Going Green 2020

BERMUDA’S FIRST GUIDE TO A GREENER LIFESTYLE cc GoingGreen

GoingGreen Priceless

thirteenth edition 2020

Safe or Scary?

Climate Change and Bermuda The most important living being Pass me on for a greener Bermuda

Going solar Are you recycling correctly?

Grow your own

GOVE R N M E N T O F BE B E R M U DA Ministry ry of Public Works

Make your own compost and have healthier soil.

The EarthMachine helps reduce your impact on the environment and saves you money while providing you with gallons of free compost.

Available exclusively through the Waste Management section of the Ministry of Public Works for $80.

Call 278-0563 or email recycle@gov.bm to purchase one.

GoingGreen contents Page 14 :ųååĹƉjþÎå Zurich introduces new initiatives

Contents Page 2 #trendinggreen Tips to help you go green Page 6 Solar Energy Bermuda’s largest solar installations Page 8 Grow your own Create your own vegetable garden

Page 10 Environment The destruction of woodlands Page 12 Safe or Scary The unsettled reputation of Roundup Page 13 Bees The most important living being

Going Green 13th edition 2020 Publisher: Ian Coles Director of Marketing: Lissa Fisher Art Director: Tim Parker Writers: Peter Backeberg, Annabel Cooper Published by Bermuda Media, 8 Par la Ville Road, Hamilton HM 11, Bermuda.

Tel: 441-292-7279. Email: hello@bm.bm www.bermudamedia.bm.

Page 15 Climate Change The implications for Bermuda Page 18 Recycling Government’s new actions Page 20 A day in the life Going green at Hiscox

Printed in the US on paper approved by the Forest Stewardship Council with mixed content Views expressed within are those of the respective contributors ERH RSX RIGIWWEVMP] WLEVIH F] XLI QEKE^MRI SV WXEǺ Associated Media: Bermuda Business Visitor, New Resident Guide, Your Future, Bermuda Real Estate Handbook, Building 'IVQYHE -SYWI ,EVHIR 0MXGLIR ERH 'EXL =SYV 4ǽGI MR Bermuda, Health & Beauty, The Bermuda Channel.

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GREEN Tops Ltd is demonstrating a strong commitment to adopting a greener workplace and we encourage other companies to do the same for our environment.

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T. 292-5500

F. 292-6200

E. info@topsltd.bm

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Going Green 2020

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GoingGreen environmental impact

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olar Gard’s window ďŹ lm rejects heat and keeps interior temperatures stable, allowing you to cut cooling costs and energy consumption. By adding this ďŹ lm to your windows, you can reduce

cooling costs by up to 30%.

Costs Installing Solar Gard’s ďŹ lm on your windows costs a fraction of replacing them, making this one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce energy consumption

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and increase the comfort inside your home or ofďŹ ce. On average, installing this window ďŹ lm is four times less costly than installing new windows.

Carbon Cost The carbon cost of one square metre of Solar Gard’s window ďŹ lm is less than 10 kilograms. By comparison, a low-e, wood-frame window has a carbon cost of approximately 444 kilograms per square metre.

Greenhouse Gases According to independently veriďŹ ed research, Solar Gard’s window ďŹ lm saves 100 times more greenhouse gas emissions from entering the atmosphere than are used or created during the ďŹ lm’s manufacturing.

UV Protection Solar Gard’s window ďŹ lm ďŹ lters visible light and blocks more than 99% of the harmful ultraviolet (UV) light associated with premature aging and skin cancer. With an SPF of 285+, this ďŹ lm can also protect furnishings, carpets and other household items from fading and damage due to UV exposure.

Solar Gard’s ďŹ lm is also a good choice for your ofďŹ ce, whether your goal is to reduce operating costs, decrease carbon emissions or create a more comfortable and productive environment for your staff.

A building’s windows offer one of the best opportunities for a solid return on investment for energy savings. Solar energy enters through windows and causes heat to build up inside the building, leading to uncomfortable hotspots and an increased need for air conditioning.

With proven heat-rejection properties, Solar Gard’s ďŹ lm can help your business reduce energy for cooling by up to 30%. The ďŹ lm will keep interior temperatures more stable and reduce the need for air conditioning while moderating peak usage and allowing your cooling system to operate more efďŹ ciently.

Less costly than installing new windows and more efďŹ cient than low-e coatings at rejecting solar heat, Solar Gard’s ďŹ lm transforms standard ofďŹ ce glass into highperformance windows.

Going Green 2020

Cool your space green Wayne Clapham of HVAC Shack explains why a SEER rating is important

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n average of 35% of electricity consumption in homes goes to air-conditioning. So how can you save money and help the planet?

One way is to invest in a high SEERrated air-conditioner, but what is a SEER rating?

SEER is the abbreviation for Seasonal Energy EfďŹ ciency Ratio, and it is calculated from the cooling output during a typical coolingseason divided by the total electric energy input during the same period.

It is important to distinguish that it is the average calculated over a season and is ďŹ gured out under laboratorysimulated conditions. It is likened to the mpg (miles per gallon) ratings on cars, and, although mpg can vary depending on how you drive, it does offer a clear indication of the fuel efďŹ ciency possible.

You can have the highest SEERrated air-conditioner on the island, but, if it has dirty ďŹ lters, blades, or coil surfaces, it will not achieve those energy savings. Regular maintenance is critical for continued high efďŹ ciencies.

You will ďŹ nd that higher SEER-rated systems come with a higher price tag.

But often, within two to three years, the initial extra expense is recovered through lower running costs that not only save money but also contribute to a greener, cleaner planet. www.hvacbda.com. Tel: 234 6227 Going Green 2020

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GoingGreen solar energy

The largest solar installations in Bermuda

The solar installation by AES at Dockyard is the largest on the island

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olar power is expanding rapidly in Bermuda, with hundreds of homes and businesses having invested in solar energy and thousands more ready to join them.

