Tag: 2024-11-21

UN Secretary-General, “Failure on Climate Finance is Not an Option.”

With a little under twenty-four hours left before COP29 wraps up in Azerbaijan’s capital, negotiators are still at an impasse over a new climate finance goal to help developing countries tackle flash flooding, drought, wildfires, and other natural disasters worsened by human activity. The first draft of a potential agreement was released early Thursday morning, receiving mixed reactions from government negotiators and civil society groups. The draft, divided into two main sections, outlines proposals from both developing and developed countries. However, some key issues, including funding goals, remain unresolved.

 

Speaker 1

“I’m really sorry to say, but the text we now have in front of us, in our view, is imbalanced, unworkable and unacceptable.”

 

Speaker 2

“In the current text, some of these calls are hidden, pared back, or minimized.  These shouldn’t be hidden, we showed own them and be proud of them and reinforce them.  This is a big step back and it is not acceptable at this current moment of crisis.”

 

Speaker 3

“The current proposed text is severely lacking in ambition, but it can serve as a starting point for enhancing the mitigation action required to reach the 1.5 target.  In addition, the text does not cover the full scope of issues that we have been discussing over the last few weeks and we will seek a way of reintroducing them where possible.”

 

Speaker 4

“So far, our development partner has not responded to our request of a figure because without a figure, the rest is really important but we need a figure as a headline to really determine whether we are making progress and the people outside of this room are expecting us to come up with that.”

 

Speaker 5

“Negotiations are moving far too slowly to meet the scale of the challenges we face.”

 

Speaker 6

“Unfortunately, the document still lacks substantive elements such as a concrete number on quantum.  We hope that very soon, we will find the number which is commensurate with the needs and priorities of the developing countries.”

C.E.O. Williams Addresses COP29 Gathering

Doctor Kenrick Williams, the C.E.O. of the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Climate Change, is currently in Baku, Azerbaijan. On Thursday, he took the stage at COP29 to highlight the devastating and irreversible effects of climate change on Small Island Developing States like Belize. He passionately called for climate justice and equity, stressing the urgent need for fair treatment and support for these vulnerable nations.

 

Dr. Kenrick Williams, C.E.O., Ministry of Sustainable Development

“While we gather here, the climate emergency continues to tighten its grip on vulnerable nations like Belize, continuously and consistently eroding any progress we make.  Every day, our communities are experiencing and living the escalated impact of the climate emergency.  Irreversible impacts unfold with each increasing fraction of a degree, magnifying the devastation while every moment of inaction exacts a toll on lives, ecosystems and livelihoods.  Every climate disaster serves as a profound reminder.  Adaptation investment is not a luxury nor is it a charity; rather, it is indispensable for our survival.  Like other SIDS, we face unique vulnerabilities with limited capacity to adopt.  Just this past Sunday, Tropical Storm Sara made landfall in Belize, bringing intense rainfall, widespread flooding, and threatening the livelihoods of our people.  Coupled with the most severe wildfires this year, and Hurricane Lisa in 2023, the aggregate loss and damage stands over two hundred million dollars, or over six percent of GDP in just two years.  Regrettably, this cycle of loss and damage occurs much too often.  This is why we need doubling of adaptation finance and we need fast-tracking of loss and damage finance.  Belize, a small nation with an overwhelming stake in this crisis, stands here, not just with words, but with the weight of our people’s future.  Our position is clear: climate justice and equity must prevail.”

