Recently three of our members went around the community in Grand Cayman to learn how local farmers and fisherman feel about buying local, and why they choose to support themselves off these careers.
INTERVIEW WITH FARMERS AND FISHERMAN
FARMER
Why do you farm?
I do it for a living.
Is that the only reason why?
The reason why is because it’s my living, I find myself in that position so I ---just keep it at that. And then I love it.
What do you grow and where?
I grow the tough stuff in North Side: plantain, banana, mango, avocados, coconuts, passion fruit, star fruit. Everything that can grow, watermelon, cucumbers. All of those stuff.
How is farming in Cayman?
It’s good
Have you farmed anywhere else?
No
Do you think it’s helpful to the environment?
Yeah, yeah for real. That’s one thing why I do it. Very helpful and people love it.
What’s your opinion on imported produce compared to locally grown produce?
Well with me not burning the fire but I straight local. Listen. Less chemical, yeah know, less everything, and when it local it real. It’s real, don’t easily spoil you get the full 100. You buy, you can actually eat the skin. Yeah, yeah, for real. Everything is good about it, ripe, green it is there.
Would you say it’s healthier?
Yeah it healthier, keep you better, make you live longer, less sickness and everything
FISHERMAN
What are the benefits of local fishing rather than importing fish
Well we really like the local fish but um as we at the commercial boat we got to use those commercial boat b/c the local fisherman cannot get the volume of fish to support the market so we have to up those commercial boats to bring back snappers and groupers. Especially for the local men they won’t pick up that quality of big groupers. So the commercial boats will bring that volume of fish
Do you think local fish are more fresh than commercially brought in fish?
They’re all fresh, with the commercial fishing boats they carry tons of ice and once the fish are caught and come out of the water they go straight into the ice. They aren’t sitting on the deck waiting for bacteria, the fish keep for a long period of time. The suppliers, the hotel, supermarket, local people if the fish weren’t fresh we wouldn’t have the market b/c people want fresh fish.
INTERVIEW WITH NATHAN DACK: THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OFFICER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT
Has Cayman's ecological footprint (the calculated land and water area in Cayman needed to produce the resources we use and absorb the waste we generate) and/or bio-capacity (the biologically productive area available to provide Cayman with the resources) been calculated, either by the Department of Environment or another reputable group?
Not as far as we are aware. The calculation of an ecological footprint is quite difficult to perform in a representative way in the case of the Cayman Islands as there is such a significant difference between our ecological footprint and bio-capacity of the islands. We do however have data on the carbon footprint of Cayman meaning we are able to make comparisons with other countries in terms of our population's impact on the environment. This relates strongly to an ecological footprint although it is an output based on carbon emissions rather than area used to provide resources.
If so has the average ecological footprint (the calculated land and water area needed to produce the resources and absorb the wastes for and average person's lifestyle in Cayman) of an individual been estimated?
No this has not been done for the average individual however the carbon footprint of the county can be calculated per person to allow us to compare the average impact of a Cayman resident with those of other countries. In 2011 the Cayman Islands has the 24th highest carbon emissions per person of the nearly 200 countries that provided data in a global assessment.
A little over 80% of the world's energy comes form fossil fuels. How does Cayman compare? What are the other methods of producing energy on Cayman?
Generally Cayman is behind the trend on renewable energy implementation. The majority of our electrical energy is produced using diesel powered generators and only very few electrical vehicles are used. There are currently no commercial renewable energy installations on the grid in Cayman. However, there have been efforts in recent years to implement greater renewable energy electricity generation with schemes like solar installations on commercial buildings and CORE (Consumer Owned Renewable Energy) programme implemented to allow homeowners to 'sell' energy generated by renewable means back to CUC. The recent figures for CORE energy production from August 2014 to August 2015 show an average of 0.24% renewable energy use.
Do construction companies to conduct environmental impact studies before beginning work, such as for the Kimpton Hotel? If so, how rigorous are those studies? Are there any tangible advantages for construction companies of being 'eco-friendly' while building?
