Someone once said “spruce up Jamaica and nice up yu self” this is exactly what took place on May 23, 2014; all across Jamaica. Some may consider the holiday the beginning of the famous long weekend while others will simply grab their broom, rake or shovel in an effort to beautify their community.
Labour Day 2014 national project took place in the sunshine city of Portmore St. Catherine; at the climate change park under the theme “Take a stand…Beautify our Land”. The 15 acre lot Climate Change Park near the Portmore Mall is an initiative of the Portmore Municipal Council in collaboration with the city of Hagen Germany. The first project was successfully completed in March of this year which saw the installation of solar panels as well as the planting of trees at the Heart College of Construction Services.
The aim of this park is to provide a green environment for the residents from in and around Portmore and also plans to feature rain water harvesting, solar and wind power and an underground wastewater treatment for plant and irrigation; and finally, the venue for the upcoming international Reggae Climate Change festival.
Some of this year’s Labour Day activities at the Climate change Park included the clearing of land, bushing, planting of trees. Plans are in place to install L.E.D Light panels and park benches complete the Park. The day was a success as more than 400 persons turned out for the day’s activities.
The Ministry of Youth and Culture is pleased as several private sector companies has given financial assistance to building of the climate change park VMBS is one such who have donated $350,000 towards work carried out at the Climate Change Park, on the day.
The cooperation between German city of Hagen and The Portmore Municipal Council is part of a global project called 50 Municipal Climate partnership financed by the German government as part of the ongoing partnership between Germany and Jamaica.
Fifty German communities and their partners worldwide developed joint programs of action on climate change mitigation and adaptation. These programmes and a specific municipal climate partnership between the cities will define specific targets and measures for climate change mitigation and adaptation, and identify the resources required by 2015.