Two high school students and one University of The Bahamas student who inked the link between renewables and climate change walked away with honours and cash prizes today with the top winner being named the first ever Inti Environmental Youth Ambassador following Inti Corporation’s Environmental Essay Contest. 

The winners were announced at a presentation at the Bahamas National Trust’s Retreat on Village Road. On hand for the ceremony were Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Vaughn Miller and Minister of State for Education Zane Lightbourne along with officials from the Ministry of Education, University of The Bahamas and Owen Bethel, founder and President of Inti Corp. 

Inti Corporation Ltd. is the Bahamian firm responsible for the design, engineering, procurement, and construction of The Bahamas’ largest solar installation. 

Cierra Rahming, of the University of The Bahamas, took home $1,000 for winning the tertiary level competition while Kingsway Academy’s Makayla Kerr won the secondary division earning $750 and Sister Mary Patricia Russell’s Sarah Roker won the junior division and $500 at the awards presentation. 

The competition focused on the theme ‘Renewable and sustainable energy can significantly impact climate change in The Bahamas’ and followed the eco-conscious traveling art exhibition “One Goat and Three Birds” created by three artists who wanted to capture the devastation of Hurricane Dorian, including an oil spill that turned out to be far worse than initially assessed as only killing one goat and three birds.  

The winners beat other entrants who were required to incorporate key words and phrases into their essays, including climate change, environment, solar solutions, sustainable development and youth and climate change.

In partnership with the Ministry of Education, judging was done by teachers, who read each essay and scored based on its messaging, and innovation to addressing climate change and its effects on countries like The Bahamas. 

In her winning essay, Rahming highlighted the role everyone can play in tackling the global issue, using renewable energy to make a positive impact, stating “The potential of solar energy coupled with adaptation, remediation, and sustainable development measures, can mitigate the adverse effects of climate change on the archipelago. Moreover, the involvement of women and youth in climate change action will ensure a more equitable and effective response to this pressing global issue.”

Kerr’s secondary division winning essay also touched on the involvement of women and girls in the fight against climate change saying, “One potential means of accomplishing this goal is through training women as solar technicians or energy auditors, enabling them to become more involved in engineering and construction while simultaneously creating job opportunities and decreasing greenhouse gas emissions.”

Kerr also walked away with the prestigious honour of Inti Environmental Youth Ambassador.

Both Cabinet ministers said they were not only impressed, but impressed upon those in attendance how important it would be in the future for those who are students today to lead during climate crisis in the future. Researchers have repeatedly reported that the low-lying Bahamas is one of the most vulnerable places on the planet to be affected by climate change and the most severe predictions is that entire islands could one day be swallowed by rising seas.  

“The possibility of us being climate refugees is real,” said the environment minister “And so the more informed, the more educated, the better equipped and empowered they (students) will be enabling them to make decisions that may not be necessary to make now, but important for them in the future.” 

Education State Minister Zane Lightbourne echoed a similar sentiment, declaring “it will be very important that generations behind us get it.”  

According to Lightbourne, the newly named ambassador will become “a voice of our little country.” 

Though only in 9th grade, Grand Bahama native Sarah Roker’s spectacular winning essay for the junior division highlighted how the further implementation renewable energy can bode well for islands like the one she calls home, particularly after the lessons learned from Hurricane Dorian. 

“The country has abundant renewable energy resources, making it an ideal location for renewable energy production. The economic benefits of renewable energy implementation further underscore the great importance of transitioning to renewable and sustainable energy in The Bahamas.”

Inti Corporation Ltd. is the on-the-ground facilitator of two solar farms under construction on Grand Bahama that will produce up to nine megawatts of power to be added to Grand Bahama Power Company. Ground was broken in March on the project that is expected to build resilience for Grand Bahama power supply, reduce dependency on and expenses associated with importation of foreign oil, including cost of foreign exchange.

