Trees planted to offset COP26 but more face bulldozer
(CNS): A dozen more trees went into the ground last month when the Ministry of Sustainability and the National Trust partnered up with youth climate ambassadors to partially offset their travel to the COP26 climate conference in November. However, the tree-planting, while welcome, comes in the face of local deforestation as planning applications to bulldoze untouched land, including mangroves and ancient woodland habitat, continue apace.
Nine Caymanian students and three officials attended the COP26, so 12 trees (including ten Broadleaf, Cordia sebestena var. caymanensis) have been planted at the Blue Iguana Conservation (BIC) facility at the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park to offset the air travel emissions.
However, there is no indication of any planned offset to the loss of almost six acres of primary habitat containing hundreds, if not thousands, of trees in both East End and West Bay at just two sites granted planning permission during a March CPA meeting.
This series of tree planting events to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee is a drop in the bucket compared to what is being lost across the country month by month due to development.
Premier Wayne Panton’s commitment to a lasting legacy of sustainability for future generations is not in doubt. He has been a stalwart advocate for the environment for many years and the architect of the National Conservation Law and the champion of the epic battle to steer it through parliament in the face of opposition even from his open party. What is becoming increasingly apparent, however, is that he is still in conflict with his own government, specifically his planning ministry.
Over the last year the PACT Government has helped double the amount of land under protection but that is still just 11%, well short of the target that Panton has told CNS he supports of around 35%. And while the premier is seeking ways to preserve and sustain Cayman, far more is being destroyed, with mangroves on the front line.
Last year a new hospital was given planning permission in West Bay that will see some 22 acres of the remaining scarce mangrove lost. More mangrove habitat in the district is at risk as part of a 157-acre planned area development being proposed by Dart, which is yet to receive planning permission.
But if the entire development goes ahead, 40 acres of mangroves will be lost and the health of the North Sound will also be threatened.
According to the latest report from the UN’s Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), halting deforestation is one of the six actions all government’s must now take in order to make progress on climate change mitigation to slow down the pace of global warming.
With greenhouse gas emissions still rising, the panel in this report is focusing on the key measures to stop it, and one of them is to cease cutting down trees and instead restore forests, peatlands, coastal wetlands, savannas and grasslands.
While the Department of Environment has continued to make recommendations about how to prevent tree loss in the face of development and replace it where it can be saved, the Central Planning Authority has failed to place any conditions on developers that are clearing land of mangroves or forest to replace the lost habitat.
Despite the clear policy from Premier Wayne Panton, his vision for a sustainable future for the country is at odds with the current pace of development and the decisions being made in the planning ministry. The CPA is in evident conflict with the DoE, and at meeting after meeting the board is granting applications that are rapidly deforesting the country and clearing mangroves.
While Panton talks about sustainability, the DoE is taking the CPA to court over an unsustainable decision it made in the face of a directive to turn down an application.
Speaking at the recent tree planing at the Botanic Park, Panton again stressed his vision for a sustainable future. He stated clearly that trees have renewed importance in national efforts to prevent, mitigate and adapt to climate change.
“What is becoming more significant is the reality that we need those trees alive. We need them for shade, to give off water vapor through their leaves, to absorb carbon and emit oxygen,” he said. “We have a right to try to seek our own prosperity today but what we don’t have a right to do is seek it at the expense of the prosperity of the children of tomorrow. To me, that’s what sustainability means.”
National Trust Environmental Programmes Manager Catherine Childs, who accompanied the student delegates to COP26, said a highlight for the young climate advocates had been the opportunity to sit down with the premier and discuss the opportunities and challenges for sustainability in the Cayman Islands.
“Imagine being 18, 19 or 20 years old, sitting across from the leader of your country and having him seriously ask you what you think we should be doing? That was an incredible experience,” she said. “And now he’s here to plant trees so we can offset the emissions. The premier is here today supporting young Caymanians and literally getting his hands dirty to support climate action.”
