The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) recently completed a visit to the Islands and warned the country must address serious social and environmental issues, if it is to safeguard its future.

In a presentation attended by senior civil servants and the media, it focused on problems such as crime, lack of education and sexual abuse.

The team also highlighted environmental issues, including over-development and what it sees as the sacrificing of coral reefs and diving attractions to accommodate the short-term benefits of the cruise ship industry.

However, no members of the Legislative Assembly attended the presentation.

Moreover, subsequent overtures for a response from Government by Cayman Net News, including direct questions to the Leader of Government Business, Hon Kurt Tibbetts, at the weekly media briefing, have proved unsuccessful.

Between meetings with Government and private-sector officials about issues relating to the environment, disaster management and human development, the UN team took time to conduct a public presentation on the Human Development Report 2007 and Sustainable Development.

After the formal presentations, reported in last Friday’s edition of Cayman Net News, the meeting was turned over to a question and answer session, allowing local representatives to quiz UNDP Programme Specialist David C Smith, Human Development Index expert José Libañio and UNDP Governance and Poverty Programme Officer Dianne McIntosh.

The discussion opened with a look at what sort of timeframe might be appropriate for planning ahead when tackling social and environmental issues.

The experts felt it was conceivable, using available data, to make plans for 20 to 25 years into the future. However, a warning note was sounded here that referred to the disastrous long-term planning methods used by the old Soviet Union.

Having agreed it was difficult to plan for each year, the UNDP team recommended plans should extend beyond the term of government and suggested ten years was a useful figure.

They pointed out countries need to make contingencies for serious changes in their circumstances.

It was suggested one scenario that needs to be addressed is the possibility of two major hurricanes impacting the Islands within the space of two or three years and the question was asked, “What does the Cayman Islands do if this happens?”

Asked about potential difficulties with governments who might be resistant to the UN enquiries, Mr Smith said they tried to persuade the government that, “The dangers of openness and transparency were far outweighed by the advantages.”

Director of the Cayman Islands Department of Environment, Gina Ebanks-Petrie, said that local decisions were often highly influenced by the private sector and this tended to pander to short-term concepts.

However, she said that, even though there was acceptance that “we are working with some unknowns”, there was ample data becoming available to assist long-term planning.

One area under particular scrutiny was the effect of climate change. Planners were urged to look at the potential impact on Cayman and the possible damage caused by storm surge and changes in weather patterns.

Reference was again made to the health of the ecosystem and the need to preserve the mangroves and manage the coastal zone.

The issue of changing building standards and planning regulations, including coastal setbacks, to take account of global warming, featured prominently in the debate.

According to the experts, the actual rate the sea is rising at is still to be determined but the best case seemed to be about one metre (three feet) in the next 50 to 100 years with the Caribbean experiencing a higher rate than other areas.

Addressing energy issues, Dr Smith commented that it seemed strange Cayman hotels were not using florescent and other low-consumption lighting. He suggested that simply changing the lighting would pay for itself in nine months and made good business sense.

Although not directly answering a question from Cayman Net News about the lack of investment in wind and solar power on the Islands, the UN team did address the Islands’ dependence on diesel fuel.
They cited the situation in Europe where there is a policy of not relying on a single provider, or source, for energy.

Mr Libañio also referred to the production of bio-diesel, explaining that it is very simple and adding, “A fisherman in Cayman Brac could produce their own fuel.”

The discussion returned to coastal erosion and building setbacks when it was revealed that even minor changes, like building a jetty, could adversely affect the beach on neighbouring properties.

The attitude of some overseas property owners who regarded hurricane-damaged houses on Grand Cayman as throwaway items was also  tackled. It was suggested steps should be taken, although nothing was specified, to, “ensure people have a large stake in their assets on the Island”.

DOE Director, Gina Ebanks-Petrie, said that for more than five years her department has been trying to get the Government to use the historic vegetation line, backed up by other relevant factors, to create realistic setbacks, which would take into account the location of the buildings.

“You cannot keep saying investors are going to run, if we impose controls,” she concluded.

The UN team closed with a simple message on development. Mr Smith concluded, “You need to know the value of what you have. If you own the beach and it is beautiful, find the way to use it – don’t just sell it.”

john@caymannetnews.com