As the Bahamas works to pass climate change legislation this week, the Virgin Islands has eyes in the room. Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration Minister Vincent Wheatley is in the …
EDITORIAL: Beach plans are a welcome step
Kudos to the government for finally starting work on a series of management plans for the territory’s beaches. These long-needed strategies can’t come soon enough. The importance of the Virgin …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Beach plans are a welcome step”
3 years later, climate fund board to be re-formed
After about three years of inactivity, the Climate Change Trust Fund board may soon be getting the members it needs to operate again. The body, which was created through the …
Continue reading “3 years later, climate fund board to be re-formed”
Women’s Day celebrates climate change leaders
The government placed a special focus on the progress women have made in the arenas of climate change and disaster risk management while celebrating International Women’s Day on March 8. …
Continue reading “Women’s Day celebrates climate change leaders”
Wheatley calls for focus on climate financing
Deputy Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley recently called for a focus on climate financing for the 14 associate member countries of the United Nations Economic Commission of Latin America and …
Continue reading “Wheatley calls for focus on climate financing”
Climate a focus as JMC wound down
At the conclusion of the Joint Ministerial Council meeting in London last week, Prince William made an appearance as world leaders turned their attention to how climate change is impacting …
EDITORIAL: Premier dropped the ball on climate change fund
As we’ve said before, the current government’s 2019 decision to revoke all six appointed members of the Climate Change Trust Fund board was a huge mistake. The failure to replace …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Premier dropped the ball on climate change fund”
Climate fund has never benefited from eco-levy
Less than two months after the Virgin Islands Party came to power in the February 2019 general election, all six private-sector members of the Climate Change Trust Fund board received …
Continue reading “Climate fund has never benefited from eco-levy”
EDITORIAL: A new day in the US — and the Caribbean
Change has come to the United States, and as usual this means change has come to the rest of the world as well. The election of Joe Biden and Kamala …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: A new day in the US — and the Caribbean”
VI wary as US heads to polls
An old adage proclaims, “When the United States sneezes, the world catches a cold.” As the country heads into a presidential election next Tuesday amid the Covid-19 pandemic, that wisdom …
EDITORIAL: Mangrove planting is great, but new laws needed too
Government and non-profit organisations deserve kudos for working together recently to launch a major mangrove restoration programme, but we fear their work will be for naught if comprehensive changes aren’t …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Mangrove planting is great, but new laws needed too”
VI to see mangrove restoration
The Virgin Islands will soon see a mangrove reforestation project designed to help mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change, according to Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration Minister Vincent Wheatley. …
EDITORIAL: COP25 a call to climate action
As a few large countries delayed needed action at the United Nations Climate Change Conference this month in Spain, people are dying from storms, rising sea levels, droughts and other …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: COP25 a call to climate action”
IAC advised to target climate disputes
The BVI International Arbitration Centre is well positioned to become a leader in handling disputes related to climate change, according to a London-based lawyer who delivered the third Dr. J. …
Sea rise likely to displace Caribbean towns
As sea levels continue to rise in the coming decades, entire communities in the Caribbean and elsewhere probably will be forced to relocate even if large nations keep the pledges …
Continue reading “Sea rise likely to displace Caribbean towns”
Constant PTSD in climate change age
NEW YORK CITY — With climate change expected to bring more frequent natural disasters to the Caribbean, mental health experts are changing the way they talk about post-traumatic stress disorder. …
VI, others take climate case to UN
NEW YORK CITY — At the United Nations on Friday, Benito Wheatley told world leaders about the Virgin Islands’ struggles to get help from abroad after it was devastated by …
UNDP pledges to up support to SIDS
NEW YORK CITY — In a formal briefing at the United Nations Climate Action Summit last Monday in New York City, UN Development Programme Administrator Achim Steiner addressed concerns expressed …
Island leaders announce climate goals at UN summit
NEW YORK CITY — As carbon emissions climb, global temperatures spike, oceans rise and storms grow more intense, the effects of climate change get closer to a course that scientists …
Continue reading “Island leaders announce climate goals at UN summit”
EDITORIAL: Dorian a tragic warning as global climate warms
Hurricane Dorian’s tragic destruction in the Bahamas was yet another dire warning to the entire Caribbean. Scientists expect climate change to bring more frequent and more intense storms to the …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Dorian a tragic warning as global climate warms”
In the BVI, Dorian brought 83 mph winds but no reports of major damage
When Hurricane Dorian brushed the Virgin Islands last week, it was still a Category 1 storm, and no major damage resulted, said Department of Disaster Management Director Sharleen DaBreo-Lettsome. However, …
Continue reading “In the BVI, Dorian brought 83 mph winds but no reports of major damage”
EDITORIAL: Eco-law could be a huge step forward
We are thrilled that the new government appears to be moving ahead with a badly needed law that could go a long way toward better protecting the territory’s increasingly beleaguered …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Eco-law could be a huge step forward”
15 years later, draft eco-law on the way
The government appears to be moving ahead with long-promised legislation that would dramatically reform the largely outdated patchwork of laws currently in place for protecting the territory’s delicate natural environment. …
Climate board still has no members
Government has not appointed any members to the Climate Change Trust Fund Board since the membership of all six previous appointees was revoked on April 24. Premier Andrew Fahie told …