AES leads the way in the clean energy revolution in Bermuda, with more solar PV capacity installed than all other local providers combined.

It has been responsible for all of the largest commercial installations as well as more than 120 homes. Its installation at Dockyard for WEDCO is the largest on the island, followed closely by Gorham’s, Lindo’s, and Gosling’s — all AES projects. Other major AES commercial installations include Saltus, Belco, Greybar Building (Mill Creek), Vallis Building, Bermuda Veterinary Services, and the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum, and Zoo. AES is also the chosen provider for residential properties, with many Bermudian homeowners choosing to tap into the proven cost savings of solar energy provided by AES. Its installations cover the whole Island, from east to west, from small installations on the roofs of modest

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homes to larger properties and grand mansions.

Why are so many wise Bermudians choosing AES? The answer, says Tim Madeiros, founder and CEO of AES, is because not all solar panels are created equal, and AES is the agent and distributor for SunPower panels, the world’s most efďŹ cient and powerful panels. “SunPower holds the world record for power and efďŹ ciency, as tested by the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and in fact keeps breaking its own world record,â€? explains Madeiros. “So our clients either generate up to 50% more power or require up to 50% less roof space when compared with other solar panel options on the market, simply because of the advanced SunPower technology.â€?

The other big advantage AES has over competitors is the SunPower 25year warranty. “Other manufacturers may offer a 25-year warranty on power output, but SunPower includes a 25-year warranty on workmanship as well,� explains Mr. Madeiros. “In other words, the SunPower warranty

The largest commercial solar installations on the island supplied and installed by AES WEDCO 585kW ,SVLEQƜW O; 1MRHSƜW O; ,SWPMRKƜW O; EPXYW O; BELCO O; ,VI]FEV 'YMPHMRK O; :EPPMW 'YMPHMRK O; BVS 15kW Aquarium 11kW covers not only the power output but the entire panel. So if the panel somehow loses its structural integrity, which hasn’t happened in my 12 years of installing SunPower systems in Bermuda, it’s completely covered by the warranty. It’s a combined warranty – power and workmanship. You truly get a 25-year warranty that includes shipping to Bermuda and the labour to replace. No other manufacturer offers this coverage, and no other company in Bermuda is able to offer this value.�

Going Green 2020

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GoingGreen sustainability

Grow Your Own

Growing your own food and making the most of what Bermuda produces in the wild reduces your overall carbon footprint through less transport pollution and packaging waste.

Chris Faria, founder of Agra Living, explains how we can become more environmentally JVMIRHP] F] FIMRK QSVI WIPJ WYǽGMIRX

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ermuda’s climate is excellent for year-round growing.

Produce such as bananas, cassava, carrots, beans, leeks, tomatoes, and kale can grow through all the seasons, with many other delicious options available at different times of the year. But, if you are new to gardening, or your attempts so far haven’t “born fruit,” how do you go about growing your own produce?

Faria explains that, to get the most out of your garden, you need to care for the soil, and the best way to this, in his opinion, is the biointensive method.

“You double dig the soil,” he says.

“Loosen the soil down 24 inches, when possible.

You want to loosen enough soil so the roots can penetrate it. What’s happening underground is just as important.”

Many gardens and outdoor spaces in Bermuda, however, don’t have the luxury of deep soil.

If that is the case, you should build up. “I’ve built up a terrace using plywood and 2x4,” he says. “If you live in a house on an old quarry, for example, they just put down 4 inches of top soil, so you need to build that life back up in the soil.

Also, adding compost is important for a healthy garden.”

For the compost, he advises layers of carbon material, followed by green materials and then soil. You should repeat that layering until it’s about 4 feet high. Carbon materials are

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brown, dry materials, and avocado leaves or small, cut up parts of Chinese fan palms work well for this layer. The green materials can be kitchen scraps and weeds.

Faria emphasises that plants are like humans, and, for the best growing results, you need to minimise stress. This is because they have amino acids that attract insects and disease, so the happier the plant, the more the pests will stay away.

“After you’ve raised a healthy, successful seedling and transplanted it into the garden, make sure to have the right space apart,” he says.

“Plant in groups instead of lines.

Carrots will yield better if in a grouping instead of a line because they take care of each other. Grains have to be planted in a group for cross-pollination. If plants are

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grouped, they maintain more moisture and protect each other from the wind that dries the soil out.”

The only exceptions to the grouping method, he adds, are zucchini and tomatoes, which can have fungal problems.

“After transplanting, it’s also good to put shade over the plants for about a week and that helps them transition into the new growing area.”

Another way to look after your plants and minimise stress, he advises, is to observe and talk to them. “We look to each other to learn about food. The real teachers are the plants. It’s good to talk to your plants and observe them. They will tell you what they want. If their leaves are wilting, you know they need water. If leaves are discoloured, it’s a nutrient deficiency. If you spend time with them, you can see the different biological processes happening. You can also see everything flourishing.

Because we’ve lost this connection to the growing food knowledge, we plant Going Green 2020

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the plants then don’t know what to do after that, so they stress out.”

If you don’t have the luxury of much outdoor space, you can still grow fruits or vegetables in containers and even in the sunny areas of your home, but you need to create the right-sized space.

“Tomatoes need a 10-gallon pot for one plant,” he says. “Window boxes are good for herbs, and in the cooler months you can grow greens such as lettuce, in window boxes.”

Summertime is good for growing indoors he adds because you get more light inside the house; for this, he recommends herbs because they are easier than food crops, especially mint, basil, or English thyme.

While growing your own fruit and vegetables is healthy and good for the planet, Faria says that, if you want to take it one step further and be more self-sufficient, it’s also worth considering grains.

“If you only plant vegetables, you’re not going to get enough nutrients for a healthy diet. The grain amaranth is very good to grow in Bermuda. It doesn’t need superGoing Green 2020

fertile soil. You don’t need to grind it up like other grains. Getting the grain off of the plants is the tricky part, but it’s worth the lesson.