Prior to any construction the developer must receive planning permission. For certain developments, such as hotels, the DoE is consulted on the environmental impact of the proposals. The DoE conduct a review of the impacts of the proposal and make recommendation regarding the decision to approve or deny the application or to suggest measures that can be taken to mitigate environmental impact. Under the new National Conservation Law, which will be fully implemented in a few month, certain large scale developments, such as extensive residential or retail developments, airports, marinas, canals etc. are required to undertake an Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs). An EIA is a comprehensive assessment of the environmental and social impacts of proposed development, they are a widely regarded as a useful tool representing environment considerations in a decision making process. The Kimpton hotel was the subject of a planning review, which involved the consultation of the DoE, but not an EIA.
In regards to taking into account environmental issues when building or developing an area, there are definite advantages. Most sustainability concerns are met in the planning state when the choice of an area to develop, the clearance of an area, the choice of building materials and the layout of a development. If an area of land selected for development is natural habitat and the proposal is to clear the entire area and build a structure using materials with a high carbon footprint, the impact is going to be far worse than a development sited on previously man modified land, build around the existing natural features (such as trees and water bodies) using sustainably sourced building materials.
Sustainable development is defined as "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of the future generations to meet their own needs." Are there sustainable projects being implemented or planned in Cayman, for example waste recycling, eco-friendly energy production or a sustainable form of public transportation, to ensure that our country is preserved and maintained for future generations?
We are far from being a sustainable society due to our use of natural resources through increased consumption and population growth; in comparison to the rest of the first world the Cayman Islands also lag far behind our uptake of environmentally conscious policies and infrastructures. However, there continues to be increasing implementation of sustainable practices in Cayman. The government is currently undertaking a long awaited and review of waste management practices which will hopefully lead to significant diversion of waste from landfilling by increasing recycling and other alternative solutions. We are also beginning to see an increased recycling and other alternative solutions. We are also beginning to see an increasing interest in renewable energy with recent proposals for commercial scale solar farms and an Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion facility. I would also add that the preservation of our natural habitats across Cayman is an additional concern regarding the sustainability of the Islands. Greater use of previously developed land, rather than virgin habitats, should be encouraged.
Is environment and eco-friendly awareness being spread across Cayman? If so, how? Where can people go to get more information on this?
The DoE uses its website and social media to spread information on environmental issues, there are also a number of other regular media outlets for environmental issues such as Environment Breaks on Day Break with Cayman27. There are also a number of organizations and social media groups that do a great deal to spread environmental awareness in Cayman.
Cayman imports most of its food, reducing food miles is an excellent way to reduce our carbon emissions. To what extent is locally grown and produced food aiding in the reduction of food miles? How can we as consumers help? What could companies do to ensure that local produce is forefront in stores and not being undercut by imported equivalents?
The carbon footprint of food is a significant factor contributing to our impact as a population. There has been an increase in the production and sale of locally produced food and drinks recently in Cayman, oracularly with the increased in farmers markets and local produce sections in supermarkets. Although it is difficult to calculate the reduction in the carbon footprint of food, because of the increase in the carbon footprint of the resources (such as water) used to produce it, it is generally understood that locally produced is better.
Unfortunately a lot of people prioritize convenience over environmental protection. How can we convince the Cayman community to take part in the efforts to reduce Cayman's ecological footprint and what can we, as individuals, do to help?
The general trend for communities is for an increasing concern for environmental issues. The most effective way to encourage people to make environmental issues a priority is to make the relevant on a local scale. This is often done in Cayman for conservation issues as we have many rich ecosystems around us that we rely heavily on culturally and for our tourism and so on. The issues of sustainability, in our development of the Islands and also our impact on the global environment through our carbon emissions should be brought to people's attention in the same way. It is also important for government to encourage sustainability through policies and legislation as is the case around the world.
