Bahamas Eco-Forum

Oil Tanker Aground Off Clifton Pier

by Kevin Degenhard, executive director, Bahamas Humane Society

The oil tanker "FICUS" ran aground on the reef just off Clifton Pier on Wednesday (February 27) and Shell International Trading & Shipping Co Ltd sent a disaster preparedness team from London.

The tanker was delivering fuel oil to Nassau, and could clearly be seen from Clifton. Yesterday there were onshore winds of about 20mph and a choppy sea. Today is better with a light wind around 5mph and virtually no surf.

Freeport's 'Buyers' Unveil Industrial Strategies

by Larry Smith

The anticipated buyers of Freeport recently unveiled their proposed investment strategies, which include some major energy-related projects.

What is Sustainable Living?

"The future of The Bahamas depends on the development of a society that understands limits; conserves energy, water and other essential resources; and is a constituency for long term conservation and sustainability of the biodiversity of the islands.

"The natural resources of The Bahamas are our greatest asset and must be used sustainably for the benefit of future generations.  The education of Bahamians and visitors is the key to long term conservation success."

From the Bahamas National Trust 2007-2012 Strategic Plan

A Clean Tech Forum for Bahamians

by Larry Smith

At the recent Freedom 2030 renewable energy conference hosted by the Cape Eleuthera Institute, there were calls for a public forum of some kind to share information and news about clean technologies in the Bahamas.

The feeling was that a lot was happening, but little was known about it. Combining our efforts and sharing information on a variety of energy, recycling and sustainable development issues might help to move things along at a faster pace.

I proposed a web site to jump start this project. Initially, posts will be produced by me from info provided by you, the members of this list:

Ginny McKinney - Waste Not Ltd
William Bardelmeier - retired principal of Bardelmeier & Jones
Etoile Pinder - JCN/Dialogue
Richard Coulson - R C Capital
Mary Minzt - Long Island resident
John Hedden - Abaco resident
Anita Knowles - executive director, Abaco Friends of the Environment
Eric Carey - executive director, Bahamas National Trust
Dave Ralph - editor/publisher, the Abaconian
Mike Alexiou - principal architect, Alexiou & Associates
Keith Bishop - principal consultant, Islands by Design
Jack Kenworthy - CEO, Cape Systems Ltd
Jason Hayman - principal, Sail Nassau
Michael Moss - chairman, Broadcasting Corporation of the Bahamas
Doug Cotton - vice president Haley & Aldrich
Peter Andrews - principal, Bahamas Waste Ltd
Fred Gottlieb - chairman, Bahamas Electrcity Corporation
Frank Comito - executive director, Bahamas Hotel Association
Sam Duncombe - director, ReEarth
Petagay Hartman - Tiamo Resort, Andros
Oscar Spencer - Bahamas office, Inter-American Development Bank
Stuart Ray - Lyford Cay Foundation
Earl McPhee - Bahamas Ministry of Tourism
John Moyell - Clipper Group
Casuarina Mckinney - executive director, BREEF
Neil Sealey - publishing director, Media Enterprises Ltd

This is by no means an exhaustive list.

At some point, it would be useful to stage public meetings focused on a particular issue or technology, with speakers drawn from the group and its associates. Publicity from this would help with lobbying of the government and civic organisations.

This would be a low-cost, low-effort start-up that could go in a number of directions.

Your feedback is welcome.