“Amaranth is similar to quinoa, and you cook it like quinoa and make flour out of it,” he explains. “You can have it in the morning for breakfast.

You can use it like muesli.”

He adds that, historically, cornmeal or flour corn would have been used in Bermuda as well as sorghum, which is a good summertime grain and one that grows easier than corn. Other high-calorie crops he recommends growing are sweet potatoes, parsnips, Irish potatoes, garlic, and salsify.

Go Wild If you want to eat fresh, “free” produce, you don’t even have to grow it yourself. Bermuda provides delicious wild fruits and edible plants if you know what to look for.

Faria does warn, however, that you should take precautions when eating from the wild and make sure you know what you are eating.

Most Bermudians are familiar with

and enjoy loquats and papaya, but Faria says you can also find feral peaches on the railway trail. Fennel can be spotted by its ferny tips, and you can eat nasturtiums, wild mustard, purslane, which comes up in a lot of sunny locations during the summer, and callaloo, which is a nutritious weed that can be found in agricultural fields: “In the spring, they grow up and once they get to 6 to 8 inches, you can pull up the whole plant. You can cook up the leaves like spinach,” he says of the callaloo plant.

The growing options for Bermuda are hugely varied so, if you want some more ideas of what to plant and when, look at the vegetable planting guide on the Bermuda Government website: https://www. gov.bm/vegetable-planting-guide.

For extra help in preparing your garden for planting and taking care of your crops, you can view introductory videos on Chris Faria’s facebook or Instagram pages: www.facebook.com/ GrowBiointensiveBermuda/ or @ agra_living.

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GoingGreen environment

Why do we Environmental groups express their outrage at the operation of a quarry at Judkin Lane, destroying the limited woodland reserve and open space remaining in Bermuda The Bermuda National Trust, March 2020 This is a most disturbing photo.

The Bermuda National Trust was opposed to the industrial quarrying in this environmentally important area. The independent planning inspector agreed in his 20-page investigation report, recommending that approval of the plan be overturned.

To highlight a paragraph from the inspector’s report: “This setting, in the midst of lands designated in the 2008 and draft 2018 Bermuda Plans as having special environmental value as open space, woodland and agricultural reserve, and adjacent to a major natural area that is home to a range of wildlife

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including endemic species, is one of environmental significance in Bermuda.”

The inspector further noted: “No proper analysis is undertaken of the proposal as a fit use of the subject property in its environmentally sensitive context, nor is any information or analysis put forth that substantiates the asserted need for quarried stone in Bermuda.

Moreover, no argument is made that sets out any case for why demand for quarried stone and roof tiles is such an overriding need in Bermuda that a property zoned … (with) conservation area designations should be the site for this use. In fact, no analysis of the conservation values of the site

and its context adjacent to nature reserve lands is presented in the planning assessment at all.”

Every few years, the Bermuda Plan is reviewed, debated, and agreed upon by numerous individuals with professional knowledge, expertise, and experience. In this case, without data or analysis, the Bermuda Plan has been overturned … at a time when climate change is acknowledged as a serious threat to the world’s security, health, economy, and natural world … at a time when global leaders are urging the planting of billions of trees to help offset the damage.

The trust is concerned about the precedent this sets for the future of Bermuda’s protectively zoned areas.

Going Green 2020

environment GoingGreen

allow this?

Bermuda Audubon Society, March 2020 The Bermuda Audubon Society was disappointed with the minister’s decision to ignore the recommendation of the independent inspector to deny the Judkin Lane quarry application. We do not believe that the minister’s decision showed sufficient regard for the environmental value of the site or struck an appropriate balance with the long-term need to protect our few remaining areas of open space, especially the larger areas of woodland such as this area in the vicinity of Mangrove Lake.

Going Green 2020

Once a wooded hillside like this has been excavated, there is no going back.

We are concerned about the precedent this sets for the development of land-zoned open space, with Woodland Reserve and Arable protection. It would seem that the excuse of a national shortage of slate was used to allow the quarrying of a protected hillside to a footprint that matched a separate (as yet unconsidered) application for a 6000-sq-ft house, with a pool and ancillary structures on the site. Such a structure would never have been allowed under

the Draft Bermuda Plan 2018. It remains to be seen whether that application is now granted on the basis that the site is no longer an area of natural woodland but an excavated quarry.

The ongoing piecemeal loss of the remaining areas of open space in Bermuda poses a real harm to the well-being of the entire community – not to mention the natural beauty on which our tourism product is based. Given that loss of woodland contributes to global climate change, this can also be seen as part of a much wider global emergency.

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GoingGreen environment

Safe or Scary?

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oundup, the weed killer, able on is widely available store shelves in n Bermuda, yet Monsanto, the producer roducer of Roundup is facing more ore than 40,000 0 at the herbicide e lawsuits claiming that ther serious causes cancer and other health issues. everal court There have been several ted States, cases won in the United with juries awarding eye-watering amounts, including an $80 million rnia man judgment to a California ave him nonwho said Roundup gave a, a former Hodgkin’s lymphoma, groundskeeper was awarded $289 g the herbicide million after blaming er, and $2 billion n for his terminal cancer, to a couple who had sustained p that they said exposure to Roundup agnoses. led to their cancer diagnoses. ngredient in Glyphosate is the ingredient Roundup that is said to be harmful to humans. It is the most widely used ed States, to not herbicide in the United ants and grasses only kill broadleaf plants ific crops. but also to ripen specific ational Agency In 2015, the International cer, part of the for Research on Cancer, sation, carried World Health Organisation, out an assessment off glyphosate d that it is risks, and announced i to t humans.” h ” “probably carcinogenic However, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) say it is probably not giving people cancer. In 2019, it stated that it finds “no risks to public health when glyphosate is used in accordance with its current label” and that “glyphosate is not a carcinogen.”

US Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue says, “If we are going to feed 10 billion people by 2050, we are An alternative to Roundup is to create your own “natural” weed killer • 1 gallon vinegar • 2 cups Epsom salt • ¼ cup Dawn dish soap Just mix and spray.

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going to need all the tools at our disposal, which includes the use of glyphosate.”

Despite that, the use of glyphosate is banned in many cities and counties in the United States, and every state has some form of regulation or restriction around its use. To date, 28 countries around the world have introduced a total ban or a phasing out over the next few years.

A ban was introduced in Bermuda in 2015 but was subsequently relaxed a year later.

So how widely is Roundup used in Bermuda?

“I can categorically state that no Roundup or other glyphosate products are used on our farm,”

Amaral of Amaral says Carlos Amar Farms. “Roundup is primarily used and corn — crops on wheat, oats, a we don’t grow in Bermuda. It’s not typically used on vegetables, even in the US. And we ccertainly don’t use it vegetables or anything here on our vege grow.” else that we grow Tom Wadson o of Wadson’s Farm have all says that local farmers far agreed not to use voluntarily agree is used for Roundup. “Roundup “Roun feed crops, such as corn and soy,” he says, “so we do don’t need to use it here. But one of the t effects is that, in all likelihood, it is i in the food chain, and we’re probab probably consuming it in the meat and oth other food we import.

What I don’t und understand is why would anyone wa want to risk using it? Just look at the research and the number of lawsuits. lawsu There’s really no point in spray spraying Roundup when lives are at stake. stake.” dire The former director of Environmental Pr Protection for Government, Dr. Tom Sleeter, says he has read resea research papers showing Roundup is adver adversely affecting the seagrass in Florida’s Florid Gulf of Mexico.

“As far as I know, no one is researching that here, but if Roundup R is being d in i Bermuda, B d there’s a real danger used that it can make its way through rainfall runoff, into our water lens and the sea, and then potentially damage our delicate ocean environment. Also, once it’s sprayed into the air, it can go anywhere. There’s plenty of research to support the fact that Roundup has no place in Bermuda. It should not be sold and should not be used here.”

Bayer AG, owner of Monsanto, the manufacturer of Roundup, is reportedly considering stopping selling its weed killer in retail stores, as it attempts to resolve the issues caused by thousands of lawsuits. Some large US stores, such as Costco, have already taken the initiative and withdrawn Roundup from its shelves. Will Bermuda retailers follow their lead?

Going Green 2020

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The most important living being on Earth?

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n a recent meeting of the Royal Geographical Society of London, The Earthwatch Institute declared the answer to that question is the humble bee. Why the bee? Because 70% of the world’s agriculture relies on bees to pollinate the plants, thus allowing the plants to reproduce.

Albert Einstein is famously quoted as saying “If the bees disappear, humans would have four years to live.”

However, the bee is also on many wildlife and science lists as an endangered species. Some estimate that the global bee population has decreased by up to 90 percent in recent years due to pesticides and deforestation.

Bacardi, through its single malt whiskey brand Aberfeldy, is supporting a drive, called Barrels and Bees, to ensure the bee population thrives. This will see hundreds of bee hives set up across the world, including here in Bermuda at Bacardi’s world headquarters.

The hives will be managed and maintained by Wild Island Farm.

Douglas Mello, managing director of Bacardi’s Bermuda office, says, “The installation of beehives by Aberfeldy at our global headquarters

Going Green 2020

is one of the many ways we give back to the environment and help drive greater awareness of the role we can each play in protecting wildlife and natural resources.”

Bermuda has a long history with the European Honey Bee, as it was the first place in the New World to receive bees, which arrived on the Island in 1616.

The island has been an excellent host for the honey bee, helping locals to establish agriculture via essential pollination services and providing the sweetest honey yield agriculture can provide. Our revered Bermuda honey, due to its unique blend of nectar collected from wild flowers from trees, shrubs, and coastal habitats, is unlike honey from anywhere else in the world.

Bermuda’s bees have historically benefited from the Island’s geographic isolation. Many of the diseases that have plagued bees in other parts of the world have not affected Bermuda. This isolation means that, historically, Bermuda had a colony loss rate of only 5% annually compared with other places, which typically saw 30% – 50% losses due to diseases and other environmental stressors. That all changed, however,

in 2009 with the Varroa Mite – an external mite that weakens bees and, if left unchecked, decimates entire colonies. Between 2009 and 2010, the island lost an estimated 80% of its kept bee colonies.

Thanks to the efforts of Bermuda’s beekeepers, we are starting to see growth in the bee population. But environmental stressors, such as hurricanes, are continually putting pressure on Bermuda’s bees, as the flora and foliage they depend on is wiped away.

Human activity, such as continued development of protected woodland and overuse of pesticides and insecticides, also adds continued strain on our bees.

What can you do to help? Beefriendly trees and plants should be preserved and planted in order to help provide food for our bees.

Reduction in unnecessary pesticides and herbicides is also critical. If you find an unwanted bee colony, please call a beekeeper for live removal and not an exterminator.

You can also enquire with Wild Island Farms about its “Hive Hosting” for businesses or homeowners.

For more information on bees in Bermuda, visit www.bees.bm 13

GoingGreen environmental impact

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Zurich Bermuda is on a QMWWMSR XS QEOI MXW SǽGI QSVI environmentally friendly by introducing several new initiatives

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t began by carefully reviewing the operations in its kitchen and café, from where it offers a light breakfast and a full lunch for staff.

Disposable and single-use paper

Sustainability for our future.

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plates, paper coffee cups, and plastic cutlery were replaced by china and silverware.

Single-use water bottles were also removed from the offices and meeting rooms. Instead, staff were offered their own 24-oz stainless-steel water bottles, which they can refill from either the larger Pure Water coolers or filtered water from a faucet in the kitchen, with drinking glasses also available.

There was a little pushback from staff initially, but once a PowerPoint presentation was shared with them showing just how much plastic and paper was used in the office and the long-term value of making these changes, this convinced the sceptics, and it wasn’t long before habits were changed and the entire team was on board.

