A five-year initiative has been launched to address Jamaica’s urban climate and societal challenges by integrating nature-based solutions (NbS) into urban planning and community development. Dubbed ‘Jamaica Urban Solutions for the Environment’ (J-USE), the initiative is funded by Global Affairs Canada with an investment of Can$4 million and is being implemented by the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica (EFJ), which is...

The approximately 76 shelters in the parish of Portland are in a state of readiness as the parish braces for Tropical Storm Melissa, which is slowly approaching the island. “We have prepositioned bedding and other items in communities. We have items in store, and we know that we will continue to be supported by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and...

The National Water Commission (NWC) has enacted measures to ensure that water is supplied before, during and after the passage of Tropical Storm Melissa, says Acting President, Kevin Kerr. Stating that the NWC has “moved into a heightened state of readiness”, he said that the agency’s key priorities are to protect the safety of its employees, infrastructure and critical assets,...

Standardisation representatives from more than 30 countries gathered in Montego Bay, St. James, from October 13 to 17 for the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Technical Committee 323 (Circular Economy) meetings. Hosted by the Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ), the high-level event attracted professionals, academics, policymakers, environmental experts, and private-sector leaders, all working towards reshaping global production and consumption patterns....

Jamaica’s two main telecommunications providers – Flow and Digicel – have activated their emergency response centres as the country prepares for Tropical Storm Melissa. “Flow Jamaica has fully activated its crisis management system with support from local and regional teams. Power resilience has been strengthened with more than 61 per cent of mobile sites now having backed up power and...

The National Water Commission (NWC) has activated its emergency response and preparedness measures as Jamaica braces for the possible impact of Tropical Storm Melissa. According to the latest bulletin from the Meteorological Service of Jamaica, a Tropical Storm Warning and Hurricane Watch are in effect as Melissa continues to move slowly across the central Caribbean Sea. In light of this...

Mayor of Falmouth, Trelawny, Councillor Colin Gager, says that it is “all systems go” across the parish, as government agencies coordinate preparations for Tropical Storm Melissa. “The message to residents is clear: prepare as best as possible and stay informed through official channels,” Mayor Gager told JIS News in an interview. Mayor Gager outlined the collaborative effort spanning local authorities...