Science & Nature
‘Charles’ the blue iguana released into the wild
(CNS): The National Trust for the Cayman Islands (NTCI) and Blue Iguana Conservation (BIC) have released a blue iguana named Charles into the Colliers Wilderness Reserve in East End. The endangered blue was set free just before the third annual International Blue Iguana Day when over 50 countries celebrate Grand Cayman’s endemic iguana.
Radar part en route just weeks before storm season
(CNS): Just three weeks out from the start of what experts say is a difficult Atlantic hurricane season to predict, a part needed to restore service to the Kearney Gomez Doppler Radar is finally on its way to the Cayman Islands from the manufacturer in Germany. It is expected to arrive on-island later this month. […]
Expert secures UK cash to conserve ghost orchid
(CNS): The critically endangered endemic ghost orchid has been given a fighting chance against extinction after local conservationist Christine Rose-Smyth, the former chair of the National Conservation Council, secured funding from the UK. A Darwin Plus Local grant will be used to develop an ex situ propagation programme for the ethereal and elusive orchid that […]
Student activists say road risks their future
(CNS): The youth-led environmental organisation Protect Our Future is urging government leaders to complete the environmental impact assessment on the East-West Arterial extension before moving forward. Cayman’s youngest environmental activists pointed out that this type of assessment ahead of development in sensitive areas is critical, and it will be their generation that reaps the consequences […]
NT warns of ‘catastrophic’ risks of EWA without EIA
(CNS): Calling on the government to continue with the environmental impact assessment for the whole of the East-West Arterial Road extension, the National Trust for the Cayman Islands has joined a number of non-profits warning of “catastrophic flooding of communities south of the road, the slow drying out of the mangroves to the north of […]
Climate policy calls for significant action and investment
(CNS): A draft of the long-awaited Climate Change Policy outlining the interventions needed over the next 17 years to ensure a climate-resilient Cayman Islands has finally been published and is now open for public consultation. The comprehensive document outlines a significant amount of work and investment and shows that extensive adaptations are needed in order […]
Final ToR guiding road EIA includes public views
(CNS): The final terms of reference (ToR) forming the basis for the increasingly controversial environmental impact assessment for the East-West Arterial extension have been published, and many of the public comments and questions submitted during the consultation process have been included. Some have also been taken on board as part of the final terms, including […]
Activists call on CIG not to stop road EIA
(CNS): A consortium of local environmental activists issued a statement Monday urging the Cayman Islands Government to follow the lawful and scientific process before starting work on the East-West Arterial extension. The six non-profit organisations raised numerous concerns about proposals by PACT to stop the environmental impact assessment (EIA) for part of the road.
Dredging NS for cheap fill ‘unjustifiable’, says DoE
(CNS): The request by a speculative developer of a potential private retirement home to dredge the North Sound seabed to get cheap fill for the project should be rejected, the Department of Environment has urged in a review of the coastal works application. Technical experts detailed the environmental disaster such dredging would cause and said […]
Another Earth Day passes with no climate policy
(CNS): With global carbon emissions still climbing on Earth Day 2023, few governments around the world are taking the climate crisis as seriously as they need to, while here in the Cayman Islands, another Earth Day passed with no climate change policy in place. The PACT Government has still failed to make any changes to […]
Cayman Islands to get storm surge map
(CNS): The Cayman Islands has been given priority consideration for storm surge modelling under a United States Agency for International Development (USAID) programme to advance early warnings of storm surges and strengthen preparedness across the Caribbean. The programme will develop maps to assess and visualise storm surge risk, as well as strengthen capacity for early […]
