicate responses weren’t counted. Congratulations, dipshit, yours were among those not counted!

    • Concerned says:

      If it was meaningless, why did you complete it 7 times.🤯🤯🤯. Troll methinks!

  22. Hubert says:

    No real political will here by anyone to do anything about the environment with the exception of Wayne Panton.

    The Cayman Islands Government is pathetic when it comes to any enforcement of environmental laws and regulations.

    There is a real need for a Green Party here as the developers have total control on these Islands.

  23. Anonymous says:

    Hmmm… were any sitting MPs or present candidates polled?

  24. Anonymous says:

    Do we all want a clean environment? Absolutely.

    Is the climate destroying the earth and are the seas rising? Absolutely not. This is complete panic insanity to drive a global carbon tax-fraud worth trillions pushed by leftist globalists.

    Don’t let these lefists continually lie to you.

    https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/pricing-carbon

    https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-019-00124-x

    https://www.uvic.ca/research/centres/globalstudies/assets/docs/publications/l20/a-global-carbon-tax.pdf

    • Hubert says:

      So smart ass 8:18, it is so easy to sit back and critique everyone but why not offer some policy prescriptions. The problem with the right is that they clearly support the status quo while offering no policies because they are intellectually bankrupt on environmental issues.

      So easy to simply say we want a clean environment. Put your thinking cap on and offer some ideas.

      • Anonymous says:

        I am not 8.18 but I have been offering ideas for years, as have many others. They fall on deaf ears. No wonder people feel disenfranchised, they have no real voice and when they do get a chance, they get pId lip service, especially around elections.

    • Anonymous says:

      Five minutes to Hannity, Rain Man. Better run along now.

      • Miami Dave says:

        12:02, Hannity, the one who says climate change and global warming is a Chinese hoax.

        Can’t beat that level of intelligence. 😝 😝 😝

      • Anonymous says:

        Yeah, the same Hannity who said last night Biden should thank Trump for his excellent COVID response. Can’t make this stuff up.

  25. Anonymous says:

    LOL. A survey of 1400 handpicked tree huggers, those who know better didn’t waste their time.

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