However, despite listening to the young climate ambassadors, the pace of development coupled with the continued decisions by the CPA to waive highwater mark setbacks, allow mangrove clearance and deforestation of primary habitat demonstrate that Panton’s support of climate action has not yet converted to meaningful policy.
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Category: Land Habitat, Science & Nature
Just to be an ass and make a point, I think perhaps I’ll start planting trees myself, maybe 1 per week. Take a little sapling or a cutting, and find somewhere for it to go. Then I can say that me myself and I out-planted the entire CIG government just by myself. What’s the point of 16 little tiny damn trees. What a laughable achievement. Is Wayne still driven around in a Range Rover? Pretty sure that car emits more carbon just on the way to the photo op then those trees will scrub in a decade.
Ahh but will you really? And if you did, will the ‘challenge’ posed bu Govt have worked, because you’re planting trees?
I’m going to do the same thing but plant them inside, some bonsai trees, I will name them George, I will hug them and pet them and squeeze them and ..
🌳⛄️
Ezzard got us a nice row of flowering trees right at the start of Frank Sound Road. They were growing and blooming well for a few years until the NRA mowed them down to put more gravel on the roadside. I don’t think they want any trees at all.
Where are these “ancient woodland habitats” you talk about? There might be two trees over a hundred years old somewhere but I doubt it. Most of the mature trees are 60 years tops. People forget the entire island was loggd out 200+ years ago and there is no virgin forest.
You are right there was a lot of logging, but more than 2 left. Go walk the mastic with one of the guides for example and chat with them about the oldest trees in that area.
Been there done that. Nice trees but no ancient ones.
The latest IPCC report is an indictment on the industrialized nations who have continued to offer no more than hot air to this problem.
The report clearly highlights that poorer countries will be impacted the most, simply because they aren’t in a financial position to mitigate the effects of what’s to come from climate change.
Industrialized nations must be the ones to stem the flow and take immediate action. Their out of control, nonchalant approach is putting millions of human beings in harms way.
In the Cayman context, our responsibility is to ensure that our environment is a healthy one; for the benefit of those who live here. NO ACTION we take will result in tipping the scale on this issue….that’s a fact. Our actions are consequential at a micro level. Yes it makes us feel good and believe that our savings of flora will somehow reverse this problem. But it won’t. Sorry.
IF people are serious about Cayman’s environmental health, we need to have a discussion about population control. Cayman’s population has exploded over the past two decades, not organically but by waves of immigrants. This can be pinpointed as the DIRECT cause and effect of a degrading of the island’s natural environment.
If we are serious about “saving the world” and actually making a difference globally, I invite everyone to turn away from meat. THAT will have a larger impact.
The unfortunate truth is, we can plant mangroves until we are green in the face. But as long as the major industrialized countries continue to do what they do….we will still feel the brunt of a changing climate…another point raised in previous IPCC reports.
How many planted trees before Lil Wayne makes a difference? A Milli!
Many thanks for planting the trees!, now please try to get the PACK to set up proper recycling!!
Pretty good trade, one or two seedling trees for acres of mature mangroves that the largest developer wipes out per month!
Thank you for your article and stating the reality of what is actually happening. Well done and continue to expose the destruction of the Cayman’s natural habitat. So!d to greed!
This is a community more at risk from global warming than almost all others, and the response over decades has been myopic at best, but actually obscene in its self seeking blindness!
We have steady breezes, constant sunshine and we rely on oil? We have natural defences against hurricanes but we plough up the mangroves? So someone please explain why this man seen by one small “tree” is virtuous?
We sit on limitless free thermal power from black smokers less than 20 miles offshore, yet we import all our energy.
07 @ 8:44am – those black smokers are so deep it makes it impractical, and thus fiercely expensive, at this time.
Perhaps you could interest Elon or Jeff?. Mark? Richard?
Where have all the flowers gone
Long time passing
Where have all the trees gone
Long time ago
Where have all dem gone
Long time ago
Developers dug em up everyone
Oh when will we ever learn
Oh when will we ever learn
Apologies to Peter, Paul and Mary
Where have all the conchs, lobstas and turtles gone?
