Community and Society
Kiefer Mes returns to Belize after representing the Jewel at COY16 in Scotland
Kiefer Mes, a 17-year-old student of Independence Village in the Stann Creek District, is back in Belize after participating in the 16th UN Climate Change Conference of Youth (COY) held from the 28th to the 31st of October in Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom. Held before the annual UN Climate Change Conference or Conference of the Parties (COP), youth representatives from around the world meet to discuss climate change and how it affects young populations.
Environment
Prime Minister Hon. John Briceño tells UN Climate Change summit, “Without the reef, Belize’s economy could crumble.”
During the opening day of the 26th UN Climate Change summit, also known as the Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland, UK, Prime Minister Honorable John Briceño called on developed countries to take immediate and ambitious action to save the planet. Briceño pointed out that developed countries must not only deliver but increase their commitments to climate finance. The prime minister highlighted how Belize’s natural resources are impacted by the effects of climate change and called on those responsible for emitting high greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide.
Community and Society
Oceana promotes sustainable fishing with pilot project under the Fish Right, Eat Right initiative
On Friday, October 22nd, Oceana Belize rolled out a pilot project under the ‘Fish Right, Eat Right’ initiative, connecting restaurants with responsible fisher-folks. The campaign involves an app that allows restaurants and even customers to know what type of fish they are consuming and where it was caught. The main purpose of the initiative is to curb illegal fishing and promote best practices in fisheries by providing marketing incentives throughout the supply chain via the promotion of responsible seafood consumption.
Community and Society
Road and bridge proposal to connect Ambergris Caye with Mexico concerns environmentalists
After it was revealed by Prime Minister Honourable John Briceño that there is a proposal to connect Ambergris Caye with the Mexican Yucatan peninsula via a bridge, environmentalists have sounded the alarm of its negative impact could cause to that part of the island. With a bridge, a road will be a must, and this development means that the Bacalar Chico National Park and Marine Reserve in the area could be in jeopardy. Its unique wildlife face displacement, and sea turtle nesting areas could become a thing of the past.
Conservation
Minister of Sustainable Development Participates in 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties
Hon. Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management, is leading a delegation from various ministries and non-governmental organizations, participating virtually, at the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention of Biological Diversity from October 11 to 15, 2021.
Conservation
Belize to Benefit from Global Fund for Coral Reefs Investment Window
The Green Climate Fund (GCF) during its 30th board meeting approved US$125 million towards “Global Fund for Coral Reefs Investment Window” to be implemented by Pegasus Capital Advisors, the accredited entity in Belize and other countries. The initial GCF investment also seeks to attract an additional US$375 million of public and private capital.
Environment
Illegal garbage dumping in northern Ambergris Caye reported
Concerned residents have reported what they describe as an eyesore and environmentally harmful piles of rubbish, including electrical appliances, dumped with the apparent purpose of filling a piece of land north of San Pedro. According to regulations, organic landfill may be used, but electrical items and appliances are considered hazardous to the environment and should be disposed of properly.
Conservation
Hon. Andre Perez shares Belize’s commitment to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing
Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing and transnational organized crime in the fisheries sector has in the past affected the reputation of many Caribbean countries, including Belize. To combat this issue, Caribbean ministers responsible for fisheries and blue economic growth are holding meetings to address the issue during this year's Caribbean Week of Agriculture, celebrated virtually under the theme 'Transforming our Food Systems.' Belize was represented by the Honourable Andre Perez, Minister of the Blue Economy and Civil Aviation, and shared the country's commitment to strengthen regional cooperation in the fight against IUU fishing.