The climate change countdown | Green By Erline Andrews | Issue 159 (September/October 2019) For decades, climate scientists have warned us about the consequences of global warming — and small island states like those in the Caribbean are especially vulnerable. 2017’s Hurricane Maria was just a taste of what the coming decades will bring, reports Erline Andrews, unless significant resources get directed to efforts to protect threatened coastlines and reefs
Archaeology’s eye in the sky | Discover By Erline Andrews | Issue 158 (July/August 2019) For centuries, much of the evidence for Mayan civilisation has been covered in dense rainforest. Now new developments in LiDAR technology have made it possible for archaeologists to do sophisticated aerial surveys — revealing tens of thousands of previously unknown structures. Erline Andrews learns more
The parrotfish dilemma | Green By Erline Andrews | Issue 157 (May/June 2019) Among the most colourful marine species, parrotfish play a key role in keeping reefs and beaches healthy. They are also delicious, making fishing bans to protect them unpopular. Without these protections, learns Erline Andrews, they may be overfished into extinction
Diva Amon: as deep as it goes | Discover By Erline Andrews | Issue 156 (March/April 2019) The portion of the sea below two hundred metres is our planet’s biggest habitat, and the least known. Erline Andrews meets Trinidadian marine biologist Diva Amon, pioneering deep-sea research in our region
The plastic wars | Green By Erline Andrews | Issue 155 (January/February 2019) Plastic pollution is a growing danger to the environment, to wildlife, and to ourselves. As Jamaica implements the first major plastics ban in the Caribbean, Erline Andrews learns about its possible impact — and pitfalls
The secret life of sunscreen | Green By Erline Andrews | Issue 154 (November/December 2018) The blazing rays of the tropical sun can take a heavy toll on your skin — which is why most beachgoers and swimmers in the Caribbean slather on a layer of protective sunscreen before they disrobe. But the very chemicals that protect human skin can be toxic for corals — and the Caribbean’s reefs pay the price. Erline Andrews investigates
Jaws of life | Green By Erline Andrews | Issue 153 (September/October 2018) Pop culture has given sharks an undeservedly scary reputation. What’s truly frightening, reports Erline Andrews, is a sea without sharks, vital for a healthy marine ecosystem. And after decades of neglect, the countries of the Caribbean are finally waking up to the importance of shark conservation — for the environment, but also for their economies
Eye on the sky — from Puerto Rico’s Arecibo Observatory | Discover By Erline Andrews | Issue 152 (July/August 2018) For five decades, one of the world’s most important radio telescopes, gathering essential information about outer space, has operated from Puerto Rico’s Arecibo, at the heart of the Caribbean, writes Erline Andrews
Sans-Souci, Haiti: uncovering a kingdom | Discover By Erline Andrews | Issue 151 (May/June 2018) It’s one of the Caribbean’s most resonant historic sites, but surprisingly little is known about the true history of Sans-Souci, the palace of Henri Christophe, writes Erline Andrews. Now a multinational team of archaeologists are using high-tech tools to resurvey the site, and perhaps rewrite Haitian history
Next stop: space | Discover By Erline Andrews | Issue 150 (March/April 2018) As more and more entrepreneurs look towards space exploration, it’s still almost unknown outside the industry that one of the world’s busiest launch sites is on the doorstep of the Caribbean. Erline Andrews learns how French Guiana’s half-century-old spaceport is essential to our future exploring the galaxy
Johanan Dujon — seaweed for sale | The deal By Erline Andrews | Issue 149 (January/February 2018) For St Lucian Johanan Dujon, sargassum-covered beaches are’t just a problem — they’re an opportunity. As Erline Andrews learns, Dujon has his eye on a regional market for his Algas Organics line of fertilisers
Redonda rescue — saving its native species | Green By Erline Andrews | Issue 147 (September/October 2017) Tiny Redonda, with its steep and barren cliffs, is home to colonies of seabirds, rare lizards found nowhere else — and, until recently, hordes of invasive goats and rats. But a new restoration project aims to return Redonda to its original inhabitants. Erline Andrews learns more
The energy of the future: renewables in the Caribbean | Green By Erline Andrews | Issue 146 (July/August 2017) Year-round sunshine, endless breezes, gushing rivers: most Caribbean countries have ample natural resources to harness renewable energy. So why is the region so dependent on fossil fuels? Erline Andrews investigates
Caribbean Airlines turns ten By Erline Andrews | Issue 143 (January/February 2017) Marking a decade of sharing the warmth of the islands, with the Caribbean’s favourite airline. Learn about anniversary plans, meet some star CAL employees, and more
Caribbean “farmer-preneurs” — back to the land By Erline Andrews | Issue 142 (November/December 2016) Agriculture is an essential industry — how else do we feed ourselves? — but traditionally has been considered back-breaking, thankless, old-fashioned work. That’s starting to change, Erline Andrews reports, as a new generation of young Caribbean “farmer-preneurs” adopt the latest technological advances in one of human-kind’s oldest activities
Patient or tourist? Medical tourism in the Caribbean By Erline Andrews | Issue 140 (July/August 2016) As Caribbean countries seek to diversify their tourism industries, medical tourism — aimed at people who travel for treatment — should be on the agenda. Erline Andrews investigates
Niven Narain: smarter medicine By Erline Andrews | Issue 137 (January/February 2016) The tragic death of his grandmother inspired Niven Narain’s career in cutting-edge cancer research. Erline Andrews learns how the Guyanese-American scientist is pioneering the use of artificial intellignce to create better, cheaper drugs for all
The Cuba strategy By Erline Andrews | Issue 136 (November/December 2015) Cuba is already the Caribbean’s second biggest tourism destination, by visitor numbers. As the US government relaxes its decades-old restrictions on travel to Cuba, what happens to tourism in the rest of the region? How are other islands preparing? Erline Andrews finds out
Kathryn Cleghorn and Animals Alive: dogs’ best friend By Erline Andrews | Issue 134 (July/August 2015) For Kathryn Cleghorn, Animals Alive — possibly the largest no-kill dog shelter in the Caribbean — is a genuine labour of love. Erline Andrews learns more
Another giant leap: Camille Wardrop-Alleyne By Erline Andrews | Issue 133 (May/June 2015) When a three-year-old Camille Wardrop Alleyne watched the 1969 Moon landing on TV, she couldn’t have imagined she’d one day be part of the exploration of outer space. As a NASA scientist, she now helps run the International Space Station. And her second passion, as Erline Andrews discovers, is the campaign to get more young people — especially girls — into the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math
Trinidad & Tobago’s houses of history By Erline Andrews | Issue 132 (March/April 2015) A combination of neglect and commercial redevelopment has endangered Trinidad and Tobago’s unique architectural heritage for decades. But as Erline Andrews discovers, a handful of private individuals have bucked the trend, investing in restoration projects that give old buildings new life
Ready, set, read By Erline Andrews | Issue 128 (July/August 2014) In the quest to encourage reading habits in the Caribbean, books aimed at young adults have been in short supply. As Erline Andrews finds out, the new Burt Award for Caribbean Literature aims to change that