Two high school students and one University of The Bahamas student who inked the link between renewables and climate change walked away with honours and cash prizes today with the top winner being named the first ever Inti Environmental Youth Ambassador following Inti Corporation’s Environmental Essay Contest.  The winners were announced at a presentation at the Bahamas National Trust’s Retreat on Village Road. On hand for the ceremony were Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Vaughn Miller and Minister of State for Education Zane Lightbourne along with officials from the Ministry of Education, University of The Bahamas and Owen Bethel, founder and President of Inti Corp.  Inti Corporation Ltd. is the Bahamian firm responsible for the design, engineering, procurement, and construction of The Bahamas’ largest solar installation.  Cierra Rahming, of the University of The Bahamas, took home $1,000 for winning the tertiary level competition while Kingsway Academy’s Makayla Kerr won the secondary division earning $750 and Sister Mary Patricia Russell’s Sarah Roker won the junior division and $500 at the awards presentation.  The competition focused on the theme ‘Renewable and sustainable energy can significantly impact climate change in The Bahamas’ and followed the eco-conscious traveling art exhibition “One Goat and Three Birds” created by three artists who wanted to capture the devastation of Hurricane Dorian, including an oil spill that turned out to be far worse than initially assessed as only killing one goat and three birds.   The winners beat other entrants who were required to incorporate key words and phrases into their essays, including climate change, environment, solar solutions, sustainable development and youth and climate change. In partnership with the Ministry of Education, judging was done by teachers, who read each essay and scored based on its messaging, and innovation to addressing climate change and its effects on countries like The Bahamas.  In her winning essay, Rahming highlighted the role everyone can play in tackling the global issue, using renewable energy to make a positive impact, stating “The potential of solar energy coupled with adaptation, remediation, and sustainable development measures, can mitigate the adverse effects of climate change on the archipelago. Moreover, the involvement of women and youth in climate change action will ensure a more equitable and effective response to this pressing global issue.” Kerr’s secondary division winning essay also touched on the involvement of women and girls in the fight against climate change saying, “One potential means of accomplishing this goal is through training women as solar technicians or energy auditors, enabling them to become more involved in engineering and construction while simultaneously creating job opportunities and decreasing greenhouse gas emissions.” Kerr also walked away with the prestigious honour of Inti Environmental Youth Ambassador. Both Cabinet ministers said they were not only impressed, but impressed upon those in attendance how important it would be in the future for those who are students today to lead during climate crisis in the future. Researchers have repeatedly reported that the low-lying Bahamas is one of the most vulnerable places on the planet to be affected by climate change and the most severe predictions is that entire islands could one day be swallowed by rising seas.   “The possibility of us being climate refugees is real,” said the environment minister “And so the more informed, the more educated, the better equipped and empowered they (students) will be enabling them to make decisions that may not be necessary to make now, but important for them in the future.”  Education State Minister Zane Lightbourne echoed a similar sentiment, declaring “it will be very important that generations behind us get it.”   According to Lightbourne, the newly named ambassador will become “a voice of our little country.”  Though only in 9th grade, Grand Bahama native Sarah Roker’s spectacular winning essay for the junior division highlighted how the further implementation renewable energy can bode well for islands like the one she calls home, particularly after the lessons learned from Hurricane Dorian.  “The country has abundant renewable energy resources, making it an ideal location for renewable energy production. The economic benefits of renewable energy implementation further underscore the great importance of transitioning to renewable and sustainable energy in The Bahamas.” Inti Corporation Ltd. is the on-the-ground facilitator of two solar farms under construction on Grand Bahama that will produce up to nine megawatts of power to be added to Grand Bahama Power Company. Ground was broken in March on the project that is expected to build resilience for Grand Bahama power supply, reduce dependency on and expenses associated with importation of foreign oil, including cost of foreign exchange.

Minister for the Environment and Natural Resources Vaughn Miller said he will advocate for the most severe penalties if Equinor is found "wanting" in its cleanup of the transshipment site in East Grand Bahama.

"A team will be dispatched to follow up and after their investigation, we will meet with Grand Bahama residents to report their findings," Miller said.

He said if there are any violations found, "I will personally see to it that the most stringent fines are levied."