06 @ 9:29am – I liked…..but Pete Seeger wrote those lyrics and sang the original. Just saying.
About 8/10,000 cruise ship passengers today. Where do they sit in town? Where are the shade trees and where are the public conveniences. CIG has only known about this for 20/30 years.
Why don’t we start at the other end of the problem and reduce emissions. Reduce traffic with a reliable, clean public transport system with drivers that meet a standard and can actually drive, work from home for office workers that can, safe bicycle lanes, so much can be done but all we hear is cheap talk.
Per IPCC AR4, AR5, and AR6, the easiest, most impactful, necessary GHG mitigator is to shift our diets away from unhealthy preoccupation with meat and dairy. Hundreds of plant-based mentions in this year’s report. Even media editorial boards are scared to report truthfully on these sensible recommendations.
You might be right but telling people what to eat is a lot harder than building a public transport system (which is apparently very hard).
Handing money to people without demonstrating need and allowing closure of a street in town that increases congestion and provides no other tangible benefit is apparently much easier.
I’ve been arguing with people about this very topic for years. people need to be educated, unfortunately lots are brainwashed to believe that we need all of this processed meats/dairy and processed foods to live good. too many fast food place, look at the drive thorough que at Bk on a nightly basis, they should be queuing up to read books. I’ve never seen so many fat people, after America I must say Cayman is absolutely full of unhealthy obese people, just look at our government!
Hold tight. We have to eat rabbit food now because governments and mega corps around the world can’t get their own s*iht together? Why don’t they stop destroying the very environment keeping us alive instead of giving them the idea that they can tell us what we can or can’t eat?
The realities of industrial farming in 2022 are that the production inputs of meat of dairy account for more GHG emissions than the entire fossil fuel transport emissions combined, while also cutting down the forests and jungles required to absorb the C02. The methane component is 4x more warming than C02, but with a much shorter half-life of 15-20 years. That CH3 then eventually converts to C02 and sticks around for 20,000 years. it’s also killing us from the inside. About 7 years ago, the WHO’s IARC put processed meat and bacon into the type 1 carcinogens, the same category as cigarettes and asbestos, and few even flinched.
If you actually did some research you would see that your not a carnivore by nature but by ”once upon a time” scarcity and at the very least due to ”location” forget about what the bible says or what we used to do. In todays world ethically and thanks to technology there is no need for this amount of suffering (mostly the animals, people too due to health issues) and meat consumption as Anonymous says:
07/04/2022 at 8:56 am said. its terrible for our planet. Your in denial, in 20,30 years time there will be hardly any more meat on our supermarket shelves, look at vegan products are slowly taking over this is due to people waking up to see how bad our current ways are, your ”rabbit food” comment shows how uneducated on the subject you are and please don’t start with comments about B12 deficiency. Have you actually realized and seen that 99% of the animals you eat actually eat plants only?? And what does organic meat packages say?? ”raised on green pastures, only eating the best grass”?? you really cant win this argument you know that
the main reason the environment is being destroyed is because of people like you, keep eating meat and animal products. the governments have been telling you what to eat and drink for years you’ll be a fool to think your making your own choice. calling it rabbit food shows how brainwashed you are, all and more nutriments can be gained by a plant based diet. where you think the animals you eat get their protein from? from plants and from the meat industry pumping them with supplements and antibiotics . try a plant based diet for a week , eat from bread and chocolate if your too lazy to try cooking it yourself and see how much your health will improve.
How about ya’ll go graze a field before you think about convincing someone over the internet that they’re the main reason for climate change without acknowledging the idustrial era we are in. Bunch of fools.
The racial-cleansing aspects behind fast food and location selection is particularly evil.
https://www.theyretryingtokillus.com
Referenced Fact Sheet:
https://www.cowspiracy.com/facts
There is a whole “park” off prospect dr that could be filled with trees. Nice shade for kids to play under and also to shade the measly toys for them to play on.