THANK YOU MR. DACK FOR PARTICIPATING IN OUR INTERVIEW!
INTERVIEW WITH FARMERS AND FISHERMAN
FARMER
Why do you farm?
I do it for a living.
Is that the only reason why?
The reason why is because it’s my living, I find myself in that position so I ---just keep it at that. And then I love it.
What do you grow and where?
I grow the tough stuff in North Side: plantain, banana, mango, avocados, coconuts, passion fruit, star fruit. Everything that can grow, watermelon, cucumbers. All of those stuff.
How is farming in Cayman?
It’s good
Have you farmed anywhere else?
No
Do you think it’s helpful to the environment?
Yeah, yeah for real. That’s one thing why I do it. Very helpful and people love it.
What’s your opinion on imported produce compared to locally grown produce?
Well with me not burning the fire but I straight local. Listen. Less chemical, yeah know, less everything, and when it local it real. It’s real, don’t easily spoil you get the full 100. You buy, you can actually eat the skin. Yeah, yeah, for real. Everything is good about it, ripe, green it is there.
Would you say it’s healthier?
Yeah it healthier, keep you better, make you live longer, less sickness and everything
FISHERMAN
What are the benefits of local fishing rather than importing fish
Well we really like the local fish but um as we at the commercial boat we got to use those commercial boat b/c the local fisherman cannot get the volume of fish to support the market so we have to up those commercial boats to bring back snappers and groupers. Especially for the local men they won’t pick up that quality of big groupers. So the commercial boats will bring that volume of fish
Do you think local fish are more fresh than commercially brought in fish?
They’re all fresh, with the commercial fishing boats they carry tons of ice and once the fish are caught and come out of the water they go straight into the ice. They aren’t sitting on the deck waiting for bacteria, the fish keep for a long period of time. The suppliers, the hotel, supermarket, local people if the fish weren’t fresh we wouldn’t have the market b/c people want fresh fish.
INTERVIEW WITH NATHAN DACK: THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OFFICER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT
Has Cayman's ecological footprint (the calculated land and water area in Cayman needed to produce the resources we use and absorb the waste we generate) and/or bio-capacity (the biologically productive area available to provide Cayman with the resources) been calculated, either by the Department of Environment or another reputable group?
Not as far as we are aware. The calculation of an ecological footprint is quite difficult to perform in a representative way in the case of the Cayman Islands as there is such a significant difference between our ecological footprint and bio-capacity of the islands. We do however have data on the carbon footprint of Cayman meaning we are able to make comparisons with other countries in terms of our population's impact on the environment. This relates strongly to an ecological footprint although it is an output based on carbon emissions rather than area used to provide resources.
If so has the average ecological footprint (the calculated land and water area needed to produce the resources and absorb the wastes for and average person's lifestyle in Cayman) of an individual been estimated?
No this has not been done for the average individual however the carbon footprint of the county can be calculated per person to allow us to compare the average impact of a Cayman resident with those of other countries. In 2011 the Cayman Islands has the 24th highest carbon emissions per person of the nearly 200 countries that provided data in a global assessment.
A little over 80% of the world's energy comes form fossil fuels. How does Cayman compare? What are the other methods of producing energy on Cayman?
Generally Cayman is behind the trend on renewable energy implementation. The majority of our electrical energy is produced using diesel powered generators and only very few electrical vehicles are used. There are currently no commercial renewable energy installations on the grid in Cayman. However, there have been efforts in recent years to implement greater renewable energy electricity generation with schemes like solar installations on commercial buildings and CORE (Consumer Owned Renewable Energy) programme implemented to allow homeowners to 'sell' energy generated by renewable means back to CUC. The recent figures for CORE energy production from August 2014 to August 2015 show an average of 0.24% renewable energy use.
Do construction companies to conduct environmental impact studies before beginning work, such as for the Kimpton Hotel? If so, how rigorous are those studies? Are there any tangible advantages for construction companies of being 'eco-friendly' while building?
