标签： Barbados

A United Nations climate advisor has raised alarms over the unchecked expansion of hotels and high-rise condominiums along Barbados’ coastline, warning that such development is eroding the island’s natural beauty and ecological integrity. Speaking at the Barbados Youth Climate Action Summit and Expo, Ashley Lashley, a prominent environmental advocate, criticized the prioritization of profit over sustainability, calling for a fundamental shift in how progress is measured.

Lashley, who also heads the Ashley Lashley Foundation, highlighted the visible consequences of coastal development. “When you drive around Barbados, you see hotels and condos growing taller by the week, restaurants creeping closer to the beach, and this is labeled as progress. But progress for whom?” she questioned. She expressed deep concern over the loss of natural spaces, particularly beaches, which are vital to the island’s identity and future generations.

Lashley argued that Barbados’ economic model rewards resource extraction rather than environmental protection. “We celebrate every new building, every ribbon cutting, but where’s the recognition for the reef that died last year or the mangrove that protects us from floods?” she asked. She likened current development practices to “capitalism dressed up as progress,” emphasizing that the true cost of this approach is already evident in the form of droughts, heatwaves, and increasingly severe hurricanes.

Joining Lashley at the summit, Selwin Hart, Special Advisor to the UN Secretary-General on Climate Action, echoed her concerns, noting that the Caribbean is disproportionately affected by climate change despite contributing minimally to its causes. “The region is paying the highest price for a crisis it did not create,” he said. However, Hart praised the Caribbean’s resilience and innovation, citing initiatives such as solar microgrids, mangrove restoration, and climate-smart farming as examples of regional leadership.

Both speakers called for urgent action and unity, urging young people to continue advocating for sustainable solutions and amplifying the Caribbean’s voice on the global stage. “The world is watching the Caribbean,” Hart said. “Let us transform vulnerability into leadership and injustice into momentum for change.”

The University of the West Indies (UWI) has announced that aviation pioneer Lyndon Gardiner and cultural entrepreneur Pierce Antonio “Boo” Rudder are among 11 distinguished individuals set to receive the institution’s highest academic honor during its 2025 graduation season. The ceremony, themed ‘Pelicans in an AI-driven future: where tradition meets tomorrow,’ will span from October 11 to November 8 across UWI’s Five Islands, Cave Hill, St Augustine, Mona, and Global campuses. Gardiner, a visionary entrepreneur from North Caicos, revolutionized regional air travel through his leadership of interCaribbean Airways. Starting as a modest one-man operation in the 1990s, he transformed Air Turks & Caicos into the largest privately-owned airline in the Caribbean. Today, interCaribbean connects 27 destinations across 17 countries, fostering regional unity and creating hundreds of jobs. Beyond aviation, Gardiner has made significant contributions through scholarships at UWI, medical transport partnerships, and disaster relief initiatives. Rudder, a cultural administrator and entrepreneur, has dedicated his life to advancing Barbadian culture and identity. He has managed the Blue Rhythm Combo, led the Musicians’ and Entertainers’ Guild of Barbados, and served as CEO of the National Cultural Foundation. His advocacy for copyright reform has empowered Caribbean creators to protect their intellectual property. Additionally, Rudder has excelled as a national sports administrator, leading the Barbados Rifle and Pistol Federation and representing the island internationally. His creative endeavors include producing the CD ‘Rush Hour’ and authoring ‘Marching to a Different Drummer.’ In 2019, he was awarded the Gold Crown of Merit for his contributions to culture, business, and sport. The two honorees will be recognized for their outstanding achievements during the UWI Cave Hill Campus graduation ceremony on October 18, 2025. Other notable honorees include reggae icon Marcia Griffiths, academic leaders Professor Niranjan Kissoon and Professor Gene D. Morse, and the late Jamaican business executive Donald Wehby.

A St Simons homeowner, Keith Lowe, faced a distressing situation as relentless overnight rains transformed his yard into a muddy swamp, reigniting fears of flooding and sparking criticism of recent drainage modifications he claims have exacerbated the issue. On Tuesday, Lowe’s property in St Andrew, Barbados, was submerged in mud—a scenario mirrored in other parts of the island. The Barbados Meteorological Services (BMS) had issued a flash flood warning on Monday, predicting up to 50 millimetres of rain by Tuesday midday. Meteorologists cautioned that the heavy downpours could lead to severe runoff, soil erosion, and road blockages. Social media was flooded with images of the devastation, including Lowe’s own posts showing water encroaching beneath his home. Lowe recounted how water from the nearby road flooded his cellar, leaving behind thick mud. He expressed concern that continued rainfall could damage his home. Lowe attributed the flooding to recent road resurfacing and drainage changes, which he believes have redirected water toward his property. Despite his warnings to workers about the slope of his property, the kerb was lowered, worsening the situation. Lowe criticized the authorities for ignoring local input, stating, “We leave it to the experts, and the experts are failing at everything.” He also highlighted the placement of a new pipeline in front of his door, which has limited his ability to protect his home. By Tuesday evening, a government team visited the site, promising to raise the kerb and redirect water away from his property. However, with more rain forecasted, Lowe fears the measures may come too late. The BMS extended the flash flood warning until Wednesday morning, warning of potential flooding in low-lying areas due to saturated soils.

