How many tress have been planted?
In 2020 the government announced an ambitious and laudable goal to plant one million trees to help mitigate climate impact. Like most projects in Barbados there is little feedback on the progress. How many tress have been planted? What has been the level of participation by the public? Is the planting being executed using strategies to achieve the best outcomes? This is a subject matter covered on BU several times since our inception in 2007.
The blogmaster is painfully aware topics of this nature are not of high interest in a society where ‘drama’ associated with the salacious is a ‘best seller’. However, some of us will continue to promote awareness of these matters because it is the sensible thing for sensible people to do. Why a majority of Barbadians would be unconcerned about nurturing a healthy habitat is beyond the imagination.
The short video posted explains why an approach that creates a biodiversity garden is recommended, and, one that encourages actors in civil society and international partners to work together.
We already have a tree forest, or rather, ….. a bush forest.
River Tamarind, Gliricidia sepium, Guinea grass have overtaken our lands which once were likened to a garden.
Did you know sugar cane is a perennial crop, true true fact!!
It grows back on its own after harvesting.
@DAVID
Way back in the early days of BU, there was some concern on my part & “OTHERS” (after being in BIM) on a 3 month sabbatical stint; seeing the level of house building (with Town & Country Planning) not mandating that “DEVELOPERS” plant a certain amount of trees to offset the carbon footprint of bricks & mortar. roads & infrastructure…
At the time, I remarked that it seems like folks in the country were more intent on chopping down trees & planting houses!!!
I grew up with “MANGO TREES”, “SOURSOP TREES”, “GOLDEN APPLE TREES”, “BREADFRUIT TREES”, COCONUT TREES (#InAbundance), “MAMMY APPLE TREES”, “ACKEE TREES”, “PLUM TREES”, “SUGAR APPLE TREES”, “DOUNCE TREES” (scattered everywhere) – especially down in St Andrew, where my family originates – the likes of “FAT-PORK, CASHEWS, CHERRIES” – YOU NAME IT: it was all there!!!
Notwithstanding, the huge”MAHOGANY TREES”, “EVERGREENS et al & a host of other greenery that made that “GOOD & PLEASANT LAND” what it was…
What in “HELL” has happened???
@TB
Spot on with your observation then as it remains true now. We in the majority have little regard for the environment.
On another note, where is the advocacy from civil society on these kinds of matters? Is it only economic and political issues that provoke national concern?
The problem is with the people living in the pillboxes, they have no clue or interest in agriculture!!
… and those pillboxes consume far more water than sugar cane on a per acre basis.
How much irrigation of sugar cane have you ever seen in Barbados?
None.
Because besides being a perennial crop, it requires no irrigation.
Attempts to shift responsibility and accountability with laughable blame being placed almost solely on John Public will continue to fail.
While we agree that those who refuse to clean up beaches after picnics ; do not keep their immediate environs clean and still litter the streets, are not blameless, there is a bigger problem.
Water shortages, polluting the ocean with sewage that once overflowed into the streets, dismal maintenance of roads, schools , public buildings, failure to properly maintain lower income properties ( housing areas), the disappearance of shore lines due to the desire to have hotels on every possible beach space, continued failure of moving people because of a poorly managed public transportation system , continued debacle in garbage collection , have all contributed to a rapidly deteriorating physical environment.
We are slowly heading into socio-economic decline fatigue .The purblind will never connect the dots or what is called the domino effect.
PS: These clouds have been gathering for donkey years.
Whatever happened to transforming the Scotland district into acres of fruit trees?
Whatever happened to using the skin of the black belly sheep into locally produced high end bags and other products?
Whatever happened to all the ideas of using River tamarind for energy and so on?
I understand there are now some efforts to get a viable coconut industry going.
Breadfruit is now considered a “ wonder food” world wide;
Coconut water is everywhere; coconut oil is everywhere and in every thing : cosmetics.
We are at least fifty years behind.
This from a country that was exporting tamarind to India in the 60s or 70s.
We never understood that tamarind and it’s by products are used to produce glue etc.
Tamarind one of is most effective for producing fiber.
Tamarind is found on super shelves and dry coconuts as well, everywhere.
We always thought the world would wait on us. It didn’t!
Well said brotha’…
There was an announcement last week by UWI, Cave Hill that the 40 acres donated to the university by Eddie Edghill at Dukes will become operational early next year.
Yes, whatever happened to all those things? I have planted as many fruit trees as my property can take.
