🌿 National Conservation Act celebrates a decade despite ongoing opposition

The National Conservation Act in the Cayman Islands marked its 10-year anniversary, despite ongoing opposition and misrepresentation of its impact on development. The Act, designed by former premier Wayne Panton, has faced criticism from several ministers who claim that conservation efforts are hindering development. However, the new Sustainability and Climate Resiliency Minister, Kathy Ebanks-Wilks, emphasized the need for a balance between environmental conservation and development. 🌳

Ebanks-Wilks noted that the eco-services provided by the mangrove wetlands, ancient forests, arable lands, seagrasses, and coral reefs have a value of around $3 billion in terms of carbon sequestering, coastal protection, and tourism attractions. Despite this, the budget for her ministry is only 0.5% of that figure. The minister outlined the strategic goals of energy, equality, and the environment for the next two years and stressed the efforts the ministry would make towards conservation. 🌍

Since the enactment of the National Conservation Act, physical development in the Cayman Islands has not slowed down, and construction and development have continued to boom. The Act has provided a path to protecting some important land habitats as well as expanding coastal protections. However, only 11% of all three islands are under protection, far short of the 30% seen as the minimum natural land resources that humanity needs to conserve to help battle climate change. In contrast, 55% of nearshore waters are under lawful protection. 🌊