The Charles F. Broome Memorial Primary School in Government Hill, Barbados, is grappling with a persistent traffic management crisis that has escalated safety concerns and tensions among parents, staff, and students. In response, the Ministry of Educational Transformation has initiated urgent measures, including deploying police officers to the school premises on Wednesday morning as classes resume following a sudden one-day closure. Deputy Chief Education Officer Julia Beckles confirmed that at least two officers will be stationed to address the ongoing issues. The ministry is also conducting a comprehensive review of safety and traffic management protocols after reports of chronic congestion, verbal altercations, and gridlock during peak hours. Beckles emphasized the ministry’s commitment to finding both immediate and long-term solutions, stating that a formal report is being prepared for internal review. The school’s abrupt closure on Monday, attributed to “unforeseen circumstances,” left parents scrambling to collect their children. Julian Pierre, Vice-President of the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT), revealed that the closure was prompted by staff shortages and a heated verbal confrontation between a parent and a teacher. During a two-and-a-half-hour meeting on Tuesday, staff voiced their concerns about daily traffic delays and verbal abuse from frustrated parents. Pierre urged parents to exercise patience and mutual respect during drop-off and pick-up times, emphasizing the need for peaceful cooperation. While no physical altercations were reported, the incident involving the teacher and parent remains under investigation. Teachers expressed appreciation for the ministry’s swift response and are hopeful for a prompt resolution to the ongoing challenges.

Residents of St Peter are on the brink of witnessing long-awaited improvements to their local infrastructure, as contracts for major roadworks are set to be awarded within months. Transport and Works Minister Santia Bradshaw recently announced the upcoming projects, which include the reconstruction of the Farm Road bridge and repairs to Warleigh Road. These developments aim to address years of hazardous conditions and neglect in the area.

The Farm Road bridge, rendered unusable after a water main rupture caused extensive damage, has remained closed for an extended period, diverting traffic to Warleigh Road. Bradshaw revealed that the technical designs for the bridge’s reconstruction were finalized earlier this year, and the project is currently in the tender evaluation phase. A contract is expected to be awarded as early as next month.

Similarly, the Warleigh Road project has also been put out to tender, with repair work slated to commence early next year. Despite these promising developments, residents have expressed frustration over the prolonged delays in addressing the area’s infrastructure issues.

Brittany Brewster, a St Peter resident, highlighted the dire state of the road stretching from Hayman’s Market to Speightstown, which has been closed off for years and is now severely overgrown. She also emphasized the lack of pedestrian crossings, pavements, and proper lighting, particularly along the Ronald Mapp Highway, posing significant risks to schoolchildren and pedestrians.

Residents are hopeful that the promised roadworks will finally bring much-needed relief and safety to the community, ending years of neglect and hazardous conditions.

The reconstruction of the Bruce Vale Bridge in St Andrew, Barbados, has encountered yet another delay, exacerbating frustration among Baxters residents. The project, already years behind schedule, has been further hindered by recent heavy rains, which have caused significant setbacks. The bridge, closed since 2021 due to structural failure, is considered crucial by the local community, but slow progress and recurring obstacles have pushed the anticipated completion date further away. Lester Boyce, a resident of Baxters, expressed his exasperation, stating, ‘It’s taking too long. It looks like it’s going to take another two years.’ Boyce, who visited the site after overnight rainfall, noted that the wet weather has worsened conditions, washing away much of the marl and mud along the banks, necessitating a restart in some areas. The Bruce Vale Bridge is one of eight bridges slated for reconstruction under the Scotland District Road Rehabilitation Programme. Work officially began on January 13, 2025, with demolition expected to last three weeks. However, by June, George Holder, the Ministry of Transport and Works consultant on the project, revealed that progress had been impeded by unforeseen ground conditions. ‘The major delay has been the redesign of the foundations of the abutments,’ Holder explained. ‘Despite the geotechnical investigations, the actual ground beneath the foundations was not as anticipated.’ Boyce also highlighted the poor condition of the roads in the area, urging motorists to navigate carefully due to loose rocks and uneven surfaces. Despite his frustration, Boyce remains hopeful that the area will eventually benefit from the repairs, stating, ‘At least nothing that I or nobody can do. Just hope for the best.’