Pulse of the Caribbean

#54 Caribbean News Round Up Episode 3 Week of June 2

• Pulse of the Caribbean

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Caribbean nations are boldly stepping into a sustainable future, with groundbreaking developments across renewable energy, healthcare, and environmental conservation taking center stage in today's regional news.

  • OECS  Advancing Geothermal Energy Across the Region 
  • Apple purchases 100,000 Guyana carbon credits for $15 each as part of its environmental sustainability efforts
  • St. Lucia makes history with first advanced brain tumor surgery using neuro-navigation technology 
  • Dominica nominated for 2025 Condé Nast Travelers Readers' Choice Award 

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Speaker 1:

This is the Pulse of the Caribbean Caribbean News Roundup. Now today's Caribbean News Headlines.

Speaker 2:

This podcast is brought to you by Victory Run Walk, sponsored by the US Virgin Islands Department of Tourism. Register now for the 5K, 10k and Half. Mar, labor Day weekend, st Thomas, us Virgin Islands, and Diamond Key. Marina, yosvendike, british Virgin Islands, home of Foxy's Taboo and Gateway to the Bubbly Pool, a natural jacuzzi and hidden gem. Welcome to the Pulse of the Caribbean. News Roundup, episode 3 for the week of June 2nd. Here's a look at what's making Caribbean headlines. We start our report at the OECS.

Speaker 2:

At the 17th Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum in Miami, florida, the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, the OECS, reaffirmed its leadership in geothermal energy. Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum is the Caribbean's largest annual clean energy event, bringing together government leaders, utilities, investors and entrepreneurs to accelerate energy transition. Director of Sustainable Energy, judith Ephraim-Schmidt, led the OACS's commission team on a high-level panel discussion held by clean energy equipment supplier, enerx International. The session titled Geothermal Power. Finally, within Reach featured the Honorable Mark Brantley, premier of Nevis, karen James, grenada's Minister of Climate Resilience, the Environment and Renewable Energy, fred John, managing Director of the Dominica Geothermal Development Company, and Sarah Malenzi, head of Marketing and Communications at Enerx International. At Enerx International, the panel discussed geothermal energy emerging viability as a clean, reliable Caribbean baseload power source. Dominica's geothermal plant due to finish by December and St Kitts Nevis drilling indicated significant sector momentum In 2026, grenada will drill for exploration. Innovative financing mechanisms, mechanisms and regional collaboration were also discussed to speed deployment and reduce project delays. The forum underlined the relevance of the GeoBuild program in documenting lessons gained and strengthening local skills to benefit future geothermal projects from regional knowledge and best practices.

Speaker 2:

In related news from the OECS on the GeoBuild program, the Caribbean Efficiency and Green Energy Building Projects, a transformative regional initiative to accelerate the adoption of sustainable energy solutions and energy efficient practices across public buildings, was launched at the kickoff meeting by the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, oecs's Commission, grenada, st Lucia, guyana, the World Bank and the Caribbean Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency. 131.8 million US dollars or 356.2 million EC Five-year project will empower countries to lead in sustainable energy and its advantages through grants and loans. Nearly 500 buildings will be modified with energy-saving measures and 50. 1,670 kilowatt power of solar photovoltaic will be installed For over 30 years. The OACS's commission has pooled procurement to help member states access important pharmaceutical, medication and medical supplies more efficiently and cost effectively. The Caribbean Efficiency and Green Energy Building Project builds on this experience. By applying this paradigm to sustainable energy, the OACS Commission hopes to leverage aggregated demand to create economies of scale and cheaper solutions for the region regional energy efficiency technology market, create local green jobs and improve public and private stakeholders' green energy management and maintenance skills. As the OACS begins its 2025-2035 Decade of Action for Sustainable Energy Development, the Caribbean Green Buildings Initiative marks a major milestone in its sustainable development efforts. The Caribbean Green Buildings Initiative marks a major milestone in its sustainable development efforts. The Caribbean Green Building Initiative expands concessional funding to advance regional integration and support the OACS's vision of a resilient, affordable, low-carbon future for all in the region.

Speaker 2:

Our next stop is Guyana. American company Apple has bought and retired 100,000 Guyana carbon credits as a part of its environmental sustainability efforts. According to its 2025 environmental progress report, the corporation bought 100,000 Guyana carbon credits, becoming the second major buyer, apple reported. The jurisdictional program includes all 18 million hectares of forests in Guyana about 85 percent of the landmass and benefits from its historically low deforestation rate while funding low carbon development priorities. Dr Pradipa Bulanuth, senior Director of Climate and Red Plus, stated that the credits were purchased for 313 million Guyanese dollars at 15 US dollars per credit. Since April 2020, the company has been carbon neutral. Carbon credits are traded permits or certificates that allow the holders to emit a specific amount of carbon dioxide or another greenhouse gas. Countries and companies who exceed their restrictions can buy carbon credits from low emission countries like Guyana. Apple has also bought and retired carbon credits from Colombia and Kenya.

