Premier warns of bigger storms due to climate change
(CNS): Climate change is not a distant projection but an ongoing reality that is affecting many aspects of our lives, and as hurricane season opened on Thursday, Premier Wayne Panton urged people to be vigilant and prepared, given the potential for much more intense storms. Scientific projections suggest that strong hurricanes will become more commonplace in the Caribbean.
“We cannot keep ignoring the risks of climate change to our communities, our economy or our environment,” the premier said in his national message marking the start of the 2023 season. “Based on local, regional and global data, we know that there is strong evidence for an increase in the frequency and intensity of tropical cyclones since the 1970s in the North Atlantic.”
And this is just one of the climate impacts our islands are facing. “Local tide gauge data shows sea level is rising. Local rainfall data suggests fewer but more severe rain events. Local temperature data shows our islands are about 2.2 degrees Celsius hotter than forty years ago,” Panton told the country.
“The anecdotal evidence confirms these data points. Based on a survey the Ministry of Sustainability and Climate Resiliency conducted last year to evaluate local knowledge, attitudes and practices towards climate change – the majority of respondents reported noticing changes to local temperatures, rain patterns, storms, coastal erosion and plant growth,” he added.
Over the next six months, every individual, family, business and community in the Cayman Islands must take steps to be prepared, stay vigilant, and look out for one another in times of need.
“We are one year closer to the twentieth anniversary of Hurricane Ivan, which devastated Grand Cayman in 2004, and later this year will mark the fifteenth anniversary of Hurricane Paloma, which severely impacted our Sister Islands,” he said, warning that these so-called ‘once in a lifetime’ storms are becoming more frequent.
“Over the past five years, hurricanes like Harvey, Maria, Irma, Ida and Ian have wreaked havoc across our region. Even when our islands are spared a direct hit, we feel the effects on our bank accounts as insurance premiums continue to rise. And our brush with Grace in 2021 taught us that even a tropical storm can cause significant damage,” the premier stated.
Strong winds and rain pose significant threats during a hurricane situation, but the sea can be especially treacherous. “Even if your home is away from the high, crashing waves battering the coast, storm surge can cause severe, even life-threatening, flooding up to hundreds of yards inland,” the premier warned.
Panton urged everyone to download the free National Emergency Notification System (NENS) mobile app that allows Hazard Management to send emergency alerts by email, SMS text, or both. Following Hurricane Ian, the government also developed a new protocol for WhatsApp voice-note messages so official messages can be shared via WhatsApp to help people stay informed, especially when the situation is fluid and developing.
“The NENS app is a prime example of the many official sources of information you can safely rely on during an emergency situation,” Panton said, as he warned about the dangers of misinformation and not verifying information before sharing it. “We know how easily misinformation can spread during times of uncertainty. During a hurricane or other emergency situation, it is vital that you monitor official sources of information.”
He encouraged all residents to learn where their nearest hurricane shelter is and to devise a proactive plan to evacuate if their home is at risk, as he thanked the army of shelter volunteers who go through special training to ensure these essential facilities are able to provide safe shelter.
While Grand Cayman’s shelter numbers are very limited, Panton said that by the time we reach peak Hurricane Season in September this year, Hazard Management is planning to have thousands of additional shelter spaces available.
“In times of uncertainty, danger and need, we need strong, healthy and resilient communities more than ever,” he said. “So, Cayman, let’s be prepared. Let’s get our emergency supplies together, and let’s encourage our family, friends and neighbours to do the same. Let’s stay vigilant, monitoring official sources and verifying information before we pass it along. And let’s look out for one other. Do not wait until after disaster has struck to meet your neighbours or to find out who the elderly, disabled and vulnerable in your community are,” the premier added.
For new residents or those who need a reminder, the Hazard Management Cayman Islands website has all the information and resources needed to prepare for a severe weather event.
See the premier’s message on YouTube below:
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Category: Science & Nature, Weather
Pure propaganda just like the COVID jabs being safe and effective when they are/were neither. Wake up people. You are being brainwashed and manipulated.
Stop private planes coming in and then expand on that and show you are serious. Stop decimating the mangroves. Take care of the vulnerable on the island and actually help the people.
This man’s quest for power is a joke. All this crap about how he cares about the environment, yet when it gets down to actually doing something that will help the environment he won’t stand up to the likes of Jon, Jon, Kenneth, Jay and those who only care about getting re-elected. Even his precious Heather turned on him during the debate – but now we all know why #landbarroness. #LiningTheirPockets. Call an early election and vote these jokers out before its too late!
You forgot about Heather.
How will we manage the aftermath of a major hurricane?? The flooding along Shamrock Road east of Hurleys to Savannah was so bad last week after a few hours of heavy rainfall that traffic couldn’t move and yards were flooded. Is anyone else worried about how unprepared we are? And the designated shelters?? Nowhere near enough space if we have widespread evacuations.
Amazing what unfettered developments and alterations to natural drainage areas does.
Lots of rain coming this week. Batten down the hatches!
More flooding this week. Best wishes!
