The upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference in Brazil must deliver a just outcome for small island states in the Caribbean and further abroad, Virgin Islands Special Envoy Benito Wheatley …
August 19, 2025
July 24, 2025
EDITORIAL: High and dry in storm season
We are dismayed that the Virgin Islands appears to be facing at least two more hurricane seasons without the long-promised National Emergency Operations Centre building in McNamara. A purpose-built NEOC …
May 12, 2025
After a decade of delays, climate fund could soon get millions
Efforts to tackle climate change in the territory may soon be eligible for long-delayed funding from a pot that has grown to almost $6 million. After sitting empty for a …
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April 15, 2025
17 named storms forecasted
After forecasters predicted above-average storm activity this year, the Department of Disaster Management is urging residents to prepare early for the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season. Citing warm sea-surface temperatures as …
December 16, 2024
FROM THE ARCHIVES, 2017: Down, but not out
On June 7, The BVI Beacon turned 40. To celebrate, it is re-publishing some of the biggest stories from its archives over the past four decades. The article below was …
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December 6, 2024
Record-setting storm season ends
The six-month Atlantic Hurricane Season officially ended on Saturday after setting at least two records and bringing an above-average number of storms for the ninth year in a row. But …
November 19, 2024
EDITORIAL: Virgin Islands should expect the worst from Trump presidency
It has been said that when the United States sneezes, the whole world catches a cold. We fear much worse than a proverbial cold for the Virgin Islands and the …
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September 30, 2024
EDITORIAL: Fund the climate fund now
Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley is right to seek international funding to help the territory adapt to climate change. But if he wants to be taken seriously abroad, he must …
April 22, 2024
Residents urged to renew travel documents early
With the summer holidays and another hurricane season approaching, residents were urged this week to renew their passports and other documents in a timely manner to prevent travel interruptions. Registrar …
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December 18, 2023
EDITORIAL: Coral die-off is a crisis for the Virgin Islands
An environmental disaster is unfolding before our eyes, but it is receiving far too little attention and response. Historic heat waves this summer are causing a massive coral bleaching event …
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December 11, 2023
EDITORIAL: COP28 a big deal for Virgin Islands
What happened in Dubai this month at the United Nations Climate Change Conference won’t stay in Dubai. It will have wide-ranging ramifications for the Virgin Islands and the wider Caribbean …
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April 28, 2023
Six Atlantic hurricanes predicted this year
Around 13 named storms, including six hurricanes, are likely to form this year during the Atlantic Hurricane Season, according to recent predictions by meteorologist Dr. Philip Klotzbach of the Tropical …
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January 1, 2023
New emergency app to launch in 2023
As part of efforts to protect the public from hurricanes and other disasters, the Department of Disaster Management is developing an enhanced emergency alerting app that is scheduled to launch …
December 9, 2021
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 …
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February 10, 2020
Vulnerable Sea Cows Bay plans for safety
Sea Cows Bay is the target of renewed disaster-preparation efforts spurred by a report from the BVI Red Cross, which aims to help residents identify what risks they face and …
December 23, 2019
Slow progress at climate talks bodes ill for Virgin Islands
MADRID — No Virgin Islands delegation took part in the negotiations at the United Nations Climate Change Conference this month in Madrid, but decisions made as the fractious two-week meeting …
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October 3, 2019
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 …
July 9, 2019
EDITORIAL: Government is dropping the ball on climate change
The new government’s bumbling on climate change is endangering the territory’s future. On April 24, the Cabinet decided to revoke the membership of the Climate Change Trust Fund board, a …
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April 20, 2018
Islands Adrift: As climate warms, Caribbean ill-prepared
PUERTO RICO CENTER FOR INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM — Dinelle Henley fears for her native Cane Garden Bay, one of the most iconic and pristine beaches of the Caribbean. Like much of the …
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