Cayman must cut emissions, says Panton
(CNS): The Cayman Islands has one of the largest carbon footprints per capita in the world, which Premier Wayne Panton has said must be reduced. In a video call from the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, the PACT Government leader pointed out that if countries like Cayman are going to press other governments to reduce their massive carbon footprints that will inevitably impact us, we have to do our part first. He said local emissions need to be cut by almost two thirds as soon as possible.
“Our per capita contribution to carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is about 12.4 tonnes and that is higher than many other big countries,” he said on the call with Donna Bush from CIGTV. “On a per capita basis, we need to reduce that down to… around 4.8 tonnes as quickly as possible.” He said we need the credibility of showing that we have done our share to be able to press the big polluters.
“We are the ones that are going to feel it first and we are the ones that are going to feel it most,” he said, stressing the importance of Cayman and other small nations being at the conference to have their voices heard. He warned that Cayman was in danger of losing our beautiful marine environment as the planet warms, which was unthinkable and the world had to find ways of making dramatic change.
Panton pointed out that while COVID-19 was a temporary crisis that needed to be tackled, dealing with the climate was an existential crisis and we could lose the opportunity to address the forthcoming disaster if we do not act now.
With the likelihood of COP26 concluding without any kind of real change, Panton said that in some ways there was a sense of hopelessness. However, the young people who are campaigning for change were inspiring, as were the representatives of indigenous people from Brazil who are pressing home the critical need to protect the natural world.
He also spoke about the Terra Carta Action Forum hosted by the Prince of Wales on Wednesday. This is a project targeted at the private sector and awards businesses for sustainable and green initiatives. Panton said that seeing hundreds of CEOs from major companies committing to reducing their carbon outputs to zero and pushing sustainability across their business gave him hope.
See the full video call below:
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Category: Climate Change, Science & Nature
China has increased its greenhouse gas emissions more in the last 20 years that the entire rest of the world has reduced theirs.
They have announced they intend to continue to increase their emissions till 2030; then they might start reducing them. Perhaps to the 2027 or 2028 level; who knows.
That’s a country of 1.4 BILLION people increasing their damage to the climate.
What we do is like a gnat biting an elephant.
Sorry but we are doomed to lose our coral reefs and beaches and no one will do anything about it.
Kinda ironic from a country which runs ac 24/7 in its old gov building (glasshouse) which has been empty for something like 7 years now.
I’m told it is supposed to be keeping servers or electronics cool. But that was told to me by a politician, so take it for what it’s worth.
Ban all plastic bags being given out by the supermarkets from the 1st January 2022.
A very simple task, even if CIG don’t do it the supermarkets could just stop giving them out.
Stop eating fish
You know, I support this, I really do. I bought two dozen plastic shopping bags, because I could. What are people supposed to use to carry their groceries?
We should definitely get away from plastic bags, however like so many green ideals, there should be a replacement before outlawing the offensive item. BEFORE outlawing it. Otherwise, we are just backslapping for having legislated a great innovation, while the majority of the people struggle to carry the repercussions.
When I was a boy, there were paper bags. Then, the bags were deemed to be environmentally unfriendly, and plastic came around, because it was recyclable. But we don’t recycle grocery bags do we?
So, let us think about funding reusable grocery bags for all residents. ALL of them, BEFORE any legislation.
Still sound like a simple task? What did YOU intend to carry your groceries in?
Reusable shopping bags. You keep them in your car and use them every time you go to the grocery store. Besides critical applications like medical equipment, no plastic should EVER end up in the landfill after a single use. For the next few hundred years, our entire society and the Earth will be paying for your minor convenience.
Sorry, I wasn’t clear. That’s what I meant about “plastic shopping bags”. I think the rest of my points are clear.
The new bike lanes on West Bay Road, though many many years past due, are mostly there for a short stretch, and are very welcoming addition where they now partially exist. We need more of them, linking corridors and seamlessly connecting to each other, with stencilling for motorists to share the road – especially at traffic circles where lanes and space dissolves to nothing and there are no markings. South of Marriott there is no shoulder or space at all. It’s like the NRA are collectively signing off on what they know is a sick and deadly joke.