“But, let’s call a spade a spade, shall we? Football in Barbados, especially for the senior men’s national team, is in a state of organised chaos.”
“Organized chaos” … I am surprise at how frequently this phrase is appearing. It appears that many have come to the conclusion that despite all of the talk, promises, new guidelines and initiatives, our systems are out of control.
Organized chaos is deceptive. Some system may appear to be functioning as planned even when they are not completing their assigned task. Think of it as a train following the track but with the wrong destination. You will get somewhere but not where you plan to go; ending up in Miami instead of Boston is a failure and not a success.
Someone wanted to convince me that the wheels are still on and now he/she has to convince me that we still have steering.
My wife said to me back in 2016, “I am sorry but I will not live in B’dos (again)…”
We were on vacation and travelling around the island looking for areas to form “PERMACULTURE” that was virtually “NON-EXISTENT” elsewhere, but I think what got to her was the lack of biodiversity, ecology & what she grew up with as a young girl… Same can be said for myself as well…
The changes were too stark!!! Gone was what Emile Straker & T. Cunningham lyricized in the song by “THE MERRYMEN” – “BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL, BARBADOS – GEM OF THE CARIBBEAN SEA”…
Yes, there is beauty but the fossilization of “URBANIZATION” removed that “QUAINT” antithesis that many today still long for…
The “VISIONLESS” so-called “LEADERS” the nation was encumbered with since “THE DIPPER” have not clearly or vividly “MAPPED-OUT” a “ROADMAP” that was neither “SUSTAINABLE”, “TRANSFORMATIVE” or “GREEN” given that we only had 166 sq miles to play with and although a “Singaporean Green City” was not a likely possibility – they could have come “DAMN CLOSE”…
So we cast lots & the decision was to “MOVE” to #CostaRica permanently when we were both in “FULL” retirement (which is forthcoming in 18 months) – although, for her it would be early retirement (as I have already pulled up stumps since my late daughter’s passing) almost 12 years now!!!
As a St Andrew’s boy, (although not born & bred) – I have this nostalgic affinity to the land and I want to grow “FOOD”; plant “FRUIT” trees and created biodiverse habitats for other life forms but moreover, to accomodate my [3] grandsons who are coming of age & need that type of respite away from the “MADNESS” of so-called 1st-World-Countries!!!
When “WIFEY” & I looked at the cost of 5+ acres of land in St George (from someone we knew well) the cost was a cool – “HALF MIL”… (that US$) and when considering “LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION” given that our dream is to plant every fruit we could import (under the sun) creating a “Permaculture Paradise” AKA #FoodForest – the “RED TAPE” and the “AGGRO” (#NoPunIntended) was not worth the effort, time or expenditure!!!
So we shifted gears and subsequently looked at Costa Rica (WHERE GREENERY IS NOT JUST A LUXURY) but it is also a “NECESSITY” as mandated by “LAW”…
For the life of me, I don’t fathom what the fascination with “BRICKS & MORTAR” really is about when the monies we spend on “HOUSES” could buy 10 times the amount of land and develop a proverbial “BIO-EDENIC HOME”…
The said #HalfMil spent on 5+acress in BIM* gave us 50 acres in Costa Rica (with fruit trees of every description) including a myriad of “TAX-EXEMPTIONS” when the property becomes a viable business enterprise…
Included was residency leading to citizenship with an initial $150K investment in property/land/or business to enjoy the #PuraVidaLifestyle – something that is way outside of the #UnitedStatesOfBarbados!!!
For anyone who knows Costa Rica, the country is immeasurably beautiful with more “GREEN SPACES” than you could wave a stick at!!!
Until BIM changes it “FAKE LEADERS” who talk a good talk but walk a “CROOKED MILE” – then nothing “CHANGES” – a “DIFFERENT DAY BUT THE SAME ‘OLE CRAP (again & again) and the people lap it up…”
My virtual mentor #PeteKanaris from Florida provided the “INSPIRATION” for much of what I know & believe about creating “Green Spaces” & “FOOD FOREST” – emphasis primarily on Costa Rica and who knows, WIFEY* may one day have her own #YouTubeChannel showing her handiwork…
SEE WHY:
@TB
The focus of this government is to build 10,000 houses in 10 years. All agree improve accommodation is necessary but there is a level of innovation that is required.
William Skinner on November 20, 2023 at 9:32 AM said:
3 Votes
Whatever happened to transforming the Scotland district into acres of fruit trees?