One of the most significant changes was to the way the staff at Zurich print documents. Formerly, almost every person had a printer on his or her desk. To reduce the volume of printing and paper, and to change the mindset about printing, those individual printers have now been removed, and only the two large and more sophisticated printers have been installed in two stationary rooms. Staff can send print jobs to these central printers, but print jobs won’t be released until a swipe card is used in the printer — the same security swipe card that staff use to access the building.

A further initiative is the removal of almost 100 trash cans throughout the offices in favour of centralised trash and recycling bins. With a new bin liner being used in the old individual trash containers each night, Zurich estimates this could save approximately 25,000 bin liners a year. Staff are still allowed to keep a trash can close to them if requested, but only for dry trash where a bin liner is not required. Wet or damp trash is to be taken to the central areas.

Zurich says that this is just the beginning of making its office greener, and more initiatives are being planned.

Going Green 2020

climate change GoingGreen

Will we change before the climate forces us to?

Peter Backeberg investigates the implications of climate change on Bermuda

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f the COVID-19 catastrophe showed us anything (and it showed us a lot), it is that expert warnings and the suffering of people in far-off lands are not sufficient enough to change most people’s behaviour. We need to feel a threat much closer to home before we take action.

The pandemic also illustrated that planning, looking a little farther ahead than Friday night’s dinner party, can make a major difference in the face of any disaster.

This is precisely what climate change activists have been advocating for years – change our behavior now, while we still have some level of control, and make plans for what the experts warn is heading our way. And while the Coronavirus has been described by some as a bullet train, arriving quickly and in devastating fashion, climate change is a more insidious problem, slow moving, difficult to definitively see (or feel), and somewhat theoretical.

Instead of a freight train, it is more like tsunami, by the time you see it, it’s too late; therefore, it is much better to plan ahead.

Here in Bermuda, scientists and activists are examining the particular

Going Green 2020

risks we face and preparatory actions we can take in the face of climate change. The government, through the Regulatory Authority’s Integrated Resource Plan (or IRP), has also begun looking forward to minimising our input of greenhouse emissions and improving our energy independence.

As one of the most isolated and interdependent countries in the world, we would be wise to heed the warnings and plan accordingly. There may even be some opportunities to get ahead of the curve, which sounds way better than trying to flatten it.

According to Dr. Annie Glasspool, a specialist in biodiversity, strategic planning and environmental conservation, the primary risks to Bermuda come from rising sea levels, rising temperatures (both air and sea), stronger storms, increased intensity of rainfall, and increasing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and oceans. The predicted changes in these conditions will directly threaten life as we know it in Bermuda.

Food and Supplies Security Watching items fly off the shelves as a hurricane approaches Bermuda, or in the lead up to the coronavirus

“lockdown,” illustrates our reliance on imported food and other goods.

According to research provided by the Bermuda Climate Action Network (CAN), a newly formed organisation promoting awareness and community involvement in climate solutions, 1 C° in sea surface warming leads to Atlantic hurricanes that are on average 16 knots stronger, while globally hurricanes are moving 10 percent more slowly, meaning greater impacts over land. Climate modelling also shows an increase in hurricane activity in our region – Bermuda has seen more major storms in the last 20 years than the previous 50.

“The overarching impacts of stronger storms are likely to be associated with damage to our seaports, or to the container fleets supplying us, or to US seaports as well as the impacts to the whole food supply chain overseas,” says Dr. Glasspool, whose concerns extend beyond stronger storms. “If we plan, we can, to some extent, mitigate the effects of these physical changes on our Island, but our influence beyond Bermuda is limited, which is why supply chains should be a concern.”

Presently, there is a growing trend of people producing their own 15

GoingGreen climate change at producing 85 percent of food and choosing local our energy from renewable produce where possible. sources by 2035, is such a Experts suggest that this is significant development. a useful mitigation strategy; “Bermuda has made however, like elsewhere some positive steps in the world, a changing toward renewable energy climate threatens local food production with advances production, too. in solar,” says Mr. Kriendler, “I think Bermuda should )V &RRMI ,PEWWTSSP who is also the managing push for more local food director of BE Solar. “We production,” says CAN need to balance that member Stuart Kriendler. with offshore wind, so “Every house should have a that we can have greater climate change garden like reliance on renewable the victory gardens used energy from wind in the during wartime.” winter and solar in the And while Dr. Glasspool summer. This model for agrees that strengthening adaptation would bring local food production is an &RRI -]HI environmental, social, important step, climate and economic benefits. change will likely make Economically, the amount of dollars this increasingly difficult: “In terms we are currently exporting for oil is of local agricultural production, huge.” high summer temperatures and Of course, sea level rise and unpredictable rainfall patterns flooding from rain could have already result in a lull in crop impacts beyond the distribution production through the summer of energy with threats to low-lying months, while milk production land areas as well as the viability of also tends to be lower from June to our land and seaports. In building September. Rising temperatures the new airport terminal, designers associated with climate change will raised the site 4 metres to reflect only exaggerate these challenges.” modelling of 100- and 500-year maximum surge levels, and the Power Supply building itself was engineered to Bermuda’s energy dependence is withstand winds up to 175 mph. exacerbated by the particular threats In terms of existing infrastructure, of climate change. According to the predictions by the Intergovernmental experts warn that parts of Hamilton may be under threat, and planning Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), for that eventuality is critical. A global sea levels will rise by warm eddy in the Gulfstream in approximately one to three feet by 2017 produced unusually high tides 2100, depending on the extent to that flooded low lying areas and which carbon emissions decrease. gave Bermuda a glimpse of what the In addition to this, forecasts of future may hold. stronger storms also include more “As the sea level rises, land, homes, intense rainfall from slower-moving and infrastructure will become storms. As an example, when inundated,” says Dr. Glasspool. “I Hurricane Dorian stalled over the wouldn’t presume to suggest how Bahamas in 2019, it dumped 36 we determine the critical point inches of rain; further, according to at this stage, but, clearly, robust CAN, an event like this would cause infrastructure is essential to our significant flooding and interrupt business in low areas like St. George’s survival. The point at which sea level rise impacts these areas in large town square, the airport runways, measure depends on how well we and the Pembroke canal basin, plan and ensure our infrastructure is including BELCO headquarters. designed to accommodate the rising BELCO’s vulnerability is one of the sea level.” reasons Bermuda’s IRP, which aims 16

Tourism, the Economy, and the Environment How Bermuda’s economy is impacted by climate change is multifaceted and complex. For instance, our re/insurance industry is a significant contributor to researching and modelling climate behavior as it tries to anticipate financial products that can protect its clients. It is quite possible that climate change creates opportunities for re/insurance companies while also changing the products and services it offers.