We need fresh eyes at NRA on these transport issues, if these are to be credible attempts at new solutions. All of Cayman’s many cycling and triathlon members, as well as wider community, CITA hotels and Condos should be involved in these consultations, to get it right. There has been an obligation to incorporate cycling into every road paved and re-lined since 2015. By now, it should be done with kids safely and confidently biking to school. We should have many thriving bike shops, parking at every mall, and potable water refill stations – at least a couple along busiest corridors in tourism districts.
I disagree. These cycle lanes are barely any different from before. New road markings are NOT the answer.
What we need on WBR is to get rid of the centre lane of certain death. It’s totally unnecessary. If every vehicle could only turn left, whether joining or leaving, and there were roundabouts (“traffic circles” every half mile, you would never have to drive more than 2 mins to safely turn around and head the way you want, without ever having to cross a lane of traffic and – poof! – no centre lane needed.
We also need one way streets. If South Sound Rd was one way (out of town probably) with speed bumps, the other lane could be converted to a cycle/running track with trees down the middle. Most other countries have one way systems all around town. Is it frustrating? Sometimes. But traffic actually moves FASTER. That’s why they do it.
If we continue to prioritise cars to the point that they cannot be inconvenienced one little bit, we will only encourage more people to have them and keep making the problem worse.
Provide a viable alternative – safe cycle routes – and a little inconvenience, and ebikes will be flying off the shelves, reducing the need for cars AND roads.
Completely agree. To create real bike lanes will cost a bundle. A huge bundle. I think it will be a project though, that will help propel the Cayman Islands into a better place for the future.
AFTER we fix the dump, and by that I don’t mean move the dump somewhere else. I mean FIX it. Sustainably fix it.
1) Ban imports of all incandescent lights.
Some countries began the in 2005
We are way behind.
2) Add emissions testing to vehicle inspection.
True most of the busses and taxis will fail but fix or replace.
3) Increase duty on diesel and diesel vehicles
4) Move to make Little Cayman all electric vehicles with the exception of a tractor or two.
Speed limit is only 25 anyway. Allow golf carts
5) Drop duty on electric vehicles to make them more appealing.
I only buy incandescent bulbs. Good for eyes, less EMF.
Very true.
EVs and Hybrids already have reduced duty rates.
Force CUC to allow people to power their own homes with the solar panels on their own roof while letting those customers buy power from the grid when the sun isn’t shining. This whole system of selling solar power back to CUC for crap rates that are locked in for 20 years is a disincentive for people to invest in solar panels. Why does someone have to choose between being connected to the grid and powering their own home? Greed, pure and simple. Monopolies don’t care about climate change in case you haven’t gotten that memo.
@ 1:14 – You are 100% spot on. If this government has any integrity and they actually intend to follow through on these COP26 Statements your suggestion should be the 1st one on their Agenda. Well Said…..
https://www.caymancompass.com/2021/11/04/super-yacht-arctic-pride-ii-in-cayman/
Dear Wayne
Are you going to cut visits from these vessels as well? Or will your policy only mess with local people
? What about the cruise ships that sit in the Harbour with engines running all day ?
Ps should I remove you from the Hatteras345 WhatsApp group now ?
any comment on planes and their impact on the environment?
Finally, a monorail!
Monorail to the Moon!
“Cayman’s National Energy Policy, released in 2017, noted that in 2014, Cayman’s greenhouse gas emission levels were 12.3 tonnes per capita. That policy set a local aim for 70% of total electricity generation to come from renewable sources by 2037.”
By 2/3RDs!! BY 2037.
What an absolute clown! If you think Solar gets us there you’re an absolute blistering arrogant fool!
Unless you plan on putting a nuclear plant on Cayman, this is a fool’s pipe dream.
Don’t be surprised if Pantoon signed us up to millions in penalties if this insanity can’t be met.
Cayman Islands get a lot of sun. We need to utilize that sunshine. If can’t put sun panels on roof tops then build nice concrete pad and then secure the panels on posts on the concrete pads. Run electrical wires to the house.
Way way too many vehicles on the islands. Stop imports for awhile. A family of two don’t need 4 vehicles.
Why does it matter how many vehicles one has? They can only drive one at a time, and when a car breaks down it can take months to get a part.
