A natural way of slowing climate change

From The Carbon Wars

The carbon cycle is well known. Carbon moves in and out of the Earth’s multiple systems through processes such as erosion, volcanic activity, evaporation, photosynthesis, respiration, and decomposition. Carbon’s a vital element and life without it is impossible. But there is a balance: too little and the Earth would be a frozen ball in space. Too much and the planet overheats extinguishing life.

Trees play a major role in the carbon cycle by ingesting carbon in exchange for the oxygen they produce. As they grow they absorb massive amounts of carbon, naturally. Science may be on track to adding more trees to help slow the carbon crisis.

A group of arborists claim they’ve got part of the solution to slowing climate change: cloning trees. A group of “modern day Johnny Appleseeds” are cloning massive California sequoias and coastal redwoods and re-planting them worldwide, believing the trees are “ideal for absorbing greenhouse gases that drive climate change,” the Associated Press reported Wednesday.

David Milarch, co-founder of Archangel Ancient Tree Archive, urgently wants to repopulate the planet’s forests. His nonprofit group has cloned 170 types of tress over two decades of work and planted more than 300,000 of those trees in seven different countries.

“It’s really a race against time,” Milarch said. “If we start right now, we can go after climate change and reverse it before it’s too late.”

The arborists believe the massive size and lengthy lives of the California trees — Sierra Nevada  sequoias can be nearly 300 feet tall and 3,000 years old — indicate they’re ideal to absorb greenhouse gasses. Expert climbers, who scale the massive trees to collect the necessary samples, aid the cloning. The 66-year-old Milarch told the AP that science is beginning to bear out his ideas, but others were skeptical.

Todd Dawson, a professor of integrated biology at the University of California, Berkeley, told the news service he admires the effort but it’s not clear if the massive trees truly have superior genes that help prevent climate change.

“That’s one of the things about global warming — it’s a global problem,” Dawson told the AP. “You’re going to have to plant a lot of trees to combat global warming.”

Climate change is increasingly worrying. The first six months of 2016 were the hottest ever on record, according to NASA and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It’s the third year in a row that has set a record. As the Arbor Day Foundation points out, “through the natural process of photosynthesis, trees absorb [carbon dioxide] and other pollutant particulates, then store the carbon and emit pure oxygen.” A study published in 2007 however, found that more trees wouldn’t necessarily mean decreased global warming.

Chatterbox FREE programmes!

Chatterbox is being sponsored by the Special Needs Foundation of Cayman to present FREE programmes for children with special needs!

We have several programmes which children can join on Friday nights and Saturday mornings or you can request group or individual sessions according to the needs of your family.

Our aim is to give parents and caregivers a break for a few hours to run errands, organise a date night or just make time for yourselves, knowing that your child is in a safe, fun and supportive environment.

To discuss your needs and to register and book, contact:

Suzanne on 949 7065 or suzanne@chatterboxcayman.com

Cayman Drama Society

Early Bird tickets on sale now! CI$20. Click here to buy: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/yes-minister-tickets-26650478298

And you do not want to miss our continuing celebration of Shakespeare’s 400th!!!

Cayman Islands: West Bay Fire Station temporarily relocated

The crew, vehicles and equipment of the West Bay Sub Station are being temporarily relocated to the Ed Bush Sports Complex and will be dispatched from there when responding to respective incidents.

The move is to accommodate extensive repairs to the sub station. Work began on Monday 25 July 2016 and is expected to continue over a period of six weeks. There is no anticipated impact on the delivery of services or emergency response times due to the mandatory relocation. Residents are reminded to call 911 in the event of an emergency.

Cayman Islands Pirates Week calls for food vendors

The Pirates Week Festival Office is inviting participants for the annual Food Festival to submit their vendor applications for the below dates/times:

Vendor applications must be submitted beginning on Monday 1st August, 2016 to the Pirates Week Office on Shedden Road, George Town (upstairs next to KFC). Vendor space is limited therefore applications must be submitted as soon as possible after the opening date above. Deadline for submission is Monday 31st October.