Prior to any construction the developer must receive planning permission. For certain developments, such as hotels, the DoE is consulted on the environmental impact of the proposals. The DoE conduct a review of the impacts of the proposal and make recommendation regarding the decision to approve or deny the application or to suggest measures that can be taken to mitigate environmental impact. Under the new National Conservation Law, which will be fully implemented in a few month, certain large scale developments, such as extensive residential or retail developments, airports, marinas, canals etc. are required to undertake an Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs). An EIA is a comprehensive assessment of the environmental and social impacts of proposed development, they are a widely regarded as a useful tool representing environment considerations in a decision making process. The Kimpton hotel was the subject of a planning review, which involved the consultation of the DoE, but not an EIA.
In regards to taking into account environmental issues when building or developing an area, there are definite advantages. Most sustainability concerns are met in the planning state when the choice of an area to develop, the clearance of an area, the choice of building materials and the layout of a development. If an area of land selected for development is natural habitat and the proposal is to clear the entire area and build a structure using materials with a high carbon footprint, the impact is going to be far worse than a development sited on previously man modified land, build around the existing natural features (such as trees and water bodies) using sustainably sourced building materials.
Sustainable development is defined as "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of the future generations to meet their own needs." Are there sustainable projects being implemented or planned in Cayman, for example waste recycling, eco-friendly energy production or a sustainable form of public transportation, to ensure that our country is preserved and maintained for future generations?
We are far from being a sustainable society due to our use of natural resources through increased consumption and population growth; in comparison to the rest of the first world the Cayman Islands also lag far behind our uptake of environmentally conscious policies and infrastructures. However, there continues to be increasing implementation of sustainable practices in Cayman. The government is currently undertaking a long awaited and review of waste management practices which will hopefully lead to significant diversion of waste from landfilling by increasing recycling and other alternative solutions. We are also beginning to see an increased recycling and other alternative solutions. We are also beginning to see an increasing interest in renewable energy with recent proposals for commercial scale solar farms and an Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion facility. I would also add that the preservation of our natural habitats across Cayman is an additional concern regarding the sustainability of the Islands. Greater use of previously developed land, rather than virgin habitats, should be encouraged.
Is environment and eco-friendly awareness being spread across Cayman? If so, how? Where can people go to get more information on this?
The DoE uses its website and social media to spread information on environmental issues, there are also a number of other regular media outlets for environmental issues such as Environment Breaks on Day Break with Cayman27. There are also a number of organizations and social media groups that do a great deal to spread environmental awareness in Cayman.
Cayman imports most of its food, reducing food miles is an excellent way to reduce our carbon emissions. To what extent is locally grown and produced food aiding in the reduction of food miles? How can we as consumers help? What could companies do to ensure that local produce is forefront in stores and not being undercut by imported equivalents?
The carbon footprint of food is a significant factor contributing to our impact as a population. There has been an increase in the production and sale of locally produced food and drinks recently in Cayman, oracularly with the increased in farmers markets and local produce sections in supermarkets. Although it is difficult to calculate the reduction in the carbon footprint of food, because of the increase in the carbon footprint of the resources (such as water) used to produce it, it is generally understood that locally produced is better.
Unfortunately a lot of people prioritize convenience over environmental protection. How can we convince the Cayman community to take part in the efforts to reduce Cayman's ecological footprint and what can we, as individuals, do to help?
The general trend for communities is for an increasing concern for environmental issues. The most effective way to encourage people to make environmental issues a priority is to make the relevant on a local scale. This is often done in Cayman for conservation issues as we have many rich ecosystems around us that we rely heavily on culturally and for our tourism and so on. The issues of sustainability, in our development of the Islands and also our impact on the global environment through our carbon emissions should be brought to people's attention in the same way. It is also important for government to encourage sustainability through policies and legislation as is the case around the world.
THANK YOU MR. DACK FOR PARTICIPATING IN OUR INTERVIEW!