From Sarah Tatum

As a young Caymanian, addressing climate change and sustainability goes beyond political debates—it’s an urgent necessity for our survival. 

Last summer, Grand Cayman recorded its hottest day ever at 95.5 degrees Fahrenheit. And this year we had a close call with Hurricane Beryl, the earliest category five Atlantic hurricane ever recorded. 

Our coral reefs are facing unprecedented stress, with divers observing the longest local coral bleaching event ever seen. And of course, we are all witnessing the erosion of our Seven Mile Beach, transforming it into something almost unrecognisable.

Now, more than ever, it’s essential to have serious conversations about how we can tackle these pressing issues and protect our future.

Stepping into sustainable tourism

It’s time to really think about what we want our tourism industry to represent and how it should evolve with sustainability in mind. We need a National Tourism Plan, one that addresses key questions, such as:  

• What kind of tourist experiences do we want to offer?
• How can we protect our environment while enhancing the visitor experience?
• What balance should we strike between visitor numbers and the quality of their experience?

Re-thinking future development

Cayman is rapidly developing, our population is exploding, and yet we are doing all of this without an up-to-date development plan. The last development plan was made in 1997. 

It’s time to step back and carefully consider how we envision our future, ensuring that economic expansion does not compromise our natural resources and cultural heritage. 

Supporting local movements

We can also make an impact by backing local nonprofits like Plastic Free Cayman and The National Trust. These groups play a crucial role in facilitating conservation work, advocating for climate change and amplifying our voice on the global stage. 

Acknowledging that bigger countries need to step up

While we should of course be committed to doing our part in addressing climate change and promoting sustainability, it is only fair to acknowledge that the burden of solving these global issues cannot rest solely on our shoulders. After all, Cayman, like many other small nations, contributes minimally to the global greenhouse gas emissions that drive climate change, yet we experience its impacts most acutely. 

Bigger countries, especially those with larger economies and greater emissions, have a significant responsibility to take the lead in reducing carbon footprints, investing in renewable energy, and supporting international climate agreements.

Embracing sustainability across all sectors

The path forward for Cayman is clear: sustainability must be a core value embraced across all sectors – not just government agencies and environmental nonprofits. As highlighted in this blog by a Marketing Agency in Cayman, businesses and marketers have a crucial role in crafting genuine campaigns that showcase sustainable practice. 

We are at a pivotal moment, where the decisions we make today will define our future. By choosing sustainability, we commit to preserving the beauty and culture of our islands for future generations.