Meanwhile, as a destination sought for its natural beauty, degradation to our ecosystems could hurt tourism demand. Rising sea levels will have an impact on the size and stability of our beaches, while hurricanes disrupt both air and cruise ship arrivals. Rising sea temperatures, which also contribute to rising sea levels, present a threat to our coral reef system, which is an obvious draw to visitors.

“Increasing sea temperatures may cause the corals to expel the algae that live within them, causing the corals to bleach and ultimately die,” explains Dr. Glasspool. “Warming temperatures have also been linked to more disease in corals. But a healthy coral reef system doesn’t just depend on corals. Rising temperatures may also affect the myriad of other organisms that collectively support the coral reef system. For example, there may be more diseases in fish, the whole food chain may become disrupted, invasive species may thrive, or there may be more harmful algal blooms.

“However, warmer waters may also encourage a shift in the paths of migratory species, so we could see more fish such as tunas and wahoo.

Some of our reef fish may also benefit from a longer breeding season.”

Other parts of our ecosystem will also be under threat from climate change impacts, including polluting our inshore waters through water runoff from increased rainfall, deeper waters preventing adequate sunlight for our already declining seagrass beds, and increased carbon dioxide Going Green 2020

climate change GoingGreen in the ocean could raise ocean acidity impacting all marine life.

Getting Ahead of the Curve At present, most climate activists agree that humans are reacting too slowly to the growing threat of climate change. As we have seen from the COVID-19 pandemic, at least part of the inaction is driven by apathy and misinformation.

Convincing people to act today is, in some ways, as big a challenge as is the threat from climate change itself.

“Climate change is complicated to explain and has a wide range of far-reaching effects that cross many sectors,” says Anne Hyde, a member of CAN. “When a person is worried about how they are going to pay rent, it is difficult for them to feel any connection to climate change. However, we cannot expect the rest of the world to solve this global crisis while we do nothing.

We need to get a move on with our own plan, like 192 nations are doing around the world. Bermuda’s new IRP is certainly a step in the right direction, and we need to keep that momentum going.”

In a 2008 study for the Bermuda National Trust, Dr. Glasspool highlighted the economic contribution of our natural environment, writing: “Our coral reefs directly support the livelihoods of local fishermen to an estimated value of $4.9 million each year, and they provide recreational and cultural value estimated at $37 million per year. Our reefs also provide an important defence against hurricanes. This coastal protection service has been valued at a staggering $266 million annually.”

Recognising the economic value of our environment may be what spurs us to protect it – and therefore ourselves.

“I think if we remind ourselves of these ‘free’ services that our environment provides us, and realise there are likely many more we have yet to understand, appreciating this should indeed be a key driver in our approach to climate change action,” says Dr. Glasspool.

Going Green 2020

Bottled Water that’s Better for Bermuda Bermuda Waterworks explains why its bottled water is an excellent choice for those concerned about our environment

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he bottled water industry was going green long before the term became popular. Through its home and office segment, the industry has demonstrated a significant impact on reducing pollution through the repeated use of its bottles until their life cycle is completed.

Bermuda Waterworks manufactures bottled water in reusable 3- and 5-gallon containers.

The company repurchases used bottles in order to encourage clients to return them in good condition for a full credit on their next transaction.

Empty bottles should only be refilled with Pure Water. They are not meant to hold trash or other liquids such as drink mixes — a popular choice at picnics. A bottle that has been used for drink mix

cannot be reused by Bermuda Waterworks. The company encourages clients to contact them if they need rejected bottles for any sports or fundraising events.

Bermuda Waterworks’ most popular water cooler is Energy Star rated. These coolers help residents and businesses reduce their energy bills, and can help make a difference for the environment.

This is because products that earn the Energy Star prevent greenhouse gas emissions by meeting strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the US Environmental and Protection Agency.

These energy efficient coolers are available in room temperature/cold and hot/cold models. The company also sells water-dispensing equipment that do not require any electricity. There is the very popular dolphin pump, where water is manually pumped out of the bottle.

There is also the compact cradle and valve that sit perfectly on any counter. The ceramic crockpot is another decorative option. All of these models dispense water at a pleasant room temperature.

Bermuda Waterworks also provides piped metered water, 100% of which is manufactured by reverse osmosis. This process requires electricity. However, over time, new and energy-efficient equipment has been installed in order to reduce our consumption of fossil fuels. The company encourages residents to use its utility water wisely as a top-up supply. A new self service vending machine has been installed. It dispenses Pure Water and Pure Ice. Clients can bring their reusable empty bottles and purchase water.

Clients can even reuse their cap if they wish. Going green made easier with budget friendly options.

For more than 85 years, Bermuda Waterworks has manufactured water to meet the island’s growing needs. The company will continue to do its part in making water production as green and efficient as possible.

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GoingGreen recycling

Government upgrades recycling initiatives Bermuda’s TAG and other recycling programmes get a boost thanks to new thinking. Vanese +PSSH ,SVHSR 2 G IHYGEXMSR ERH IRJSVGIQIRX SǽGIV [EWXI QEREKIQIRX I\TPEMRW

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n these challenging times, it’s refreshing to provide positive factual information worth sharing. Many residents in tiny Bermuda are doing their part to help ďŹ ght climate change by participating in Bermuda’s TAG (tin, aluminium, glass) and other recycling programmes.