What you probably don’t realise, (no shame to it), is that while we have excellent sun, we also have a great deal of water vapor continually in our atmosphere. That doesn’t mean that solar panels don’t work here — because they do — but that this may not be the glaringly wonderful place to go solar that you imagine it to be. Likewise, our winds are often ‘wandering’ winds, and not usually sustained in the same direction. Again, wind power works here. Just not a peak place to use it.
I think we will get there eventually, through a combination of solar and wind, and perhaps tide power. I’m not disagreeing with your outlook, because all of your points are important. I’m just interjecting some reality from experience.
Before we can do anything with the private sector I want to see
1. Reliable and safe public transport
2. solar panels on all government buildings
Until then… I don’t want to hear any more grand speeches.
Got it Wayne ?
How about causing CUC to pay an amount for grid-tie that isn’t insulting?
Wayne goes to this climate change conference to rub shoulders with the elite, world leaders and grip Lodge brothers.
While in Cayman COVID is spreading fast. It looks like we might have serious issues to contend with before 20 November.
If Wayne’s poor and embarrassing leadership as President of the Caymanian Bar Association is any indication how it will be until 2025, then the Cayman Islands is in a lot of trouble.
Forgot about Wayne almost destroying the CBA and then starting the beginning of the end for Caymanian attorneys with the Legal Practitioners Bill 2016 (drafted by Maples & Calder) later paved the way for the Cayman Islands Legal Practitioners Association (CILPA) and Cayman Attorneys Regulation Authority (CARA) that is destroying Cayman’s legal profession.
But that’s Wayne. Worrying about climate change and carbon emissions when Caymanian attorneys are being discriminated against in Cayman and attempting to make Caymanian attorneys redundant in Cayman.
It’s starting to appear that, despite being the PACT’s Premier, Wayne’s heart is still with his former party, the PPM.
Similarities between Wayne and Alden?
Both Freemasons.
Both were President of Caymanian Bar Association.
Both have made efforts, while in Cabinet/Parliament, destructive to Caymanian attorneys.
Both were partners in law firms that have presence in multiple jurisdictions.
Both seek legal advice from the Attorney General, whose decisions and actions have been targeting Caymanian attorneys.
Both are elitists. But Wayne has a bit of a heart and is (sometimes) humble and respectful, but Alden is arrogant and exhibits narcissistic traits.
Both need to be voted out next election, but not to make way for turncoat Alva to get back in.
Both are guilty of anti-Caymanian emissions that are destructive to the socio-economic framework for the Cayman Islands and are hurting opportunities for Caymanians to earn a living.
#1. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Per capita bla bla bla.. lets remember we are a spec on the global stage.
Maybe, but every country, regardless of size should participate in positive change because climate change affects every country, regardless of size.
More solar, more wind, less diesel, lower CUC & CBP&L bills. What’s not to like?
One mighty stinky toxic spec.
Your Trash Is Emitting Methane In The Landfill. Here’s Why It Matters For The Climate
https://www.npr.org/2021/07/13/1012218119/epa-struggles-to-track-methane-from-landfills-heres-why-it-matters-for-the-clima
Exactly. My farts produce more greenhouse gas than Cayman.
Maybe Panton should of set upnhis zoom account instead of flying in plane over there.
The Premier telling us like we run CUC…
Well … OfReg … perhaps someone should tell the Government what the Premier said.
The easiest thing that the Premier could do is to mandate the government move to work from home program to take cars off the roadways, reducing vehicle emissions and traffic issues such as congestion and accidents and the carbon footprint of the government buildings.
The second easiest thing to do is to mandate bussing for school children. As a previous poster said, too many gas guzzling SUVs, trucks and cars idling daily.
These simple actions show action and are inexpensive.
…and that CUC power generation transition to another fuel like Hydrogen or Ammonia ASAP from diesel. Of the two, Ammonia is the easier retrofit to burn in the existing diesel generators. Solar produces power during sunny days (with some other problems), but at night we either need supercapicitor battery storage that doesn’t quite exist for grid scale levelling, or a generator of some kind. Also, with 4000 feet of ocean depth directly adjacent, and 15-20 degrees Celsius thermal variance to work with, Ocean thermal power is another avenue we should seriously consider. In theory, we already have immediate access to limitless free power, like Iceland – we also have super-heated black smokers just a few miles down dip! We are stuck in an inflexible power rut with monopolists deciding our fate.
