She continues to fight for the environment after all these years motivated by the simple fact that “once you learn and open your eyes to the issues you can’t go back”.
By Patina Rankine A woman on a mission with a vision and the right stride for the continued protection of the Jamaican environment cannot be undone. Diana McCaulay exudes confidence and a no nonsense attitude when it comes to the overall safety and protection of Jamaica’s environment. Within minutes of meeting her, you are riveted by her passion and drive. Upon entering the premises of the Earth House, home to the office of Jamaica Environment Trust, one is brought into an atmosphere similar to an oasis tucked away in the city. You hear the birds chirping, see butterflies flying, and greeted by the friendly and pleasant staff. The architecture of the building, old French windows and doors, at the Earth House gives one the feeling of serenity which is far removed from corporate Jamaica. Regardless of the setting the Jamaica Environment Trust CEO and staff are on a mission working assiduously to protect the ‘land of wood and water’. |
Ms. McCaulay was busy at work, attending to her daily tasks as the founder and CEO for the Jamaica Environment Trust. After pleasantries, we got right into the interview of getting to know the woman, looking at how she got started in the environmental field, her concerns for the Cockpit Country and the Annual Beach Cleanup activities.
How she got started
Her desire to champion the protection of the environment started after she and a friend went to the Palisadoes to watch the sun set. To her astonishment, the beach was covered with garbage and had become a dump for all types of waste. She was ashamed and shocked that her beautiful Jamaica had become a dump site. It was at this time she decided to leave the insurance industry after eighteen (18) years. From that day she vowed to become an advocate for the protection of the environment. Wanting to learn more and become more active, Diana and a few associates took a trip to a sewage plant and the Riverton dump. These trips further fueled her desire to make a difference and advocate for change in Jamaica. Diana and friends saw the inefficiencies in the operations of both the sewage plant and the Riverton dump. The trips gave birth to the Jamaica Environment Trust through the interest and concern expressed by her colleagues and herself.
Diana’s views
The Cockpit Country Boundary debate
The Cockpit Country is recognized around the world for its biodiversity, its cultural heritage (Taino and Maroon) and the water source it provides. It is Jamaica’s largest remaining primary forest and home to many indigenous animals. Diana believes a decision needs to be made on the status of the Cockpit Country, whether naming it as a Forest Reserve or a World Heritage site. It is very important to protect the forest that exists at the Cockpit Country in order to sustain the biodiversity of the area. In an effort to continue protecting the region, as it supplies over 40% of freshwater to the island, Diana suggests this area be made inaccessible; “keep it special, fascinating and of great benefit to Jamaica.”
International Coastal Cleanup Day
After years of coordinating International Coastal Cleanup Day in Jamaica, Diana and team are at it once again, another year, another Beach Cleanup. And this year things seem to be on track for it to be another record breaking year. More beaches registered, more volunteers, and more trash being collected, all in an effort to keep Jamaica clean.
Over the past few years the Beach Cleanup has grown from small beginnings to over 4,000 volunteers participating in 2012. She has seen the event grow from when it was mainly family and friends who showed up. Now the event hosts schools, community groups, corporate sponsors along with friends and families participating annually. With nearly 50,000 pounds of waste collected in 2012, Diana expects more people showing up to the event.
Diana gets away from it all
Ms. McCaulay pointed out that when she’s not fighting the environmental war she takes a trip to Seattle on the West Coast of North America to get away at least once a year.
She has seen many changes over the years as it relates to people’s attitude and the overall protection of the environment. One such positive move, it has gotten easier to cover an environmental story or issue in the media. Back when she first started it was very difficult to broadcast an environmental issue in the media. However a major challenge that she still observes is the difficulty faced in enforcing the laws which govern the use of our natural resources.
After over 20 years advocating for the protection of the Jamaican environment, Diana is still going full force. She continues to fight for the environment after all these years motivated by the simple fact that “once you learn and open your eyes to the issues you can’t go back”. Despite the fact that some days she does not know how she does it, but once there is an avenue to act she is duty-bound. Ms. McCaulay said that in order for more Jamaicans to be more aware of the issues of the environment they must first be interested, secondly, educate themselves as there is a lot of information on the internet. She advises Jamaican to become environmentally aware of the activities they engage in, because at the end of the day it does impact the environment in some way or the other. She also emphasizes the need for activism. She encourages persons to join an environmental group, become a supporter and volunteer.
How she got started
Her desire to champion the protection of the environment started after she and a friend went to the Palisadoes to watch the sun set. To her astonishment, the beach was covered with garbage and had become a dump for all types of waste. She was ashamed and shocked that her beautiful Jamaica had become a dump site. It was at this time she decided to leave the insurance industry after eighteen (18) years. From that day she vowed to become an advocate for the protection of the environment. Wanting to learn more and become more active, Diana and a few associates took a trip to a sewage plant and the Riverton dump. These trips further fueled her desire to make a difference and advocate for change in Jamaica. Diana and friends saw the inefficiencies in the operations of both the sewage plant and the Riverton dump. The trips gave birth to the Jamaica Environment Trust through the interest and concern expressed by her colleagues and herself.
Diana’s views
The Cockpit Country Boundary debate
The Cockpit Country is recognized around the world for its biodiversity, its cultural heritage (Taino and Maroon) and the water source it provides. It is Jamaica’s largest remaining primary forest and home to many indigenous animals. Diana believes a decision needs to be made on the status of the Cockpit Country, whether naming it as a Forest Reserve or a World Heritage site. It is very important to protect the forest that exists at the Cockpit Country in order to sustain the biodiversity of the area. In an effort to continue protecting the region, as it supplies over 40% of freshwater to the island, Diana suggests this area be made inaccessible; “keep it special, fascinating and of great benefit to Jamaica.”
International Coastal Cleanup Day
After years of coordinating International Coastal Cleanup Day in Jamaica, Diana and team are at it once again, another year, another Beach Cleanup. And this year things seem to be on track for it to be another record breaking year. More beaches registered, more volunteers, and more trash being collected, all in an effort to keep Jamaica clean.
Over the past few years the Beach Cleanup has grown from small beginnings to over 4,000 volunteers participating in 2012. She has seen the event grow from when it was mainly family and friends who showed up. Now the event hosts schools, community groups, corporate sponsors along with friends and families participating annually. With nearly 50,000 pounds of waste collected in 2012, Diana expects more people showing up to the event.
Diana gets away from it all
Ms. McCaulay pointed out that when she’s not fighting the environmental war she takes a trip to Seattle on the West Coast of North America to get away at least once a year.
She has seen many changes over the years as it relates to people’s attitude and the overall protection of the environment. One such positive move, it has gotten easier to cover an environmental story or issue in the media. Back when she first started it was very difficult to broadcast an environmental issue in the media. However a major challenge that she still observes is the difficulty faced in enforcing the laws which govern the use of our natural resources.
After over 20 years advocating for the protection of the Jamaican environment, Diana is still going full force. She continues to fight for the environment after all these years motivated by the simple fact that “once you learn and open your eyes to the issues you can’t go back”. Despite the fact that some days she does not know how she does it, but once there is an avenue to act she is duty-bound. Ms. McCaulay said that in order for more Jamaicans to be more aware of the issues of the environment they must first be interested, secondly, educate themselves as there is a lot of information on the internet. She advises Jamaican to become environmentally aware of the activities they engage in, because at the end of the day it does impact the environment in some way or the other. She also emphasizes the need for activism. She encourages persons to join an environmental group, become a supporter and volunteer.