Kingston. May 22, 2019. Jamaica’s premier environmental expo – Green Expo 2019 – returns on June 7-9, 2019 after an 8 year break with a renewed focus on environmental innovation, hot topics such as climate change adaptation, plastic ban, and a call for Jamaicans to renew their commitment to environmental care.
“We want to raise awareness and understanding of how to care for the environment, practice sustainable development and provide for positive environmental action,” said Dr. Susan Otoukon, Executive Director at the Jamaica Conservation and Development Trust (JCDT), the organisation that hosts the event.
Green Expo 2019 will be held at the National Arena and will showcase booths, displays and exhibitions from over thirty-five companies and government agencies. The Expo, first conceptualised in the 1990s, seeks to address the need for practical environmental education for sustainable development for the public. It aims to answer the questions: “What can I do for a better life (better environment)”and “Where can I get what I need to do it?”Booths number about 50 with some companies taking more than one. Exhibitions will open from 10. a.m to 10 p.m on Friday and Saturday and 8 p.m. on Sunday
Partners of the Jamaica Conservation and Development Trust Conservation Trust for the staging of Green Expo include:
- The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) which will be providing information on pollution and protected areas among other topics.
- The Environmental Foundation of Jamaica, which is piloting a number of civil society projects with economic benefits.
- The Climate Change Data Management Project
- Jamaica Energy Partners.
- The Spanish Jamaican Foundation
- The Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation
Exhibitors include the National Housing Trust which has projects in energy efficiency, and the National Water Commission. InstaSave, a water conservation company, and other entities in the renewable energy and organic agriculture space will also be exhibiting. The Adaptation Programme and Financing Mechanism for the Pilot Programme for Climate Resilience will also be displaying some some of its climate adaptation projects.
“Aside from our usual Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, such as International Coastal Clean-Up Day, tree planting projects, supporting preservation of marine life, and sponsoring environmental campaigns and programmes, our company strives to operate in an environmentally sustainable ways,” said Melissa Newman, Communication Specialist with Jamaica Energy Partners. She added that the company takes pride in its role as ambassador for environmental care.
According to Newman, operationally, the company only utilizes low sulphur content fuel (Heavy Fuel Oil). Additionally, it conducts annual stack emission monitoring, continuous ambient air quality monitoring, annual noise surveys and participates in mangrove reforestation.
At the Green Expo, Friday June 7 will be specially dedicated to children and will feature a Kiddies Pavilion with Hope Zoo, craft, quizzes and a career day for which registration is required because of limited space.
Careers highlighted will include wildlife conservation, pollution control, information technology and geographic information systems.
Students in uniform and children aged under 12 will pay $200 to attend Green Expo.
“We also have something for the teachers as there is a session on conservation education,” said Dr. Otuokon while adding that Green Expo 2019 will serve as a reminder that environmental care is everybody’s business.
“Think about yourself. Everybody wants a better life. The way to do that is to care for our environment,” she stated.