Ocean can be used to store the energy generated by solar during the day to use it at night. Ditto storing wind for use off-hours. Just Google “ORES” and “FLASC”
http://www.offshoreenergystorage.com
How about cutting the cost of living first?
Stop developing all available space on island. You can barely see any trees now. Everything you see is building after building after building. Too many people is also causing the deterioration of the environment. This beloved Islands will be destroyed by overdevelopment, overpopulation!
HAHAHAHAH. what emissions does cayman possibly create.
Diesel. Granted. We need electricity.
Garbage methane. Dart is taking care of that.
Car exhaust. Cant’ get around that.
So again, what emissions does cayman create.
Don’t discount all the hot air generated by the vax versus antivax conversation.
Says the man with the 54 hatteras with the “big” engines.
What’s Wayne going to do call up CUC and tell them to shut down? Of course CUC is doing their part by the frequent unplanned power outages. COP26 was a total waste of time. Between the 400 private jets that flew in and the hot air generated by the speakers this do nothing conference probably created enough hot air to raise the global temp. by at least 2 degrees. LMAO
So will we be putting a stop to the runaway population increase? After all, humans are the cause of a degrading environment. I’m willing to bet nothing in that regards will change.
Cayman has a National energy policy that was made law in 2017. It requires 70% of our electricity to be renewable by 2037. There is a plan but it has been ignored and blocked by the previous government and OfReg in particular. We still only generate 5% from renewables and lag behind most other Caribbean islands. EVERY country has to play their part and let’s hope Premier Panton will step up to the plate
I will be surprised if the NEP’s requirement for 70% renewable energy within 16 years, will be met by CUC. At the moment, CUC is achieving just over 3% and a significant amount of this is from private investment in solar energy. The (out of service) Doppler radar installation in East End put the kaibosh on any wind-generated energy, and attempts at farts, tide, swell, ocean temperature gradients or other similarly esoteric energy production wheezes, are non-existent.
That leaves CUC having to wonder how they are going to get from the current (forgive my pun) 4MW renewable to 92MW renewable in 2037. This means that CUC has to be adding around 5.5MW every year for the next 16 years- especially as it took them 4 years just to get to the first 4MW!
Incidentally, it requires between 30 and 40 acres of land for a 5MW solar farm. We know that CUC has acquired off of Imperato, about 400 acres of land in East End that should then yield around 57MW of solar power, leaving a shortfall of some 240 acres needed for solar generation. Someone needs to tell Miss Gina over at Department of Environment that we are going to give over 650-odd acres of her precious East End or North Side indigenous woodland to CUC to do this…
How is that Wayne when neither you nor the great pretender Alden want to deal or put legislation in place to deal with the amount vehicles being imported into this island I distinctly remember the great Alden on Rooster telling listeners it’s a right ! It’s a down right disgrace the amount of accidents and traffic we have to suffer now with now whilst you make grand statements.The assault on this environment continues daily . We can’t even protect our rights to access the beach that too is being negotiated away with our resident Land God ! Speaking of imported where is your so called Strategic Advisor ?? Same old same old Ppm bull$#@% !! You better get home and deal with this grand opening Cluster %@&! Coming here on the 20 th cause His Royal Highness won’t be able to bail you out that when it hits the Fan ! Aaaah but the distraction some go to great lengths to create ,so they can get what they want from the Cayman Islands! I supported you Wayne because I thought you might make a difference. All I see now is you being very indifferent to the Caymanian people and their hopes and dreams for a better Cayman!
So you want Cayman to set a precedent before it can voice to others about reducing their own carbon footprint.
Well you’re going to have to make a stance Mr Premier, one that you can shout from the rooftops, simply relaying a number that shows reduction isn’t going to do it. Can we become an Orkney Island, probably not; cut into CUC’s cronyism, I’ll guess not significantly. So what can we do. Let’s do something that shows real sacrifice, real b⚽️s Mr Premier, like becoming a French Polynesia, a Venice, a Florida Keys (before Desantis over ruled their wishes) whom have tried to ban, or significantly reduce cruise ship calls, (there’s additional places which have done the same where the economic loss has less of a impact). Let’s be the first place to ban them outright and make a noise about it, ‘Cayman and it’s People’. Sure there will be local repercussions, but as you said Mr Premier, “COVid is a temporary crisis” but ‘we could lose the opportunity to address the forthcoming disaster if we do not act now.’ – and you’d outshine Alden for spinning the port referendum as his own as perceived in the international media.