Speaker 2:

In other news from Puerto Rico, according to Puerto Rico's Chamber of Food Marketing, industry and Distribution, mita's 2025 Consumer X-Ray, puerto Rican consumers are prioritizing essentials and cutting back on recreational spending due to inflation and potential federal aid cuts. Before the MIDA Conference and Food Show 2025, the study found that all monthly household spending categories increased, except entertainment, which declined 5%. News is my Business reports. Chamber of Food Marketing, industry and Distributions President Felix Aponte said concerns about new tariffs is widespread, adding that 82% of consumers think tariffs will hurt the local economy and 61% say they will suffer financially. This year's survey comprises of 1,600 interviews, that's 1,300 in person, 250 online and new beverage, snack, pet and frozen food consumption modules. During the Chamber of Food Marketing, industry and Distributions Conference and Food Show 2025, to be held June 19-21, the full findings of the report will be revealed Next up.

Speaker 2:

St Lucia makes history with its first advanced brain tumor surgery. After this, get ready for Victory Run Walk 2025. Registration is open for the Virgin Islands 5k, 10k and and half marathon. Register at VictoryRunWalkVIcom.

Speaker 2:

Whether you're a Caribbean national or just want to learn more about the Caribbean, you've got the right podcast. In our newest feature, the Pulse of the Caribbean podcast interview segment, episode number 50, meet Israel Peterson, culture bearer and teacher, as he shares the rich tradition of Mukajumbi stilt dancing and its deep cultural significance in the US Virgin Islands. His passion for preserving this African heritage shines through as he recounts his personal journey from childhood fascination to becoming a master practitioner. Pulse of the Caribbean podcast Listen online on our website, pulseofthegribbeancom, or your favorite streaming platform. This is the Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup, episode 3, for the week of June 2nd.

Speaker 2:

Surgery employing neuro-navigation and ultrasonic aspirator technology was done by Cana Neuro CEO and chief neurosurgeon, dr Kirby Sidney. Cana Neuro, in partnership with Tapion Hospital, performed a series of groundbreaking brain and spinal surgeries, cementing St Lucia's excellence in brain and spine care and setting a new Caribbean standard for neurosurgical care. Neural Navigation, or GPS for the brain, lets surgeons map and navigate fragile brain structures in real time, reducing risk and improving precision. St Lucia's base Cana Neuro the brain, spine and nerve center provides neurosurgery and neurodiagnostic services. Cana provides cutting-edge brain, spine and nervous system care, minimal invasive neurosurgery and personalized treatment. And here's our final note note Dominica was nominated again for the 2025 Condé Nast Travelers Readers Choice Award, an international survey that lets readers vote for the best resorts, hotels, locations and other travel-related categories.

Speaker 2:

A Discover Dominica press release stated that the 2025 awards voting period ends on June 30, 2025. The island is featured in both the countries and islands categories, indicating its growing popularity as a tourism destination. The Condé Nast Travelers Reader's Choice Awards are one of the longest-running and most prestigious travel awards. Over 600,000 readers take the survey annually. Award nominees must meet a minimum response count and high rating. Dominica tourism officials urge supporters, residents and visitors to vote and share with friends, family and professional networks to increase voting turnout. They say each vote boosts Dominica's global profile. The 38th annual Reader's Choice Award winners will be announced in Condé Nast's Travelers November issue and broadcast on its internet and social media channels in October 2025. To vote on the Condé Nast Voters Awards, you can visit wwwcntravelercom. Forward slash story. Forward slash vote. Readers choice awards.

Speaker 2:

This podcast is brought to you by Victory Run Walk, sponsored by the US Virgin Islands Department of Tourism. Register now for the 5K, 10k and half marathon. Labor Day weekend St Thomas, US Virgin Islands, and Diamond Key. Marina, yosvendike, british Virgin Islands, home of Foxy's Taboo and Gateway to the Bubbly Pool, a natural jacuzzi and hidden gem. Have news and information you'd like to share with us. Send news releases to news at pulseofthecaribbeancom. If you have an interest in sponsoring our podcast, email us at biz B-I-Z at pulseofthecaribbeancom. This has been your Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup, episode 3 for the week of June 2nd. I'm Keisha Blyden. See you next time.

Speaker 1:

For more Caribbean news stories and information, visit us online at pulseofthecaribbeancom. If you found value in this podcast, be sure to like and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and thank you in advance for choosing Pulse of the Caribbean Caribbean News Roundup as your source for Caribbean-centered news.