 All vendors must comply with the rules and regulations set by the Pirates Week Festival Office and must present a valid Food Handling Certificate for all persons handing food by the 31st October. Food handling certificates can be obtained from the Department of Environmental Health by contacting Mr. Gideon Simms on 949-6696 or email gideon.simms@gov.ky .

 For application forms and more details please contact the Pirates Week Festival Office at 949-5078 or info@piratesweekfestival.com.

Red Bay Summer Roadworks Cayman Islands

Roadworks continue in the Prospect and Red Bay areas; to reconfigure the Red Bay roundabout and enhance the east-west arterial.

Most work is being done during off-peak times to avoid disruptions to traffic.

While work is being done, one of the lanes will be open for traffic as usual, but drivers may also use an alternate lane, as directed.

Please drive carefully, and pay attention to signs indicating lane closures or diversions.

Work in this area is to be completed before the end of August.

COMMUNITY EVENTS (Date Order)

WED AUG 3

1st of 3 Jaguar Land Rover Stroke and Stride events

The 1st of 3 Jaguar Land Rover Stroke and Stride events is Wednesday (3 Aug) at Sunset House. Log on to caymanactive.com for more details.

Immigration Closure

The Department of Immigration Headquarters, including Passport & Corporate Services, Visa Office and Front Counter, will be closed to the public for all but essential services on Friday (5 Aug.)

 CARE Quiz Night

THU AUG 4

Memorial Service for former Cayman Islands Governor

The Government of the Cayman Islands will pay its final respects to the retired and much respected former Governor of the Cayman Islands, the late Col. Thomas Russell, CMG, CBE. The memorial service will take place on Thursday 4 August, between 8.00 a.m. – 8.45 a.m. on the lawn of the former Government Administration Building (Glasshouse).

The service will include tributes and reflections from those who knew or worked alongside Mr. Russell. Officials expected to attend include Her Excellency the Governor Helen Kilpatrick, Premier Hon. Alden McLaughlin, Deputy Governor Hon. Franz Manderson, Leader of the Opposition Hon. McKeeva Bush. There will also be representatives from the Veterans and JP Associations. The general public is invited to attend the special ceremony.

In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will take place inside the current Government Administration Building. Notifications will be broadcast and posted should this change of location be deemed necessary.

UCCI Campus Closure due to Power Outage

FRI AUG 5

CAYMAN ISLANDS IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT CLOSURE ON 5 August 2016

The Department of Immigration Headquarters, including Passport & Corporate Services, Visa Office and Front Counter, will be closed to the public for all but essential services on Friday 5, August 2016. Only work permit and permanent residence applications (including applications for permission to continue to work (PCW)) that must be submitted prior to 6 August in order to allow continued employment will be accepted.

Time sensitive applications for visitor extensions will also be accepted.

The Department will resume normal operations on Monday 8th, August and will also remain open to the public until 7.00pm on Wednesday 3rd, August.

The Department apologizes for any inconvenience the closure on 5 August may cause.

Cultural Event Jamaica Independence Day Celebrations

FRI, SAT, SUN AUG 5, 6, 7

WED AUG 10

2nd of 3 Jaguar Land Rover Stroke and Stride

The 2nd of 3 Jaguar Land Rover Stroke and Stride events is Wednesday (10 Aug) at Sunset House. Log on to caymanactive.com for more details.

SUN AUG 14

Pete Ribbins Memorial 10K or 40K Bike Ride

The Pete Ribbins Memorial 10K or 40K Bike Ride is Sunday (14 Aug) at 630am. Log on to caymanactive.com for more details.

WED AUG 17

Final Jaguar Land Rover Stroke and Stride

The final Jaguar Land Rover Stroke and Stride is Wednesday (17 Aug) at Sunset House. Log on to caymanactive.com for more details.

FRI AUG 19

Cayman Islands Liquor Licence Holders: Remember your 19 August deadline

Liquor licence holders – including those with music and dancing licenses – are reminded of the Friday, 19 August deadline to apply for licence renewals.