Ah, start using solar and wind power? Hmmmm. Too many people in power own CUC shares so it won’t happen.
Emissions could be cut significantly with people using bicycles to commute, but it is just so damn dangerous to ride on Cayman roads! Despite promises from government nothing of value has been done.
Also what happened to the ‘green’ initiative to encourage work from home? So many people go to an office to work at a computer when it can be done from home. You would see a sizeable drop in morning traffic.
Make buses to schools mandatory, it is simply ridiculous to see the amount of SUV’s lining up to pick up children from school.
These are simple and effective solutions for us to make a contribution. The solar argument really doesn’t work with a monopoly provider with guaranteed profits, this is why it has failed so far, and the cost of solar installation takes too long to recover from savings.
May be in Amsterdam you can ride a bicycle, in Cayman it is “suicide by biking”.
And too damn hot and/or wet!
Here’s a first step, Panton should lead by example and use a bicycle to commute around Cayman instead of his big SUV. Loss a good 80 pounds or so.
Joey had his picture taken next to a bicycle once.
What about that huge boat
Municipal solid waste landfills are the third-largest source of human-related methane emissions.
“ Methane traps much more heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide, although for a shorter period of time. All told, one tonne of methane does about 25 times more damage to the climate over a 100-year period than one tonne of carbon dioxide, according to the EPA.”
Cayman Dump is not a landfill, if is an open air rotting stinking Dump. Its methane-foot print is higher than that of landfills.
Methane menace: Aerial survey spots ‘super-emitter’ landfills
https://www.reuters.com/business/sustainable-business/methane-menace-aerial-survey-spots-super-emitter-landfills-2021-06-18/
This is laughable. Not saying it’s doesn’t need to be done, but here are a couple of things that come to mind. Diesel generated power. Shares owned by a corrupt government officials and system that doesn’t work. Absolutely 0 regulations on vehicles in and way shape of form, you don’t even limit what markets they come form. I have watched countless Air conditioning techs vent refrigerant to atmosphere and I haven’t had that much experience with them. Thats a $1,000,000 fine in some countries. This is just like a kid that just watched and action movie and now wants to be a ninja. Good luck with all of this. But this government couldn’t organize a bar room piss up, let alone this . Corruption stems from the top also wouldn’t want someone’s feeling to be hurt and for them to actually have to work for thier money.
Premier Panton great that you’re acknowledging that our Carbon footprint is extremely high which is in itself is a major catastrophe yet what will you do asap to reverse this? First thing is break up CUC monopoly and start focusing on renewable energy, involve the Water Authority and Cayman Water in establishing Hydro energy and look at building offshore wind power. Replant mangroves and native vegetation as they play a massive role in cutting out CO 2 in the atmosphere.
Also a priority is placing a 100% duty on all gas vehicles, get rid of diesel cuzzling 20 year vehicles like the Omini busses,1 vehicle per family, get Ferry services, proper 24 hour green busses and then we can go from there. Stop talking politics and start an action plan 2030 NOW, our planet is in danger.
Agree with everything except 1 vehicle per family. With people’s varying schedules and appointments that is not feasible.
Rooftop solar panels are an important option but not available to many because house building codes don’t allow for the extra weight in roof construction. Need Planning to impose better roof structures to allow subsequent solar installations. Too many house builders cutting corners.
A less immediate need is to ensure new builds are actually raised above ground level. Sea rises are inevitable so why not ensure new properties are protected from rising water levels. We probably can’t do much about roads, drives, gardens, but we can begin to make moves to raise foundations. Just an idea.
Great, protect even more unneeded new developments and flood my existing property. No thanks.
If the Cayman Islands stopped using fossil fuels tomorrow morning, it would have zero effect on global warming. Wayne is just happy he got a photo op with the Queen’s son.
The biggest problem facing this Island has been, is and always will be the DUMP………..until a Govt with a spine does something about it.
Global warming is not our biggest problem, neither is Covid……..
