Earth Day Message 2023

Hon. Kenneth Bryan, MP

Minister for Tourism and Ports

On April 22nd, 2023, more than 1 billion people will participate in Earth Day activities. For 53 years, people from more than 190 countries including the Cayman Islands, continue to not only highlight major issues affecting our environment but also take action in finding solutions to these problems.

Whether it is volunteering to clean up roadsides and beaches, or arranging large-scale protests advocating for lawmakers to create more sustainable laws; people the world over continue to observe Earth Day as a day to collectively push for tangible change, for the future of our planet.

In the early days, the Earth Day organisation promoted the three R’s – Reuse, Reduce, and Recycle but as the past few years have indicated heightened issues, from climate change to threatened food security in many countries, the message has changed to ‘Invest In Our Planet”. 

This aptly named theme means coming up with innovative ways to affect broad change, taking bold actions, and then implementing these changes. But a change of this magnitude cannot take place without the entire community – and in this case – the entire world coming together, taking accountability for their own environments. Wheneveryone invests in our planet, we will start to see change, we will make a difference. 

I firmly believe that keeping Cayman clean is a shared responsibility between residents, businesses, the government, and visitors alike. It is essential for us all to create a shift from a litter culture to one of civic pride in maintaining clean and healthy surroundings.

As the Minister for Tourism, I know that the natural beauty of our Islands is an important factor in drawing visitation to our beloved islands. Therefore, keeping our landscape and seascapes free of litter is fundamental to maintaining our status as a world-class tourism destination.

To this end, in 2022 I worked to re-establish the Beautification Task Force with the aim of making an indelible mark on the face of our landscape. One of the major projects the Beatification Task Force is currently working on is a national anti-littering signage campaign where signs will be installed at the various ports of entry and along our beaches throughout all three Cayman Islands. 

During Phase Two of the campaign, the group aims to place signs along frequently used roadways, and in areas with known illegal dumping sites in every district. 

The Task Force is just one way I envision we will provide answers to the increasing problem of littering and illegal dumping we are now experiencing. I encourage individuals to invest in their homes and yards as well; commit to volunteering to improve our communities through events like the longstanding Chamber of Commerce National Clean Up, which depends on the support of businesses and private citizens.

Caring for the environment has always been a part of the ethos of Caymanian heritage so let us not wait for one time per year to do this, I encourage you to plant trees and plan neighbourhood clean-ups at different times throughout the year.

Amplify your impact by using social media to educate friends and family about environmental activities you may be involved in. 

Employ simple lifestyle changes, such as reducing plastic consumption by using reusable and sustainable materials, setting up recycling bins in your homes, and buying sustainable clothing.  

Participate in advocacy groups like the Beautification Task Force, National Trust of the Cayman Islands, or Plastic Free Cayman, to campaign for better sustainable business practices or for changes to our existing laws. 

If we all commit to making a meaningful investment in our planet, we will protect the well-being of our tourism products, our livelihoods, and ultimately our communities. 

So, this Earth Day, plan to be part of the solution and not the pollution. 

God bless you.