They also are reminded that before they can apply for a renewal, their premises must be inspected by relevant Government agencies. Depending on licensees’ particular operations, these inspections may include the Fire Service, Department of Environmental Health, Planning Department, and Port Authority.

To help speed up the process, the Planning Department has advised that licensees must have inspections done by private, licensed plumbers and/or electricians. These inspections are then submitted to the Planning Department for approval.

The Planning Department added that there are a few exceptions. For example, package licences (for retail outlets such as stores and warehouses) do not require electrical or plumbing inspections.

Only complete renewal applications, with either inspection certificates or proof of inspection requests, that are submitted by the 19 August deadline will be heard at the Liquor Licensing Board’s annual session on 30 September.

Applications can be downloaded from the Department of Commerce and Investment’s website, www.dci.gov.ky . For more information, contact the Liquor Licensing Board through Acting Secretary Gavin Dixon on 244-3167 or DCI’s Shelise Jeffery on 244-2202.

SAT  &  SUN SEP 18 & 19 

British Schools Fair Cayman Islands

Street: Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman

District: Seven Mile Beach

Island: Grand Cayman

Country: Cayman Islands

Description

Ritz-Carlton

Sat 18 Sep & Sun 19 Sep

2.00-6.00 p.m.

A chance for Cayman families to meet leading UK boarding schools. If you are considering the possibility of your children having the opportunities afforded by an overseas education, this is your chance to speak to some of the top schools.

Free entry

For more information contact niall@bvs-education.com

August Events at Camana Bay

Be part of the action and support your nation with The Games at Camana Bay – a series of festivities inspired by the 2016 Olympics. Take in cultural experiences by catching the last chance to see Rundown, getting lost in poetry readings or by supporting a local author as they celebrate their latest book.

Moonlight & Movies: Summer Series

Tuesdays until 30 August

7pm

Gardenia Court

Music Happy Hour for Kids

Fridays until 26 August

3:30-4:30pm

Starfish Village

Got Milk?

Friday 5 August

3pm

Bedside Manor

The Games at Camana Bay: Opening Ceremony and Fireworks

Friday 5 August

5:30-9pm

The Crescent

Tai Chi

Sunday 7 August

8:30am

The Crescent

The Bookends Club

Wednesday 10 August

6:30-7:30pm

Books & Books

Douglas Schofield Book Signing

Thursday 11 August

6:30-7:30pm

Books & Books

The Games at Camana Bay: Moonlight & Movies

Thursday 11 and 18 August

7pm

The Crescent

The Games at Camana Bay: Kids’ Challenge

Saturday 13 August

2-5pm

Town Centre

Floetry

Wednesday 17 August

6:30-7:30pm

Books & Books

Culture at the Cinema: Les Liaisons Dangereuses

Saturday 20 August

7pm

Regal Cinemas

Theatre in the Court: Rundown

Saturday 27 August

7pm

Gardenia Court

National Gallery

Early Watercolours

Rarely displayed watercolour paintings from the early collections of the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands (NGCI) and the Cayman Islands National Museum (CINM) will be on show at the National Gallery throughout summer. The temporary exhibition titled, A Legacy of Light features a wide selection of landscapes, seascapes and architectural studies by both established and lesser-known artists from the Cayman Islands. The exhibition opens to the public 1 July 2016 and ends 16 September 2016.

  Light & Colour Workshop

Take part in a special watercolour workshop with Lois Brezinski Saturday, 13 August 2016 – 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. This intensive workshop explores the use of watercolours to capture the dramatic effects of light in the tropics. The workshop is designed for all levels and is open to adults and mature teens.

 Watercolour Kids Club

Saturday Mornings 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

9 July to 13 August 2016

Free watercolour art activities for kids! These creative drop-in sessions will be sure to inspire families of all levels and abilities. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Bookings are not required.

Take it Home

The gift shop at the National Gallery has a fabulous selection of creative gifts for all ages. Brand new watercolour paint sets, brushes and books have arrived so you can try your hand at creating a masterpiece of your own!

Learn more about the shop.