It’s the dump. A third world dump at that!…..
The only solution that was on the table came from ‘Evil Mr Dart’, but the Bodden Towner’s put a halt to that .
Yet still here we are with the unlined dump leaking, leeching, doing untold damage to this Island and all who live and visit here.
This and all previous Govts havnt had the balls to pull the trigger and make some genuine effort to fix it. Maybe it will magically vanish when fully covered up by thousands of tonnes of fill.
Why would BT residents want the dump to come to their district? I don’t blame them from speaking up and saying no.
It wouldn’t have been a dump like the current one though. A waste processing facility, away from an urban area would have solved unemployment issues, uprated our recycling capabilities, and saved us from several toxic fires as it would have already been up and running. NIMBY idiots.
So the rich on 7mile must be exempt from the dump but BT residence should welcome it? You are a joker. Thank God you are not Premier, President, or anyone of importance
As usual Mr Mugabe IV sits in the middle of a circle stabbing out and prodding genitals, hoping & looking for a reaction from those around him
biggest thing anyone can do ..is stop eating meat.the #1 carbon producing industry.
bad for animals, bad for humans and a disaster for the planet.
wayne…you got the stones to bring in an extra duty on imported meat…????….i would not bet on it.
Meat production is not “the #1 carbon producing industry”. The problem with pushing erroneous information is it degrades the overall argument.
If anyone wants to know why Cayman has such a high per capita level look up the actually polluting industries and then see which ones Cayman are involved in. Hint: it involves moving things around over long distances. – If you thought not eating meat was hard, try an economy not eating the imported food.
Good job Mr. Premier.
For what 8:51am Doing absolutely nothing but expanding our population putting even more strain on the environment and infrastructure. Just like Alden just another Ppm clown in a Pact suit !
Ok…well I’m prompted to say:
1. Nothing’s bad about Cayman Islands’ (Premier Panton’s) attendance at COP26, or any other climate change forum, the more awareness the better;
2. Any and all efforts should be exercised by any nation, country, territory, whatever, bearing in mind its relative impact on the global scale, to reduce or NEUTRALIZE carbon emissions.
The Premier states that we have one of the highest per capita carbon footprints in the world. Please don’t just go for the instant “shock” value. That must be taken in proper context and any assessments and remediation policies, plans, actions etc., made in the same context. But in no way can it be expected that Cayman will make a noticeable impact on global carbon reduction, so that should never be an achievable goal;
3. Let’s not fool ourselves, Cayman will very likely NEVER consume (much) less fossil fuels that we do now. So initiatives seeking the mass non-reliance on fossil fuel within the general timeframes referenced in climate circles (2050-ish) for Cayman will have to focus STRONGLY on alternatives which every man on the street know by now. I’m not going to debate the argument of electric vehicles “not really” reducing the carbon footprint because they use carbon-generated electricity. They don’t produce emissions, so in my book they reduce carbon!
But clearly, as others have posted, solar is the primary energy source which Cayman has NO reason to not utilize en-masse. As an example, I recall visiting Barbados many years ago and saw solar-heated water systems on most houses.
4. Cayman should not stretch for lofty and unattainable carbon-zero goals but should strive diligently for carbon-neutrality to as great an extent that a responsible population can achieve!
5. Solar applications should be factored into all building and development plans. BUT, instead of every new code upgrade costing two arms, one leg and a pint of blood (esp. since Hurricane Ivan) all solar-powered installations would qualify for application cost rebates or waivers from the Dept. of Planning. If Gov’t can give duty waivers to billionaire developers, they can give energy rebates to Man-in-the Street homebuilder or developer (to be passed on to the home purchaser)!!
6. Green! it’s not just the movement, it’s the colour, the chlorophyll!! The process which sustains that colour requires every green leaf to inhale carbon dioxide and exhale our li fe-giving oxygen (primary school science to benefit some readers, perhaps, and some Government Ministers). So more green bush = less carbon, cleaner air!
7. So, Premier Wayne, your enthusiasm in noted. Please be real and realistic in your way forward. Along with electric vehicles, solar installations, other carbon-reducing tech perhaps, get SERIOUS about enforcing litter & pollution fines, so as to instill a seriousness in the population. Give incentives for people to become engaged (not $$$). Then please focus on less concrete, less pavements, more green spaces (while I’m at it…allow ganja farming – every tree helps), lessen pollution from land-based industries, implement practical and island-wide recycling actions, etc., etc.