Over the past year, the team at the Material Recovery Facility (MRF), aka the Recycling Centre, has been as busy as bees at its Harrington sound location. Household TAG recyclables, lap-top computers, computer towers, hard-drives, mobile phones, and air-conditioners have been arriving there from households and businesses, being processed for shipment and leaving our shores destined for markets in the USA. In the USA, these items

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become commodities that are further processed, going on to de-manufacturers and metal smelters to become new consumer goods, destined once again for

consumption in the United States or Bermuda. For example, an aluminium can destined for recycling is collected from a home in Bermuda, taken to the MRF, and

Reduce Your Impact Anne Hyde, executive director for Keep Bermuda Beautiful 0'' TVSZMHIW WSQI ZEPYEFPI WYKKIWXMSRW SR LS[ XS recycle your trash

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educe, reuse, recycle. We have all heard those words. Even so, how many of us really think about what they mean? We usually don’t pay attention to what, or how much, we throw away. It’s gone you know, to that place – “away� – and we no longer have to think about it.

But how much trash we create and how we dispose of it can have a big impact on the environment and Bermuda’s well-being. Cut down on the volume of trash that our waste management facilities have to deal with. Reduce the amount of trash you create by avoiding using

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single-use plastics for meals. Use washable plates and cups instead.

If something is still useful but no longer wanted, give it away instead of throwing it away. Let someone else use it. Switch to reusable water bottles, coffee mugs, and shopping bags. Use reusable containers to store leftovers or pack a lunch. Start recycling tin and aluminium cans and glass bottles and jars. When you recycle, you are saving that material as a resource to be used again, which cuts down on the need to extract new raw material from the ground. Tin and aluminium are shipped and sold

in the United States. Glass is crushed and used locally for drainage or grading at construction sites. Do the little things. Each person’s actions Going Green 2020

recycling GoingGreen sorted and bundled by type through an automated process. Similar materials are compacted into bales, loaded onto a flatbed truck, taken to the docks, and shipped to a USA port. From the port, these materials are driven to the government’s recycling contractor who smelts the metals into sheets. These sheets are readily converted right back into new cans.

Allan Douglas, the man who leads the MRF team, has made great strides in improving the recycling process since taking over three years ago. He has worked to improve existing shipping methods for recyclables, leading to greater retention of revenues garnered for these commodities. By moving away from the constraints of a 20-foot shipping container to packing metal bales directly onto a flat bed, he has eliminated the size constraints of the previous container system.

Douglas is also passionate about glass reuse. With no market for glass in the United States, it is imperative to find novel ways to reuse glass on-island. To this end, Douglas has collaborated with Solomon Wallace, the agronomist responsible for renewing the golf course at St.

A bale of aluminium cans prepared at Material Recovery Facility ready for shipping overseas

Regis. Together, by using tonnes of crushed glass, they have created better drainage on tee decks and golf greens on the course, reduced Bermuda’s carbon footprint by decreasing the need to use imported materials for this project, and saved money for the contractor. Glass has been tested for use in a host of horticultural applications where it has proved safe as a drainage medium. Collaboration between the government and Gorham’s is also in the works to re-engineer the football field on St. Johns Road using crushed glass to improve drainage. To help with Bermuda’s shortage of roof slate, there is also another avenue for glass reuse in Bermuda, i.e., Slate 2.0. This tested and approved process will use glass processed at the MRF, along with concrete and sand, in a process patented by Mason and Associates.

The finished eco-friendly slate product will help to save open spaces in Bermuda by reducing the need for additional quarries, reduce

the island’s reliance on importation of materials from overseas, and provide a ready market for the MRFs crushed glass product.

To stimulate interest in and participation in Bermuda’s TAG recycling programme, Mr. Douglas has also given presentations and tours to schools and other groups. He enthusiastically entertains students by using creative recycling signage and shows-off his own special on-island reuse of glass, i.e., his interactive food garden at the MRF. When asked why it’s important to recycle, Allan says that he understands it’s difficult when living on a tiny island in the middle of the Atlantic to see that small changes we make can have a global impact. But, he adds, because we are so isolated, we have more control over what’s imported and consumed, meaning we can directly have a greater impact on the planet’s future. The future of recycling in Bermuda looks bright thanks to Allan Douglas and his team at the MRF.

How Can You Reduce Your Impact?

Make a few small changes and be a big help to the environment

1. REDUCE the amount of trash you create Skip using #singleuseplastics, use washable plates and cups instead Buy in bulk, avoid single-serve packaging

2. REUSE containers, cups and shopping bags Use a #reusable container, water bottle, coffee mug and grocery bag Remember to take your reusable cup or bag when you go out

3. RECYCLE tin, aluminum and glass Place your T.A.G. #recycling items in a blue bag Dispose of all waste responsibly

count; in other words, they all add up. The people who make the biggest difference are those who do the little things consistently.

Going Green 2020

Keep Bermuda Beautiful, Registered Charity #26 Get in touch 295-5142, office@kbb.bm Volunteer Donate Support

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A day in the life SJ E KVIIR SǽGI The Hiscox Re & ILS Bermuda Green Team explains the changes it’s making to reduce its carbon footprint

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t Hiscox Re & ILS, we take our role in the world seriously and want to play a responsible part in society. We’re committed to keeping our carbon footprint down and a firm believer that being eco-conscious doesn’t have to be difficult.

Our Green Team in Bermuda, which started in 2010, is focused on helping our colleagues to make simple changes at work and home. So what does a day in the life of a green office worker look like? Something like this: 6:30 a.m. Time to get up. My hot water heater timer is set to start running at 6, so I take a hot shower. I make sure to turn the water off while soaping up – it hasn’t rained in a while, and our tank is low.