Miller was responding to questions from the media last week when Cabinet held its first meeting on the island under the Davis administration.

He confirmed that his ministry received a number of complaints regarding the oil spill cleanup process at the site.

In 2019, Hurricane Dorian blew the tops off three tanks at the site, causing a spill of an estimated 119,000 barrels of oil over acres of pine forest northeast of the terminal.

Equinor began a cleanup and remediation effort immediately with an anticipated completion date of 2024.

Equinor reported that it had conducted remediation work to clean up oil from the affected area and dug 27 wells to test for groundwater contamination. The company said tests showed no contamination.

In a statement on February 21, 2023, it noted that it had completed the cleanup of hydrocarbons in the area around the facility.

"Extensive cleanup operations have been performed by Equinor in close collaboration with Bahamian authorities," the company said.

"The cleanup operations outside the fence were concluded in March 2021, and extensive testing of the groundwater outside the terminal has shown no sign of hydrocarbon deposits."

However, the statement did not mention the state of the facility itself.

In 2022, Press Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister Clint Watson reported that the government was satisfied with the oil company's cleanup.

Last week, Miller was asked about his commitment to meet with Save the Bays (STB) and Waterkeepers Bahamas representatives to hear concerns on this matter.

"I made a pledge to meet with Mr. (Joseph) Darville and certainly to tour those areas," he said. "I look forward to an extensive conversation with him."

Since the spill, local environmentalist interests, including Bahamas National Trust (BNT), STB and Waterkeepers Bahamas have been very vocal about their concerns regarding the cleanup process.

In previous interviews with Grand Bahama News, Darville, STB's chairman, expressed concern that oil residue remained in the surrounding forest just outside the plant site.

Darville, along with colleagues, even called for the stop of the oil transshipment sale, questioning who would take responsibility for the remaining remediation process.

He said last week he will reserve further comments at this time.

"I know that Equinor has a court case going on and we are awaiting the conclusion, but I will speak to the issues following the tour with the minister," Darville said.

The government approved Equinor's sale to the Liwathon Group in Estonia in April.

In keeping with the country’s 50th anniversary celebration, Mrs. Ann Marie Davis, wife of the Prime Minister, on Friday, May 12 donated 50 breadfruit trees to Old Freetown Farm.

The farm was devastated during Hurricane Dorian in September 2019 when they lost one employee and hundreds of animals. Owner Sissel Johnson said two breadfruit trees survived the storm but were destroyed during the cleanup.

While addressing some of the attendees of Forum for Impact (FFI) Americas platform that was opened on Wednesday at Pelican Bay, Mrs. Davis said the planting of breadfruit trees has profound impact on our environment, society, and our economy.

Listing the benefits, she said the planting of these trees in tropical countries like Southeast Asia, Pacific Islands, Dominica, Hawaii, Haiti and now Grand Bahama have environmental benefits. They are, Mrs. Davis continued, strong and resilient and can withstand strong hurricane winds, reduce soil erosion, and promote water conservation.

Mentioning health benefits, Mrs. Davis said, “The tree has been named the choice 'Tree That Feeds' by the Tree That Feeds Foundation. The fruit is gluten free, rich in nutrients, just about 100 grams of breadfruit, approximately half a cup, provides 25 percent of the required daily allowance for fiber.”  And she went on to list the other healthy advantages of breadfruit.

Describing it as “a nutritious goldmine” Mrs. Davis added that the use of breadfruit will be one of the shifts seen in the future.

Regular consumption of boiled breadfruit leaves lowers blood sugar levels, treats kidney damage, and lowers uric acid. Another benefit, the Prime Minister’s wife continued, is curing hepatitis, dental pain, and rashes.

Most importantly, she said, is looking at the need for food and food security. With the expansion of the economy of Grand Bahama and more visitors coming to the island, there will be more people to feed.

While these trees do not get as much attention as other major crops, they do supply an abundance of fruit with each tree yielding between 100 and 200 fruit annually for 50 years or more. It also provides a variety of foods for local and international communities.

“One tree can sustain a family of four for a decade or more,” said Mrs. Davis.