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Last time I was hiking at Haggatts and Greenland the fruit trees were there but all overgrown with grass and weeds.
I was at Haggatts early last year and bought some grafted Julie mango trees.
Some of the land and trees looked cared.
I remember a time hiking when you could pick Bajam Cherries the size of plums and really sweet and juicy but sadly as time passed the trees were overgrown.
I must pass and see how down there looks now.
In the 60’s, Soil Conservation got plenty grants and good work was done. But once the money dried up, interest was lost.
Hiking in the period from 1988 to 2008 I knew down there well. I used to see all sorts of abandoned Caterpillar equipment, put down for lack of parts which cost real money.
Pretty sure those that needed parts for similar equipment scavenged the abandoned hulks.
In 2020 the government announced an ambitious and laudable goal to plant one million trees to help mitigate climate impact. Like most projects in Barbados there is little feedback on the progress. How many tress have been planted? What has been the level of participation by the public? Is the planting being executed using strategies to achieve the best outcomes?
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I SUSPECT PART OF A SCHEME/DECEPTION FRAUD TO GET GRANTS OR LOW INTEREST LOANS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY BY THE GLOBAL QUEEN OF BEGGING AND BORROWING.
William Skinner on November 20, 2023 at 8:22 AM said:
2 Votes
Attempts to shift responsibility and accountability with laughable blame being placed almost solely on John Public will continue to fail.
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I am basing my assertion that most Bajans don’t have any interest in or don’t know anything about agriculture on facts and evidence.
I uploaded a few aerial photos or what agriculture looked like in 1951 and compared the same areas with how they appear on Goole earth.
What was smallholder agriculture in 1951 is now pillboxes.
ohn on September 19, 2023 at 3:42 PM said:
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We actually once managed our land to be able to plant, harvest and process cane.
More small farmers had land back then than now and they too also grew cane.
The critical mass for sugar was placed at 30,000 acres. Below that it made no sense.
Take a look at what 1951 looked like vs today.
Here is the heart of St. George, Jordans Plantation and nearby smallholdings.
No one seems to realise that our agricultural output has dropped because small holders have been able to get permissions for change of use.
All, or mostly all small holders have cut up and sold off their land.
It makes no sense putting small areas of land into the hands of the “poor black man, ….. or white man”!!
We are screwed because our thinking is screwed.
https://imgur.com/6cEt1by
https://imgur.com/owxvCW3
In December 2022, “Minister of Environment and National Beautification Adrian Forde said he was aiming to have 20,000 trees planted in next year’s competition. He said this would greatly assist in Barbados’ goal to plant one million trees, as to date, only 420,000 trees have been planted.”
@enuff
How is that number broken down? Where and hat type of trees planted for e?
@ William Skinner on November 20, 2023 at 9:32 AM said:
“Coconut water is everywhere; coconut oil is everywhere and in every thing : cosmetics.
We are at least fifty years behind.
This from a country that was exporting tamarind to India in the 60s or 70s.
We never understood that tamarind and it’s by products are used to produce glue etc.
Tamarind one of is most effective for producing fiber.
Tamarind is found on super shelves and dry coconuts as well, everywhere.
We always thought the world would wait on us. It didn’t!”
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A very incisive contribution there, William!
How can a country- with such a long tradition of growing tamarind and coconuts- feel proud in importing these products from South East Asia and paid for in foreign currency borrowed from the IMF?
How does one ‘explain’ a people who find comfort in importing coconut water in tetra paks from Vietnam and tamarind in boxes from Thailand?
What does Barbados sell to those countries in return? Not even rum!
What next will be on the importation agenda to be paid for in borrowed foreign money?
Barbadensis Miller (Aloe vera) from Israel ‘taken from Barbados to kickstart their own multi-million dollar industry?
As the Bushman would say: ‘Only Bajan Brassbowls’!
David
You’re really grasping eh and your response reeks of desperation. What is the purpose for planting? Anyhow, if you did some research before posting there would be no need to goal shift. The same article that excerpt was pulled from mentions types and locations. I’m not Angela Cox!
A typical reply from you enuff. Citizens are sent to do research when simple questions are asked of this government. Why do t you plant trees along the highways? Why don’t you many tries on the parameters of schools and government premises interest of concrete and bush. Again the blogmaster ask, what trees have been planted where? We have a right to ask the government in case you need a reminder.
@ Enuff on November 21, 2023 at 11:15 AM:
(Quote):
David
You’re really grasping eh and your response reeks of desperation. What is the purpose for planting? Anyhow, if you did some research before posting there would be no need to goal shift.