There is also many houses around island that would gladly take a few free trees to shade their homes. Maybe work on a tree giving program island wide??
Also, plant more mangroves where they have been taken from areas that haven’t been developed but have been cleared for no reason.
Do you mean the Sir Alden Park? Finally getting those collapsed cabana’s back up but wonder who is footing the bill for that???
If they plant this kind of sticks…aka “trees”, they waste time and resources. Aren’t there real, climate appropriate, fast growing and resilient trees to plant?
For starters, this stick will need stakes and ties.
Development for whom ? For expats to build more to import more poverty, to pay 4:50 per hour and say plus tips and become billionaires ( tips don’t come from the employers it comes from the guest) so the employers dont pay the minimum wages. Government should be ashamed of themselves making it that Hotels/Restaurants dont have to pay the 6 dollars p h minimum wages.
I don’t know but nannies that have been treated poorly here seem to always work for local civil servants.
CNS – I know that the 2 of you work very very hard with limited resources so this comment is not in any way a criticism – but it would have been perfect if this well written article had 2 photos – the current one with the single tree being planted plus a photo of the large tracts of destruction where PACT decisions have resulted in the death of hundreds of mature trees and the ‘relocation’ of the topsoil elsewhere. If there is a way to send photos maybe readers can send some.
CNS: There’s a link to contact us in the menu bar and we welcome any relevant photos from readers. But you are right, we really don’t have the manpower to do everything we’d like to do. Many thanks for your kind words and we appreciate the feedback.
PACT record on the environment – 12 trees planted for a photo op – and in the District of North Side at the infamous ‘Topsoil-gate’ zone of destruction, hundreds if not thousands of mature trees bull dozed and removed. After that for good measure they removed all the topsoil, (got to look after family and friends), to ensure that nothing grows back for thousands of years. PACT is taking care of the environment.
How loud do we need to yell to be heard! Let’s rip acres of land and destroy the habitat then plant “a” tree. CIG has the power to change the laws on how land is being cleared. All talk and no action.
It’s like adding 3 drops of water into an emptying bucket to quench the thirsty and draining it to wash a car, and, and, Mr Premier is wringing a sponge for those still left needing a drink 🌲 🧽
Call Guy Harvey and RBC, they can print some fast-fashion tshirts and tote bags to commemorate the ironies!
really ? – tote bags are so post-shizz,
How about we start planting trees in the centre medians and along the verges of all the main roads? Try and put back something to replace the thousands of trees that were removed to build and now currently expand the roads. How about more trees along the roads to cool the asphalt and hence reduce the heat sink effect. How about more trees along the road to absorb the CO2 emissions from our vehicles. How about trees for aesthetics while we’re sitting in traffic morning and evening. How about mass planting trees to replace what government is destroying to try and lead by example.
Like all the ones Dart planted in the medians and verges they constructed?
Trees in urban areas are a great asset to the environment, provide nice vistas, and a respite from the fire in the sky that could and should power the island.
DART gets it. The trees and other vegetation that the company plants and maintains are terrific.
Let’s join them and encourage more green spaces!
Lets all bow to the great Dart master!
Assistant Iguana Warden….ROTFLMFAO.
Wayne Panton is a joke.
GREENWASHING 101
GREENLIGHTING
This is Cayman’s prime example of greenwashing. Another 12 trees and another photo-op for professional back patters. Why don’t the same sorry bunch stage a photo-op next to the bulldozers mowing down trees at a rate of 10,000 to 1 planted?
The Premier means well. But he is all alone in PACT hell. The rest of them (including PPM) are hell bent on flattening the place.
No excuses
Photo op PR. Move along. Pour the concrete, bobos. Its time to make $$$.
We need the development badly. Let Mr. Gene get his hospital going and of course Mr. Dart will get his project going. Look at all the great jobs that will be happening! Love you all!
Stop depending on Wayne to be the change he has already lost his cajoneys