“Recent studies have shown that shift in climates will have little effect on breadfruit cultivation.”

She added, “Many countries combat food insecurity by importing foods like wheat or rice and that comes with a high environmental cost and high carbon footprint. With breadfruit however, these communities can produce food grown locally with a lower carbon footprint and lower environmental cost.”

As the breadfruit tree attracts certain wildlife, continued Mrs. Davis, this will help maintain a natural ecosystem and beautify the area, particularly in Grand Bahama.

“The economic benefits of planting breadfruit trees are wide and they create job opportunities, stimulate local economy through the production of breadfruit-based products, promoting agro-tourism in the region and making vodka,” she said.

In keeping with the country’s 50th anniversary celebration, Mrs. Ann Marie Davis, wife of the Prime Minister, on Friday, May 12 donated 50 breadfruit trees to Old Freetown Farm. The farm was devastated during Hurricane Dorian in September 2019 when they lost one employee and hundreds of animals. Owner Sissel Johnson said two breadfruit trees survived the storm but were destroyed during the cleanup. While addressing some of the attendees of Forum for Impact (FFI) Americas platform that was opened on Wednesday at Pelican Bay, Mrs. Davis said the planting of breadfruit trees has profound impact on our environment, society, and our economy. Listing the benefits, she said the planting of these trees in tropical countries like Southeast Asia, Pacific Islands, Dominica, Hawaii, Haiti and now Grand Bahama have environmental benefits. They are, Mrs. Davis continued, strong and resilient and can withstand strong hurricane winds, reduce soil erosion, and promote water conservation. Mentioning health benefits, Mrs. Davis said, “The tree has been named the choice 'Tree That Feeds' by the Tree That Feeds Foundation. The fruit is gluten free, rich in nutrients, just about 100 grams of breadfruit, approximately half a cup, provides 25 percent of the required daily allowance for fiber.”  And she went on to list the other healthy advantages of breadfruit. Describing it as “a nutritious goldmine” Mrs. Davis added that the use of breadfruit will be one of the shifts seen in the future. Regular consumption of boiled breadfruit leaves lowers blood sugar levels, treats kidney damage, and lowers uric acid. Another benefit, the Prime Minister’s wife continued, is curing hepatitis, dental pain, and rashes. Most importantly, she said, is looking at the need for food and food security. With the expansion of the economy of Grand Bahama and more visitors coming to the island, there will be more people to feed. While these trees do not get as much attention as other major crops, they do supply an abundance of fruit with each tree yielding between 100 and 200 fruit annually for 50 years or more. It also provides a variety of foods for local and international communities. “One tree can sustain a family of four for a decade or more,” said Mrs. Davis. “Recent studies have shown that shift in climates will have little effect on breadfruit cultivation.” She added, “Many countries combat food insecurity by importing foods like wheat or rice and that comes with a high environmental cost and high carbon footprint. With breadfruit however, these communities can produce food grown locally with a lower carbon footprint and lower environmental cost.” As the breadfruit tree attracts certain wildlife, continued Mrs. Davis, this will help maintain a natural ecosystem and beautify the area, particularly in Grand Bahama. “The economic benefits of planting breadfruit trees are wide and they create job opportunities, stimulate local economy through the production of breadfruit-based products, promoting agro-tourism in the region and making vodka,” she said.

Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation the Hon. Chester Cooper (centre) planted a Lignum Vitae Tree on LPIA Departure parking lot grounds, May 3, in observance of Bahamas Independence Jubilee year and for International Arbour Day.  The National Tree, Lignum Vitae, was planted by government agencies around the island in celebration of the nation's 50th anniversary year.  Planting the Lignum Vitae along with Mr. Cooper were Her Excellency Leslia Miller- Brice, chair of the National Independence Secretariat (second left); Dr. Kenneth Romer, Deputy Director General of Tourism, Investments & Aviation and Director of  Aviation (left); Vernice Walkine, NAD, Chief Executive Officer (second right); and Peter Rutherford, Managing Director, Airport Authority (right).