On a small island, more so than anywhere else, the human population is inextricably linked to its natural environment. That population must be aware of this symbiosis and ignores natures warning signs at its peril. Science is now united, global warming is a real phenomenon and will have catastrophically unpredictable effects if it is left unchecked. It could easily manifest as a rise in the volume of the worlds oceans leaving low lying lands in a very nasty predicament.

Environmentalism has come to mean far more than simply saving the planet. Its now a political PR game in which it is not always the movements founding issues that hold the priority of the protagonists.

Maybe it should come as no surprise therefore to find Grand Cayman full of environmental contradictions.

Supposedly concerned for the survival of virgin beach, forest, mangrove and reef, yet all over the island all we see is development, development, upon exuberant development. Rather than sustainability we see exuberance. Rather than incentives to reduce your carbon footprint you are encouraged to buy a brand new beach front condo for $?million dollars. Whilst development continues almost unchecked, the public transport system continues to be a joke. People have no choice but to travel by car because the alternative is so ridiculously poor in quality. The taxi system is a joke. As an aside, it is no wonder so many drink, drive and die because it costs a fortune to get a taxi. The taxi drivers make out like they offer a public service. They are a cartel! Trying to ride a bike is almost suicidal due to the appalling quality of driver on the island. It is no wonder so many die on the roads here because no one knows how to drive responsibly! A good, sustainable public transport system would solve so may of these worrying issues.

I am not advocating a return to the stone age, progress is essential to the continued and healthy growth of a community. Progress, however, should be managed to produce a sustainable plan. Authority should strive for a genuinely sustainable policy path and actively promote its population to make the small changes in its lifestyle to lessen its environmental impact.

A few words of advice.

No more development of any virgin land, anywhere! Roads, condos, houses, buildings on forest, mangrove or beach.

No new cruise ship terminal

No North Sound Mega Yacht Marina

Lessen the number of commercial boat operating licenses

Cap the number of cruise ships coming to the island

Sort out the situation on the roads and with public transport

Encourage the use of the sun as a natural resource

Encourage composting, home grown produce

Encourage composting toilets

Mandatory recycling

Educate about good water habits