Someone’s going to say “Fix the dump”, so may as well add that too..
Let’s see how serious you are Cap’n.
Whilst I applaud the zeal Mr Premier Sir, this statement is vapid much like that for the COVid plan. Break down the carbon footprint, – what is it, vehicle emissions, cows, diesel power or could all the concrete be the most significant contributor as you back away from your election stand about development ? Stop being Mr Vague Mr Premier as it won’t matter what you say if you find yourself out of office before you start. 😵💫
Concrete, cars, diesel electric generation and a significant lack of insulation in air conditioned homes in that order.
Stop development of millionaire canal side homes, fix traffic conjestion and reduce to zero import taxes on electric cars, build solar farms and wind generators and incentivise green construction. Job done.
Legit public transportation too. Electric bus program and rail.
When you don’t know what you’re talking about, you tend to be vague.
It’s the cars. We don’t have any pub,ic transport systems at all. Unique to not have public transport
Ditto. Too many cars. Start with an electric bus program with fares and scheduled routes, require more work from home countrywide, and work to high speed rail.
If Wayne is serious then he needs to ensure that the new Waste to Energy plant is completed, including plans to sell energy to CUC. This project will also close the current landfill, prevent leakage into the ground and divert large amounts of methane to create energy for electricity. A win win. But these guys are messing about with it. God help us.
Dart, is that you?
As Greta said, it’s all just a bunch of “blah, blah, blah”
https://doe.ky/sustainable-development/carbon-footprint/
Next question trying to duck having to actually change our lifestyle in ways you already know are needed?
Good initiative but our contribution to the global problem is relatively insignificant. Besides, we can’t even protect our mangroves properly, have proper planning laws that prevent beach erosion or protect mangroves. Why don’t we start there. These things are under our direct control and aren’t problems we have been able to solve yet we are talking about helping to solve a global problem.
small minded garbage….imagine if every population centre of 70-100k thought the same way…..
Why our electricity comes from diesel in 2021 is bizarre. Solar, wind and even nuclear are all better long term solutions. Maybe the dump power facility can help.
Except for facilitating the massive revenue losses caused by offshore tax breaks for the greed rich which harms efforts of the developing world to protect themselves.
Scotland is COVID 19 Free?
I don’t see any mask or social distance here
I guess Covid-19 is now becoming prejudices
The uk learnt to live with it months ago. Cayman could learn a lot
New Delta variant in 8 US states, bobo
Yeah, their total numbers of dead are enviable – NOT!!!
nope but i bet every attendee is fully vaxxed. wonder why there is no such mandates in cayman for social events????
He holds it in his hand. At least on other photos.
Please hold for Richard Hew
Will he accept the collect call though?
This whole thing about going carbon free sounds peachy but the reality is that socialists have been pushing this for their own agenda in the last few years. The useless United Nations recently said of the world reaching historical records of pollution and heat, creating terror of biblical proportions and so the activists who live like royalty, spending and wasting tax money who only benefits their friends who run “alternative energy” programs that has been a total disaster and pushing inflation to levels not seen in 20 years. The reality is that with Covid pollution fell in the last year and the hurricane season even was below mild.
There is no alternative energy that is as cheap and reliable as fossil and coal. Now Europe and US have a energy crisis for such policies and bad politics. China had same problem and is back burning coal.
Rather than starting small by addressing the pollutants of plastic containers and improving recycling, these politicians and their friends are cashing out with trillion of dollars bills that will only benefit them but the world.
Until they don’t start breaking the problem by as much as possible to tackle it with reasonable solutions, this whole thing is a charade.
Ok, so instead of whining, what solutions can you put forward?
Socialists, lol. Try scientists instead, and consume more media than right wing garbage. Capitalism is responsible for massive pollution issues globally.
Incentivize behavior through removing the duty on solar panels, electric vehicles, charge stations and replacement batteries. Another example would be to make LED light bulbs affordable. Make CUC a participant in residential solar generation rather than an obstacle. If you can’t go green for the same or less cost as fossil, few will pay the difference.