So do Bodden Town have a hurricane shelter fit for purpose and population yet? I mean, been waiting since Ivan so that’s down to all governments past and present I think. Whose people?
Did he write that while trawling at 60 mile bank?
So what steps is his government taking to combat climate change? Tearing up the last of our untouched mangroves for a road?
Removing more vegetation everywhere, adding to the carbon emissions and making the island hotter by the day.
They are doing a lot actually. They
only meet one week per year. Definitely cuts down on a lot of hot air that would otherwise be spewed if they met more often.
‘We cannot keep ignoring the risks of climate change…’
100% agree Premier Panton … and having analysed the situation carefully, my conclusion is that Cayman can demonstrate it is serious about climate change by extending the airport runway by 1900ft into North Sound so that we can accommodate larger planes and increase the volume of private planes coming to Cayman.
I would very much like to see the peer-reviewed empirical scientific evidence that “Based on local, regional and global data, we know that there is strong evidence for an increase in the frequency and intensity of tropical cyclones since the 1970s in the North Atlantic.” He KNOWs it. Well, that’s a mixed bag isn’t it? Premier Panton KNOWS that there is “strong evidence”. Is this science? Can truth be determined by consensus?
Are Solar Min/Max factored in? ENSO cycle? Since 1970s? That’s a hell of an odd data point, don’t you think?
I’m all for being prepared. I shudder when I hear of my buddies thinking that no matter what our fate is that CIG will fix us or help us or bail us out. I trust them to an extent also, however shouldn’t we be preparing on our own, independent of the government?
“The anecdotal evidence confirms these data points..” That is NOT science. It is further not science to set your experiments to confirm your hypotheses. Let us PLEASE clean up our waters, lands and conserve our resources. Let us move gently toward running the Cayman Islands on alternative energies and not diesel fuel. Let us not spend one single cent toward CO2 mitigation or any other boondoggle.
More trees, with less asphalt and concrete are a minimal investment towards CO2 mitigation, a cooler island and lower CUC bills.
Lovely thought, which I agree upon in principle, however consider what you are saying: You want concrete asphalt torn up and trees planted? Just more trees? These are actions that are either not realistic or have consequences that are barely measurable.
Clean up the dump. REALLY clean it up, not just cap over it to make it pretty. Establish REAL recycling. Provide governmental financial incentives for people to spend their hard-earned money on alternative energies. Establish grid-tie with CUC that isn’t a ripoff. Establish firm policies which support DOE and require EIS prior to each and every mass clearing of land. Protect the shoreline and the mangroves.
You know. REAL solutions, not just feelgood jingoes.
Anyone who rides a bike, walks or runs knows that when the road passes an area of thick bush and trees how the temperature drops. Keep replacing this with concrete and of course local temperature will rise. Concrete absorbs heat and radiates it – fact.
dont forget all the asphalt we are laying with no cover.
Always found the name ‘Island Paving’ funny. We pave islands.
“Manhattan is defined by its matrix of busy streets, towering buildings, bustling crowds, and (of course!) Central Park. In the summer, however, it’s also defined by its staggering heat. When the island of Manhattan faces an extreme “urban heat island” effect, Central Park’s 18,000 trees and 843 acres of paths, lawns, and woodlands offer a much-needed reprieve.
The urban heat island refers to an area of a city that faces much higher temperatures than its surroundings—creating an “island” of extreme heat. More concrete and less tree cover exacerbate this difference in temperature, which can vary by up to 16 degrees Fahrenheit at the same time of day depending on location. This is because hard, impervious surfaces (like paved roadways and empty rooftops) absorb, magnify, and slowly release heat throughout the course of a day, creating a warming cycle on city streets.”
https://www.centralparknyc.org/articles/how-central-park-cools-the-heat-island#:~:text=The%20urban%20heat%20island%20refers,of%20day%20depending%20on%20location.
Staggering how this man focuses on generally well known world view topics to divert the publics attention,from what Cayman actually needs to get done.
Does Wayne think we will all be impressed that he knows climate change is a threat?
Mr. Premier I think we have more to fear in our future from the impacts of your moronic Cabinet ministers.
I second that!
He doesn’t seem worried with that big boat in the water.
FACT: There haven been any patterns of “bigger storms” since we started recording hurricanes.
That’s a misinformed perspective. there is a body of research suggesting an increase in hurricane intensity over time. For instance, a 2020 study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that the likelihood of storms reaching major hurricane status has increased over recent decades, partially due to rising global sea surface temperatures.
The question is, what did you get out of making your “factual” comment? Are you lazy ignorant and determined to display that publicly or are you just a troll? Weird hobby either way.
True, and also the cost of damage caused by hurricanes has increased over time, but only because areas in the path of the hurricane are more built up, resulting in more to damage.
more waffle from wayne and no-plan-pact.
your failure and inaction over last 2 years on almost every issue facing cayman is staggering.
The Premier is warning us over weather???
I thought that was Kenny’s job as we are “his people” .
Love how he beats this drum without actually doing anything about it like most things.
But f*** the mangroves right Premier?!