Smoked Ham Leg Spikes to $320

Earlier today, Running W Brand took to Facebook to address a photo making the rounds on social media featuring one of their products. They confirmed that while the item is indeed theirs, it had exceeded its shelf life. They also clarified that the price and mark-up shown in the photo don’t reflect their retail pricing. The image quickly went viral, sparking widespread discussion about prices and product quality in Belize. One user humorously commented, “With the price of ham these days, I might stick with Hudut all through Christmas”. The ham in question was priced at almost eighteen dollars per pound, totaling a whopping three hundred and twenty dollars for the Smoked Ham Leg. Brodies, the store selling the ham, also responded on Facebook. They stated that the product had not exceeded its shelf life and that the pricing was accurate at the time of stocking. It said, “we are aware of a social media post claiming that a product sold at our stores exceeded its shelf life and displayed incorrect pricing. We would like to clarify that the product in question did not exceed its shelf life. The pricing on the tags accurately reflected the price at the time of ordering and stocking”. Running W Brands Meats added, “We encourage all our valued customers to always check the “Best By” date on our products to ensure freshness and quality”.

 

 

Juvenile Jaguar Rescued by Forest Department in Hattieville

This morning, the Forest Department and Belize Zoo staff sprang into action after a Hattieville resident reported a juvenile jaguar trapped in his storeroom. The young jaguar had been chased by dogs early in the morning and sought refuge inside the storeroom, where the quick-thinking property owner shut the doors, capturing it. The Forest Department and Belize Zoo team arrived, sedated the jaguar, and transported it to the zoo for care. The jaguar is now under the zoo’s watchful eye, where it will undergo a thorough health check. Plans are in place to relocate the jaguar to a secret location and fit it with a collar to monitor its movements closely. The Forest Department and its partners are committed to ensuring a balance between human safety and the wellbeing of our jaguar population. They will continue to respond to all reports of jaguar and wildlife issues across rural Belize.

 

 

Forest Department: Dogs Chased Juvenile Jaguar Into A Storeroom 

The Forest Department, in collaboration with the Belize Zoo, responded this morning to reports of a juvenile jaguar captured in a storeroom in Hattieville Village. According to the department, the jaguar was chased by dogs and sought refuge in the storeroom, where the property owner secured the area until assistance arrived.

The Forest Department confirmed that the jaguar was safely sedated and transported to the Belize Zoo, where it is now receiving care. A full health assessment is being conducted, and plans are in place to relocate the jaguar to an undisclosed location. The animal will also be fitted with a tracking collar to monitor its movements as part of ongoing conservation efforts.

The department reiterated its commitment to promoting coexistence between human communities and Belize’s jaguar population. They continue to address wildlife-related issues across the country, especially during Jaguar Month, celebrated under the theme “Keep Wildlife in the Wild.” This global and local initiative aims to highlight the vital role jaguars play in the ecosystem and to protect their thriving populations in Belize.

The Forest Department urges the public to report wildlife encounters and conflicts via its official Facebook page or by contacting its offices directly.

More on Juvenile Jaguar Discovered in Warehouse

More on Juvenile Jaguar Discovered in Warehouse

A male juvenile jaguar is at the Belize Zoo, where it will undergo a full medical assessment after it was discovered in a warehouse at a Hattieville supermarket.

The Forest Department is expected to issue a press release on the matter.

We are told that it is not a ‘problem jaguar’ based on the fact that all its canines are intact. Officials believe that the jaguar may have been displaced because of the recent flooding and found itself in the warehouse after being chased by dogs.

The jaguar suffered abrasion while trying to escape from the warehouse. It is about 3-4 years old. The jaguar will be collared for research purposes.

November is celebrated as Jaguar Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about jaguar conservation and the vital role these majestic big cats play in maintaining healthy ecosystems. As the largest wild cats in the Americas, jaguars are emblematic of biodiversity and are culturally significant in Belize and across Mesoamerica. Efforts during this month highlight the importance of preserving their habitats, mitigating human-wildlife conflicts, and fostering coexistence through education and sustainable practices.

