The Paradox of Development - The Goat Island Debate

Photo: Jeremy Francis

Having had the pleasure of reading Wendy Townsend's article entitled "Jamaica Selling Put It's Paradise" I can endorse that she is right. Only I would have titled it "Jamaica for Sale". Every era or decade has a buzz word and you best believe Jamaica has logged  on to the concept of sustainable development. The concept of sustainable development purports that we must have the ability to meet the needs of the present while contributing to the needs of the future generations. However, it's one of those "throw around" terms we use when we need to sound like we know what we are talking about as it pertains to environmental matters. Ask us to put it in practice and voila you have the "Save Goat Islands" situation. Development happens right under our nose in Jamaica usually with very little or no public consultation. We most times have to fish for answers or go by the little information the powers that be put out in the media. Jamaica is known for her sunny weather, turquoise beaches and emerald landscape with diverse species of plants and animals. What's at stake this time you may ask? Our rich biodiversity and natural resources of birds, plants, reptiles and marine life on Goat Islands. Townsend quotes a very significant part of the Jamaican Constitution which states that the nation's citizens have

"the right to enjoy a healthy and productive environment free from threat of injury or damage from environmental abuse and degradation of the ecological heritage."

True as these word may be, it is a farce for those who know that there are two Jamaicas: those who live out out our exotic landscapes which is the storybook paradise painted for marketing purposes and those who live in the squalor of city life or absolute rural poverty who struggle to live amid an anemic economic climate and can't afford to see the exclusive piece of paradise that the others from St. Elsewhere get to see.  As a small island developing state, I too waive the flag for development but development at what cost or compromise? We live in an age when we are susceptible to the harsh effects of climate change based on our geographic determinant. Yet, we are in the process of selling our islands and clearing it for development that will wipe out an entire specy of iguana and destroy our mangroves which serves as a protective covering for our island. We should dare not blame this on the Chinese company in question and their proposal for building a megafreight seaport and industrial park. In fact, we should be engaging in public discourse with the powers that be here in JA about what kind of future Jamaica will have at the rate that we are selling our island and what we will say to our children about the decisions we made.

There is all this fancy smanchy talk about this development being a strategic economic move, to position our country as a major player, in the logistics hub given the proposed Panama Canal Expansion Project by 2015. Many Jamaicans are wondering if this is a recipe for a natural disaster waiting to happen. Lest we forget, there was Cricket World Cup, the building of a grand stadium which is now a white elephant and the promise of jobs to go with it that never came into fruition. Likewise, there are rumours of this expansive development creating jobs and other benefits for locals. However, do we have an educated population to propel this development should it pass the requisite tests? The answer is no!  There is no public education or training programme in place to educate our people who want to be involved about this development. "If we fail to plan, we must plan to fail." We are in dire need of all types of PLANNING in Jamaica and we will always be retrofitting if we don't take the time to get things right and move away from the "try a thing" mentality.

Thank God for Ms. Townsend's article on CNN because it has alerted our neighbours in the global village about the issue and raised red flags. At the same time, it is also sad because it took an international voice to speak on the issue for us to remember it was still brewing and was secretly dying out in the media. It always has to be the outside voice which we eventually pay attention and listen to.  I do hope because of this good sense will prevail and we do what is in the interest of the greater good.

Let us not cause blood to be on our hands by murdering an ecosystem that can cause an environmental catostrophe in the name of economic development. I charge the civilians to get involved and contribute to the review of the environmental impact assessment and cost benefit analysis. Policymakers, Environmentalists, NGOs, bloggers and everyone who is Jamaican and anyone need to stand up and be counted to help make the right decision about Goat Islands. In the end, the onus is on all the Jamaican people to not let their children and grandchildren lament over a decision that will affect their future. We are a part of the system of governance and we must demand accountability in the decision making process. If we fail to act, we will be living with regret because we didn't play our part in asking, "Will it be worth it?"

Check out Ms. Townsend's article @: http://edition.cnn.com/2014/07/02/opinion/townsend-jamaica-iguana/

Support the cause @: http://savegoatislands.org/

Bluefields

Photo: Jamille De-Andra Chin

Jamaica's South Coast is an untouched gem. The footprint of development has not traversed on this beautiful part of Jamaica. It is very virginal, rustic and picturesque like right out of a story book. I have fond memories of Bluefields from beach trips during my childhood and the water there is still pristine. The beauty of the horizon is just priceless.

Kingston City @ Night

Photo: Jamille De-Andra Chin

One of my favourite things about any city is the magical power of its bright lights. I've often said I moved from city to city and the truth of it all is I'm a city girl at heart. Don't get me wrong I love me some country but the Bright Light Theory is real! During the day there is the sound of traffic, vending in the streets, hustling, bustling and so much more urban fanfare. At night it's a different scene and mood. There's a street dance for everyday of the week, great restaurants to check out, and if you just want a breathtaking view of the city then go driving through the hills. The view reminds me of Christmas pepper lights and gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling. Kingston is a real beauty day or night but the night makes her come alive more. Let us not forget that her light shines brightest on the world map for being the capital of JA.     

The Smell of Green Country

Photo: Jamille De-Andra Chin

The sound of crickets and the smell of fresh air in the country is always so refreshing. The Jamaica flag has the colours of black, green and gold. The green represents the land. Indeed, our land is fertile and there is lush vegetation. From the vast cane fields to the glorious mountains, Jamaica is green from Negril to Morant Point. We do have idle land whereby development will occur and there's no bones about it. However, from an environmental perspective we should leave some places untouched. A green oasis is what the country side is. It represents a getaway from the hard, urban, concrete environment. There's just an undeniable mystique about driving through the country and being in the heart of nature. It makes us feel free and at peace with ourselves.

