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𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐢𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚 𝐉𝐚𝐜𝐨𝐛𝐬 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐌𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞

Fellow Sint Maarteners, I address you warmly on the occasion of Earth Day, an annual event celebrated on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection, conservation, and sustainability.

Allow me briefly to share with you the following quote: “Every decision you make impacts the environment. From what you choose to eat for dinner, what you wear, to how you commute to work…”

As Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and in particular as Sint Maarteners, we are well aware of the negative impact humans can have on the environment and in turn the effect this has on climate change. Though our own impact may be negligible from a global standpoint, locally we still feel the effects daily.

Notwithstanding our own experience with Hurricanes Irma and Maria, the past few years have seen several global crises that have had a crippling effect on the global economy including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on tourism and now the Russian-Ukrainian conflict and its impact on our import-based economy (increased costs of transport, travel, and energy). The detrimental impact of these seemingly unrelated incidents share one common thread: the impetus they all offer to be intentional about our move towards more sustainable development, inclusive of environment-friendly initiatives and energy transformation.

This week I am attending Earth X 2022, the largest environmental conference in the USA, where I am privileged to speak about the various initiatives that the Government of Sint Maarten is taking and to meet with stakeholders to help us realize these intentions by seizing the opportunities available to us.

The official theme for Earth Day 2022 is “Invest in our Planet”. As Government, we are being intentional and taking the steps to live up to this theme.

The Department of the Interior & Kingdom Relations (BAK) is working to implement the National Development Vision, streamlining the Sustainable Development Goals across the work of all Ministries. The Ministry of TEATT is working on modernizing our energy policy taking into account renewable forms of energy, new forms of sustainable agricultural projects, reducing our imports and playing our part in effectively reducing our carbon footprint. Finally, the Directorate of Foreign Relations is working to lobby the SIDS agenda on energy, climate, and concessionary financing at the international level to protect our national interests. This inter-ministerial work aims to support our transformational goals and to start to build today a resilient society for tomorrow.

I always believe in “practicing what we preach” and in so doing, I and many other citizens have stopped or minimized using single use plastic bottles and bags, and when possible shop and support local designers and farmers’ markets which underscores the possibilities for economic diversification and local empowerment in the face of rising import costs. My steps are small but imagine what we could accomplish collectively!

I challenge you to mark Earth Day 2022 by making a conscious effort to play your part to invest in our planet, by taking small steps to reduce your individual use of materials and products that are harmful to our environment.

Photo caption: Hon. Prime Minister Silveria E. Jacobs at EarthX 2022 Conferences in Dallas, Texas

𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐢𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚 𝐄. 𝐉𝐚𝐜𝐨𝐛𝐬 𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐭 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐗 𝐤𝐢𝐜𝐤-𝐨𝐟𝐟 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭

Dallas, Texas – On April 20, the Honorable Prime Minister of St. Maarten, Ms. Silveria E. Jacobs had the distinct pleasure of addressing the audience at the Women leadership in the sustainable fashion movement kick-off event at EarthX 2022. This is one of the events that Prime Minister Jacobs was scheduled to speak at during her working visit to the EarthX Forum in Dallas, Texas from April 20th until April 23rd. During the event, Prime Minister Jacobs wearing a print scarf and holding a clutch, both locally made by original St. Maarten designer Jolie Duzon, used the international platform to touch on the ways the world can prepare for a more sustainable future.

Prime Minister Jacobs addressed the audience expressing, “Our incessant need to keep up with every fashion trend; along with the undisputable negative effects of climate change and increasing environmental pollution has created the need for humanity to start thinking more along the lines of social responsibility and ecological consideration. Our love for fashion should not unequivocally mean that we should sacrifice our love and appreciation of our environment and the very air that we breathe. “Fast fashion” has corrupted the world of fashion and in so doing adversely affected our environment; but we can change this.”

By changing how we approach two key components of sustainable fashion; creation and consumption, we can change the impact on our environment, Prime Minister Jacobs indicated. Sustainable fashion is making waves in Latin America and the Caribbean. This can be seen particularly in communities where access to materials and large-scale manufacturing may not be as prominent as in more developed nations.

Prime Minister Jacobs highlighted the growing trend in St. Maarten and the rest of the Caribbean for upcycling used clothing, by altering, repairing, and even sewing original designs utilizing used garments. Historical examples of such upcycled garments culturally recognized throughout St. Martin (entire island), were referenced, such as the “Yaya and Tittah frock”. As we work to achieve sustainable goals, whilst embracing our culture and showcasing our local talent, we encourage our artists to utilize all forms of environmentally friendly avenues to express their artistry.

“I encourage you to choose eco-friendly fashion and ethical consumerism which is considerate to humanity and our environment that is vastly becoming unsustainable seeing that the fashion industry accounts for about 10% of damage to our environment. As such, I commend the many designers, creators, artists and entrepreneurs who have made the transition to sustainable and ethical fashion. I applaud you. It shows that clothing can be made morally, with natural materials, creating less water and air pollution, saving the environment and still be trendy,” Prime Minister Jacobs said as she addressed the audience in closing.

Photo caption: Hon. Prime Minister Silveria E. Jacobs at EarthX 2022 Women leadership in the Sustainable Fashion movement kick-off event in Dallas, Texas.

** St. Maarten to be profiled on an international level at EarthX 2022 **
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Today, April 18, the Honorable Prime Minister and Minister of General Affairs Silveria E. Jacobs is traveling to Dallas, Texas to attend a series of EarthX conferences with the aim of cultivating relationships and forming partnerships to advance advocates, investors, accelerators, and researchers on sustainable environmental activities. EarthX is led by the sustainable development goals (SDGs), including SDG 7 (renewable energy) which is a national goal of St. Maarten. Considering the current challenges with rising energy costs, such projects must be pursued in the interest of our people.

This year, Prime Minister Jacobs has been invited to deliver the keynote speech for the Island Resilience Forum to be held on April 22, allowing for St. Maarten to be profiled on an international level. Prime Minister Jacobs will also speak at the Women leadership in the sustainable fashion movement, the Global Youth Summit, the UN family offices for sustainable development summit, and the UN SDG media summit.

“The Government of St. Maarten has been a virtual participant at EarthX since 2019, however, our in-person participation at EarthX allows us the opportunity to engage and attract investors in public-private partnerships for possible projects needed for the country. As such, I take this time to thank the Department of The Interior and Kingdom Relations and the Department of Foreign Affairs for their efforts in forwarding this agenda for St. Maarten and invite the general public to tune into the conferences that will be aired live online, stated Prime Minister Jacobs.”

GridMarket is thrilled to announce that partner United States Cold Storage (USCS) has selected renewable energy service provider and independent power producer Catalyze to deploy a solar and storage microgrid at the USCS McClellan facility in California. USCS launched its partnership with GridMarket in 2019 to achieve corporate sustainability goals of 30% renewable energy supply by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050. GridMarket initially applied its digital, AI-driven portfolio evaluation tool and worked closely with the USCS team to select the McClellan facility for the microgrid pilot.

United States Cold Storage, GridMarket, and Catalyze announce cold storage facility microgrid project in McClellan, California The project marks the first contract signed in a planned portfolio-wide energy transformation strategy for United States Cold Storage...