SATIIM Blasts Belize’s Deer Dance Display at Miss Universe

It’s been less than a week since Miss Universe 2024 took place in Mexico. Miss Universe Belize, Halima Hoy, was praised for her performance, even though she did not secure a placement in the top 30.
The Miss Universe Belize 2024 national costume was unveiled on October 23 and combines cultural heritage and artistry. It draws inspiration from the traditional Mayan Deer Dance. While, Belizeans across the country supported the concept, today, the Sarstoon Temash Institute for Indigenous Management (SATIIM) fired off a press release, blasting the recent performance of the Deer Dance at the pageant.
The national costume that was showcased at Miss Universe on November 14 has sparked an “important conversation about how to protect Maya cultural values and heritage,” said SATIIM. The institute added, “No Maya person brought up in their culture would ever put on a Deer Dance mask or clothing outside of the rituals.”

SATIIM explained that the traditional clothes worn in the Deer Dance, known as unok/nok’, are spiritually significant and should not be treated as “trendy, decorative costumes.”
The open letter further explained that the Deer Dance is a multi-day ritual that requires preparation, fasting, and prayer, and cannot simply be “cut and pasted” for public displays.
The institute condemned the use of the Deer Dance in the pageant, calling it “desecrated for a beauty pageant.” They also pointed out how the “revealing bustier” of the costume offends Maya women’s conservative values. The performance was criticised for reducing this sacred ritual into entertainment.

SATIIM further said that the Deer Dance is “not theatrical” but a “community ritual,” and using it outside its proper context is seen as sacrilegious. “To mimic the dance is to mock the sacred values of an entire culture,” SATIIM said.
The Sarstoon Temash Institute also stressed that Maya people should decide what parts of their culture to share, noting that “inspiration” should not be used as an excuse for exploitation. They called for stronger protections for Maya culture and urged the creation of cultural policies and laws that reflect the values and needs of Maya communities.

Miss Universe Belize: ‘She’s Representing Us All’

Father of Shooting Victim Breaks Silence 

Juan Leonardo, the father of 18-year-old Jonathan Leonardo, spoke to News 5 today regarding his son’s fatal shooting.

Jonathan was shot dead on Wednesday night outside Divinas Restaurant and Bar in Roaring Creek Village. As we have reported, Jonathan had a confrontation with another patron inside the bar. In an attempt to de-escalate the situation, Leonardo left the establishment and got into his vehicle with two friends. The altercation escalated when the other individual followed him outside. As Leonardo tried to drive away, the assailant approached the driver’s side and fired a single shot, fatally wounding him.

Juan received the news late at night, around 11 PM, without any clear explanation of what had happened. All he was told was to go to the hospital. Upon arriving at the scene, he discovered that his son had already passed away. He told News 5, “He’s worked with me since he was little. We’ve been together every day, and he’s never been involved in anything bad.” Juan said that his son helped with deliveries across the country and led a quiet life. He added that Jonathan had no known issues with anyone.

“I have so many unanswered questions,” Leonardo shared, unsure of who his son had been with or what problems he might have had. “I don’t even know why he was there, and I don’t know who did this to him or why.”

Brodies Responds to Running W Over $320 Smoked Ham Leg

Earlier today, Running W Brand posted on its Facebook page a statement in which it acknowledged a photo circulating on social media that features one of their products. The company said that while the item in question is a Running W product, it has exceeded its shelf life. It added that the price and mark-up shown in the photo do not reflect the company’s retail pricing.

The image quickly circulated social media and triggered widespread discussion about prices and product quality in Belize with one user saying, “With the price of ham these days I might continue with Hudut all through Christmas.” The ham was priced at $17.95 per pound, making the total cost of the Smoked Ham Leg $320.41.

This particular ham was sold by Brodies, which also took to Facebook to respond to Running W Brand’s post. Brodies said that the product did not exceed its shelf life and that the pricing was accurate at the time of stocking. “We are aware of a social media post claiming that a product sold at our stores exceeded its shelf life and displayed incorrect pricing. We would like to clarify that the product in question did not exceed its shelf life. The pricing on the tags accurately reflected the price at the time of ordering and stocking.”

Running W Brands Meats also said, “We encourage all our valued customers to always check the “Best By” date on our products to ensure freshness and quality.”

 

Can “The Honourable Shyne” Sway Voters? 
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