Silent Sunset

Photo: Jamille De-Andra Chin

Nestled on the backseat of a taxi rushing through the central business district to get to a  get together with friends...the window is rolled down and I'm searching for something interesting outside my window. With my driver speeding down a few avenues to get to my destination, the wind blowing through my hair...light and very airy. While in motion, I like to look above the tree tops. The sky is an interesting place where birds, kites, eagles and planes fly. But, nothing compares to the powerful feeling I get from seeing the merging of colours to make a masterpiece in the heavens.    

"Lovebird"

Photo: Jamille De-Andra Chin

'Twas once a symbol of national pride. The Lovedbird was indeed 'soaring to new heights'. A very beautiful bird in the sky she was and something truly Jamaican. The only real memory of this national bird now sits on the roundabout at the Norman Manley Airport.  The tale/tail of a broken winged bird. Someday we will have back a bird just as beautiful I hope. 

Silver Button

Photo: Jamille De-Andra Chin

The truth is summer hasn't even started yet. Technically, we are in the last part of spring but the temperature is blazing...but summer is nigh and to stay cool you better hang outside. The night sky doesn't have many stars but being under the shimmer of the moon is very enchanting. It is the light bulb of the sky that glows on the magical creatures of the night and sits gloriously above or roof tops. As a child, I used to wonder if I could just touch it...like get a ladder and climb my way to get there. In my later years, I think I can only do that in my dreams. Looking up at the moon is like looking at the sun in reverse. It is a thing of great thing of beauty and it's splendiforous to see it her shine in full. 

Suburbia's Urban Edge

Photo: Jamille De-Andra Chin

Today I was in Suburbia or for a better expression looking out at the Red Hills of Kingston. I remember going to school in Suburbia. It was a quiet neighbourhood that didn't like too much noise and any events that occurred at the school could be shut down by the relevant authorities if they made just one phone call. What's so interesting about this suburb in Kingston is that in my school days, I could count the number of houses on the hill. That was then...and now there is an urban explosion of palatial mansions on the hill. It is the Jamaican Dream to own a house on the hill but then what pressure does it put on the natural resources? We basically carve out our hillsides to secure housing and it makes me wonder if the hills can manage the stress it's place under in terms of land use and amenities. I really hope we are not building to the collapse of the hills which experiences vast land slippage during the rainy season.  Arguably, from the top down looking at the City of Kingston from the hills, it is one of the most green urban areas. The air quality may not be that great but most properties have a tree or two to help reduce air pollution. For future development, the relevant authorities must exercise some development control. Sure, we can build big houses on the hills, we just need to ensure that there are parameters for zoning in order to curb the population.   

Salem Nights

Photo: Jamille De-Andra Chin

Nobody likes being sick and wellness is a state of mind. I stood on the 9th floor of Cornwall Regional and let's just say the view makes for lots of life and living.  The clouds were something to behold. Orange clouds rolled by and burnt beautiful images which faded into shades of gold and pink as the sun dissipated. The city lights decorate the other side of the town of Montego Bay like pepper lights and the ocean has become tempered after a day's work of crashing waves on the seashore. Mount Salem is home to the only major hospital in the parish. Sure, other health facilities exist such as hopes, clinics and other private practice but I doubt that the others have views like Regional. The views and vistas from the hospital are anything but simply amazing. If you are driving down Howard Cooke Boulevard you can see Regional on Mount Salem above the city. Arguably, it could use a splash of colour to make its landmark brighter. I'd also like to think it's in a central location but that's relative because I live 13 miles outside Montego Bay. Either way, there are great views of the city and they should be applauded for tapping into the use of solar energy by using solar panels to power the hospital's operation. We are immensely blessed to live in the tropics where the sun shines almost everyday. Thus, they are operating more efficiently and contributing to energy savings. More government institutions and agencies need to follow suit  for the sake of the public purse and environmental stewardship.

Vitamin Sea

Photo: Jamille De-Andra Chin

One of my favourite things about being an island girl is going to the beach. Seeing water makes me happy and I find it very therapeutic to frolic in. Yes, many say Jamaica is more than the three S's: sun, sand and sea but frankly, the sea is a big part of our geographical determinant. We are a small island developing state surrounded by the Caribbean Sea whose waters reflect shades of turquoise, iridescent blue, sky blue, navy blue and sea green. Water is one of the most important elements in our tourism product. Jamaica is dubbed, the "Land of Wood and Water" and we boast of having one of the safest water supply systems in the world. Our greatest challenge as a country is that the best beaches are being sold to hotels as part of their vacation packages. Perhaps, this may be viewed as a new form of colonization by locals. The naked truth is that sooner rather than later locals won't have any free beaches they can go, to enjoy some recreational time. A Beach Control Act exists to enlighten citizens about their public rights to access beaches. However, we may question whose interest this act protects. When investors come to our shores, the shares of citizens are not taken into consideration. If there are any stakeholder analyses, it is just observing due process for the sake of formalities. Development occurs at any given cost and  the concerns of citizens are usually overlooked. Our beautiful beaches are a part of our cultural heritage and most treasured natural resources. As such, our citizenry need to get more engaged where our rights are concerned to advocate for local usage of our beaches.