You will be selling that gas guzzling boat then?
Do as I say, not as I do.
Wayne believe he got the power, when really it’s CUC who does.
Politicians better stop talking BS then and start listening to the recommendations of your scientific advisors in relevant departments. Besides all that hot air constitutes a significant emission.
I see no other Premiers for the overseas territories or crown dependencies in attendance at COP21.
At least Cayman appears to be leading on this front👍🏽
Others dealing with the pandemic crisis that is before us now
Put glasses on
COP21?
No because they are at COP26. Where is COP21 being held?
Most bad sense and zoomed in from the comfort and safety of home.
Not true. Jamaica’s Prime Minister was in attendance. That much is true.
But Wayne needs to be in Cayman.
Wayne has some good things to say, but no action to back it up.
Both Roy and Wayne are jellyfish. Spineless.
Mask and social distancing for thee, not for me.
he is following the laws of that country and will have to be tested negative to return here….try harder.
While I applaud any effort to reduce our carbon footprint, if the threat of human extinction doesn’t move the ‘big’ countries to resolve the issue then Cayman reducing its carbon footprint certainly won’t. To say that we need to cut ours by two-thirds before we begin to speak to bigger countries about theirs is really not fair or practical. The fact is that when considering carbon footprint and the global impact, the per capital comparison is woefully inadequate. Cayman’s actual total carbon dioxide contribution is paltry compared to most other countries on the planet. I would encourage the government to better join forces with the rest of the region to address this issue as one voice because our total contribution to the problem is small, therefore our total contribution to the solution will also be small and of little effect. However we will be the first impacted by rising sea levels caused by the lack of serious movement on this issue by the larger countries that want to see us put our money where our mouths are while they continue to ignore the problem.
We don’t really care what the little specks do.
everyone has a part to play..no matter how big or how small.
with your flawed logic….florida could opt out cos they have a tiny effect on global carbon emmisions….zzzzzz
Terrific Wayne.
Might I suggest immediate plans for solar installations on the roofs of all large government buildings.
All duties should be temporarily waived on panels and batteries etc.
There is going to be a significant downturn in the construction industry in a couple of years. To coincide with that, please start plans now to arrange for solar arrays to be installed in all government car parks. Incentives can be given to help with the installation of similar solar farms above car parks of other entities (schools, offices, churches). It might even provide an income stream, does not require the use of additional land, and will help greatly in achieving your aims.
Planning should require solar/energy efficient design as part of its deliberations.
Alternative energy supplies are duty free and have been for several years. It’s not enough, but it’s better than nothing.
When alternative energy saves more than fossil fuels, then people will flock to it. we aren’t there yet by a long sight. Still, a prudent person or small business can install wind/solar and break even, then save money. They can also feel warm about their contribution.
If CUC and even Cayman Brac Power and Light would reinvest in alternative energies, it might not immediately benefit the shareholders, but with effective oversight, it could eventually pay very well, and help cut the oil/diesel cord.
There are other factors that people don’t often think about. With less diesel being consumed, that means diesel prices would skyrocket. Diesel runs all three islands, so when you plan to reduce the use of it, also consider the additional price of electric trucks, waste haulers, heavy equipment and other large machines.
Not saying it’s not doable by any means, just that it will take a consideration of the entire problem to affect a meaningful change; if, in our zeal to mitigate fossil fuels we create peripheral rising costs, we’ve failed to look at the whole picture.
I don’t know about you, but I think we often fail to look at the whole picture.
Better work on the dump first- it is more of an environmental issue for CI. Further, I use solar panels and while they have their purpose don’t forget that the panels have a service life and after that they are junk. No one is recycling them and they contain some pretty toxic items. That lead, cadmium and other stuff will be leaching into your ground and water after that.
There is no magic bullet for energy.
I will be delighted if these statements translate into QUICK action. Rooftop solar is such an obvious thing for every house in the Cayman Islands. Let’s see if this government, and our Premier, can get CUC and Offreg on board, and provide government incentives (duty waivers, planning concessions etc) for green initiatives.
Start with all the hot air Wayne.
Fix the damn dump.
And the new waste to energy thing reduces carbon. What is it taking government so long to get it done?
Tough to get millionaire investors in a project that isn’t a luxury condo in a tax free haven