(Unquote).
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So why not score in the open ‘goal’!!
Are you going to include in that pie-in-the sky “one million trees” the ‘wild saplings’ sprouting up on the demolished site on Bay Street?
How can your government talk about ‘beautifying Barbados’ and still allow for the erection of ghastly-looking palings to block out the natural windows to the sea with no ‘sight’ of the construction of long-promised hotels in view?
Isn’t that a true reflection of your government’s environmental eye for beauty?
Don’t you know that the sight of the Bajan sea has a more salubrious impact on the human psyche than Valium or Mount Gay or a fully loaded spliff?
David
As a non-traditional media outlet you must still be responsible. You could have done a simple Google search to at least see if any info was out there. But no, you set out to portray the project as a failure. How many you planted, what and where?
Milluh
As usual you’re making little to no sense–conflation, obfuscation etc as usual.
@Enuff
And as a non traditional participant you also should feel vested in the process to position counter positions.
@ Enuff on November 21, 2023 at 4:32 PM said:
“Milluh
As usual you’re making little to no sense–conflation, obfuscation etc as usual.”
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Man, “Mr. Big Enuff”, just stuff it!
Where is that Hyatt hotel you promised the people of the city?
Didn’t your Boss promise that hotel would be up and ready for a 2024 gala opening to provide the many jobs you’ guaranteed to them for the sale of their vote?
You mean to say the people of Barbados could have a new national stadium ( in addition to the 12 or so mini-stadia) before the first guest can enter the Bay street mausoleum called the ‘Hyatt Dreamworld’?
For all that the city people have seen to date is the Savvy on the “beach”.
Now where is that Hyatt pipedream?
Not even the first floor of the promised Hyatt erection to turn them on!
Does the blatant breaching of that promise to the city folks make sense to you, sans “verbosity”?
Or have the young people of the City been truly fc**uk up their behind(s) without even the application of some KY jelly?
Or is it just a figment of your imagination just like the others still concealed in that Big red Bag?
We really need a third party.
Look what just happened in Argentina, a candidate from a third party won.
Grenville is too staid.
This is a vid for your Honourable PM the International Climate Change Guru……
https://youtu.be/2fXiboAGQvM?si=wnbJMwe-kVgzBJ8Q
I’d be looking at the rising price of sugar in the world market.
Pity the land use planning has sucked for so long.
The price for sugar this year has risen by 40%.
It is small when compared with the ten fold increase from the 40’s and 50’s after WWII.
But sustained increases over 10 years makes the post WWII years become comparable.
“The reality is that the Barbados sugar industry currently being managed by the Government of Barbados, is producing less than 8, 000 tons of sugar annually at $4, 000 per ton and selling it at the market price of $2, 000 per ton – financial folly!”
https://barbadostoday.bb/2023/03/16/btcolumn-privatising-the-sugar-industry/
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Let’s say the world price for sugar doubles in 2 years.
$2000 per ton will become $4000 per ton and we break even assuming costs remain the same.
Suppose it quadruples in 4 years, then sugar is an extremely profitable industry to be in and it would be folly not to be in it. What is thought folly today makes perfect sense tomorrow!!
A sobering thought.
To put it in perspective, it is a fact that in the post WWII era, sugar prices experienced a 10 fold increase and the output exceeded 200,000 tons in 1957, repeated in 1967 when the industry was in private hands.
https://barbadostoday.bb/2023/03/16/btcolumn-privatising-the-sugar-industry/
Interesting to see this prediction about solar activity next year.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/it-s-a-pretty-significant-change-solar-maximum-will-arrive-sooner/ar-AA1ksK1E?ocid=msedgntp&pc=DCTS&cvid=134e12a50dc7415e89b5a3c57c52ed74&ei=19
We can expect to see a climate change but not because of the hot air emissions of our politicians.
So, what does that mean for sugar prices?
Why did sugar prices rise in 2023?
According to the internet:
“Sugar worldwide is trading at the highest prices since 2011, mainly due to lower global supplies after unusually dry weather damaged harvests in India and Thailand, the world’s second- and third-largest exporters.”
We could expect sugar prices to continue to rise.
Three months ago in India ….!!!
of topic but…..
https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/scotiabank-earnings-1.7041965
EARTHQUAKE
Tremor.
https://www.nationnews.com/2023/11/28/parts-barbados-shaken-5-1-tremor/