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Dear representatives from the Cayman Islands and the UK government: We, the young people of the Cayman Islands, urgently call on you to develop a comprehensive plan to prepare our islands for the looming impacts of climate change. We have been warned time and again about the impacts of climate change, but little has been done to strengthen our climate resilience. The climate crisis is no longer something we can ignore; to fail to prepare our economy is to fail the future of our children and grandchildren.
The purpose of this letter is not to oppose development on our islands, but to advocate for the sustainable, innovative and responsible growth we can achieve as a nation. Caymanians are still searching for a plan to develop climate-resilient infrastructure, diversify our economy or protect our natural barriers against storms. The fact is that without a clear strategy, Cayman’s young people are left wondering what our future holds.
Twenty years ago, Hurricane Ivan devastated our island, our livelihoods, and our economy. Recovery took months, and the trauma remains. Every hurricane season brings this kind of devastation; it’s not a question of if, but when. Science predicts it will happen in our generation.
Rising global temperatures are causing ocean waters to warm, providing more energy for hurricanes, resulting in faster winds and more precipitation. The central mangrove wetlands play an invaluable role in defending against the climate crisis and global ecocide, as they act as a buffer against storm surges and protect biodiversity. The protection these wetlands provide to our communities has been underestimated, and with Hurricane Beryl becoming the earliest high-intensity hurricane on record this year, it is critical to protect our mangrove ecosystems.
We call on you to take the necessary steps to protect our children, economy, mangroves, coasts, heritage and future of our dear islands. Without action, no amount of promises can ensure our security. Our government must abide by the provisions of Article 18 of the Constitution, “to ensure ecologically sustainable development and utilization of natural resources”.
Listening to young people and including them in decision-making processes is a given. The important infrastructure choices made today will have long-term impacts on our environment and economy, shaping the island we will inherit. Incorporating climate awareness in schools and colleges will enhance the resilience of communities by providing vital information about climate risks, adaptation options and disaster preparedness. In other British Overseas Territories such as Gibraltar, climate education is a compulsory part of the curriculum and is implemented as a requirement through legislation.
Raising awareness of vulnerability to climate change and correcting misinformation is crucial to empowering local populations. Strengthening education programmes is essential to making our livelihoods resilient to the impacts of the climate crisis.
The Cayman Islands signed up to the Biodiversity Action Plan in 2009 under the leadership of the United Kingdom under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity. The 2020 targets were categorised as “little progress” or “no progress” due to “weak legislation” and poor management of the Environmental Management Fund.
The Cayman Islands contributes greatly to the UK’s biodiversity, yet this rich resource is continually threatened by unsustainable over-exploitation. Our legislation must be strengthened so that any development plans that threaten biodiversity hotspots are subject to a thorough Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). EIAs are essential to making informed decisions. Making this a mandatory process through law will ensure that the Cayman Islands can develop sustainably and incorporate both anthropocentric and ecocentric ways of thinking into our local government.
Many small island nations already suffer from low-lying hazards, and their numbers are increasing – the impacts of climate change on the Caribbean are already foreseeable, posing unpredictable risks to our national security. As the UK has an inherent responsibility for climate hazards, it is the UK Government’s role to ensure that its Overseas Territories make sound climate decisions.
The UK National Security Strategy’s recognition of climate change and its potential impacts on numerous factors is an important part of improving the UK’s resilience. This awareness should be fostered by the public and private sectors to ensure that all aspects of Cayman’s socio-economic landscape are making sound climate decisions.
We have reached a point in history where business as usual cannot continue, and now more than ever we need the governance of a sovereign state to guide us toward a secure, viable future. The cost of repeatedly rebuilding the Cayman Islands is far greater than investing now in our future resilience.
Our fiscal security has enabled our Minister and Prime Minister to provide assistance to neighboring islands in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, highlighting our potential to lead the Caribbean in sustainable development. To realize this potential, it is essential to diversify our economy. Our heavy reliance on fossil fuels for energy and our economy’s reliance on tourism leave us vulnerable to climate-related disruptions.
To enhance our stability in the face of climate change, we must adopt forward-looking policies. Efforts must be stepped up and decisive action taken to achieve the targets set out in our National Energy Policy, as detailed in the Labour Government’s manifesto.
Evidence from other Caribbean islands such as Barbados shows that developing renewable energy is feasible and beneficial. Ensuring that energy supplies for homes and businesses are resilient after climate disasters is critical to mitigating the negative impacts on our livelihoods and economies.
The urgency of addressing climate change cannot be overstated. Immediate action is essential to ensure a sustainable and resilient future for the Cayman Islands. Decisions made today will have far-reaching impacts on our environment and economy, protecting them for future generations. Government officials, the time to act is now! Prioritize sustainable development and community protection. Every choice you make today will impact the future we will inherit.
We urge our government to take responsibility and turn the future that Cayman’s young people envision into reality. Through the UK’s mandate, our voices and concerns may influence its Overseas Territory government to become a leader in environmental protection in the Caribbean.
We, the future, implore you to take bold, decisive steps to secure a prosperous, resilient, sustainable Cayman Islands for all of us. This is our future you are defining. Your actions will determine whether we face a future filled with climate catastrophe or one in which we can live in harmony with our environment. Make a choice that history will remember.
Protect our islands, protect our people, and build a legacy of sustainability and resilience that we can all be proud of. The time is now – our tomorrows depend on it.
Sincerely,
Those who will suffer the consequences tomorrow for your inaction today.
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