7:30 a.m. I pack the family lunches, using reusable containers and the least amount of disposable waste.

8 a.m. I drive into work, dropping off my partner and kids on the way, using the most efficient route to use less fuel. I park on the edge of town and walk to the office to avoid sitting in traffic. My colleagues travel to work 20

in many green ways – some ride their pedal bike, some walk to work, and some even run.

8:45 a.m. I buy a fair-trade coffee in my re-usable insulated mug from my favourite coffee shop. I get a yummy chocolate chip muffin as well but don’t bother with a plastic bag.

8:55 a.m. I arrive at the office and walk up the stairs instead of using the elevator. It’s a bright day. The office lights are dimmed or turned off to make the most of the sunlight.

9:55 a.m. I’m thirsty. I get a glass and fill it up with filtered sparkling water – no need for plastic bottles or cans.

10 a.m. I have a meeting over video chat with my team in London. It’s an annual review of our methodology.

Last year, the team flew over here, but we have realised how great our VC system is. This time we saved carbon miles and did everything with our conference facilities.

11:30 a.m. I’m ready for more coffee.

I refill my mug at the office machine, which grinds the beans instead of using plastic pods. The grounds need

to be emptied. I dispose of them in a special bucket so they can be collected by colleagues who use them for their gardens (or for DIY coffee face scrub).

12 noon. Someone hands me a paper contract. I scan it into our system and recycle the original in the confidential document recycling bin. We recycle all of our paper this way. I ask my colleague to send me documents electronically next time.

In this paperless world, I still need my notebook. However, I use a wooden pencil or a pen made from recycled water bottles.

12:30 p.m. Before I leave for lunch, I turn my computer on sleep mode so that less power is used while I am away from my desk. For lunch, I brought leftovers but feel more like a fresh fish sandwich. I leave my leftovers in the fridge for tomorrow.

I choose local fish for my sandwich.

On Mondays, I go meatless – eating vegetarian or vegan is a great way to lower my carbon footprint.

The shop tries to give me a bag, napkins, and plastic utensils, but I say “No, thank you.”

Back in the office, I grab some juice from the large glass bottle in the fridge. There is no need to have individual bottles; even if they can be recycled, they use more material and energy to produce, ship, and store.

I check the bin as I go back to my desk. There is hardly any rubbish in it.

Going Green 2020

environmental impact GoingGreen Good work, green office! Bins used to overflow after lunch with plastic bags, containers, cutlery, too many paper napkins, and drink bottles – but not anymore. Many people now refuse bags and single-use cutlery and even bring re-usable containers to fill at the buffet and salad bar, choosing to go to shops that allow them to weigh and use their containers. Today, a few colleagues have even brought in a meal to share for lunch and are using the crockery in the kitchen.

1:25 p.m. With a full belly, I wash my hands using our reusable soap dispenser and opting to use the efficient hand dryer rather than paper towels.

1:30 p.m. I am preparing a presentation and have decided to show it on the screen instead of printing handouts.

1:45 p.m. Despite my paperless intention, I forgot that I printed a memo earlier – oh no! Luckily, our printer doesn’t print anything unless we key in our personal code. We have saved so much paper and ink because

of this. No more wasted documents.

2:30 p.m. It’s my colleague’s birthday.

Rather than bringing in the usual prepackaged cake, he has baked his own with Bermuda carrots. Yum! 4 p.m. The office Green Team meets to organise our next park clean-up with Keep Bermuda Beautiful (KBB).

KBB clean ups are such a great teambuilding exercise.

5 p.m. Time to leave. I get the car and pick up the family to go home. On our way, we stop at the grocery store.

We try to get as much local food and produce as possible and otherwise concentrate on food sourced close by.

I choose blueberries from the United States instead of ones from Chile.

We also try to choose foods in less packaging or buy bulk – and of course we use our own bags.

6 p.m. We are home, and it’s dinner time. We put all vegetable peelings in the compost and freeze our leftovers for a hearty meal next week when we don’t want to cook. We also take in the washing, which we hung up outside this morning to save on tumble dryer

energy. It’s been a nice sunny day with a breeze, so everything is crisp.

7:30 p.m. It’s nearly dark, and the kids keep switching on the lights, but we remind them to switch them off when not needed.

8:30 p.m. The kids are in bed, so we plan the weekend. On Saturday, we would like to start a small vegetable garden; it would be fun to grow some basil and tomatoes. On Sunday, my partner and I are going out with some friends, perhaps lunch at a farm-to-plate restaurant, a run on the railway trail to train for May 24, or a trip to south shore to snorkel on our amazing coral reefs.

10 p.m. Dishes are done, and we’re ready for bed. I turn on the fan and open the windows to get a nice breeze. We have saved a fortune on our electricity bill by saving the airconditioner for the peak of summer.

Lights off at the end of another green day.

We challenge you to see what actions you could incorporate into your day.

COMMITTED TO OUR GREEN AGENDA.

Hiscox Ltd, 4th Floor, Wessex House, 45 Reid Street, Hamilton HM 12, Bermuda T +441 278 8300 F +441 278 8301

Going Green 2020

www.hiscoxre.com

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Committed to a sustainable path As one of the world’s largest multiline property and casualty insurers, Chubb has a responsibility to control our ecological footprint in the communities in which we work and live. By introducing numerous environmental initiatives, we strive to reduce our impact on the local environment and are committed to promoting a healthy and sustainable planet.

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The Chubb Building in Bermuda is LEED Platinum® and is using the LEED Dynamic Plaque™ to manage its building performance.

The LEED Dynamic Plaque measures and displays current building performance data spanning energy, water, waste, transportation and human experience. Learn more at LEEDon.io. ©2020 Chubb. Coverages underwritten by one or more subsidiary companies. Not all coverages available in all jurisdictions. Chubb®, their respective logos, and Chubb. Insured.SM are registered trademarks.