TOO MUCH TO LOSE
21.3.14
Volume 1, Issue 1
In this issue:
Welcome!- 2013 in a Nutshell
1
The Southern ‘Blues’
1
Story Title
2
Let’s Talk About Oil!- The National Debate
2
We l c o m e ! - 2 0 1 3 i n a N u t s h e l l
The year 2013 marked a significant point in the
official establishment and growth of Belize Coalition
to Save Our Natural Heritage. With a new office
and two new staff, work began immediately to build
the image of the Coalition as an organization for the
people, by the people, advocating for a properly
planned oil industry in Belize. Adopting the new
theme with a positive twist: “There is too much to
Lose...Let’s Properly Plan Our Oil Industry” the
Coalition was able to shed light on its main focus–
Belize’s petroleum industry. A new logo was created
by Mr. John Ical through a logo competition and all
promotional materials were re-branded to match the
new theme. In the schools, children were educated
on the importance of protected areas and the oil
industry through class presentations and movie
nights. The Coalition hosted community outreach
booths at many events throughout the Country, such
as the National Agriculture and Trade Show, Cashew
Festival, Corozal Art in the Park, Marketplace Expo,
Lobster Festivals, University of Belize Earth Day Fair,
and TIDE’s Fish Festival. Other community events
included participation in Parades and Community
Responsibility Events such as an Oil and Water
Summer camp, Donation of School Supplies and
Children’s Christmas Program. Members exclusive
events included a Mechanics of Oil Seminar and
Membership Meeting and Family Fun Day at St.
Herman’s Blue Hole. Community Outreach created
opportunities for communication of information to the
public through conversations about the oil industry in
Belize, importance of protected areas and the need for
public support. . In total, over 1000 persons were
reached at these events. More than 200 became
members!
Staff Overview:
Tanya Williams
Executive Director
E-mail: [email protected]
Judy Waight
Education Outreach Officer
E-mail: [email protected]
Rochelle Reneau
Communications & Research Officer
E-mail: [email protected]
-Rochelle Reneau (Communications & Research Officer)
LEGAL BATTLES:
In 2013, the Coalition, Oceana, and COLA
engaged in legal battles against the government regarding offshore petroleum contracts…
(READ ABOUT THIS ON PG 2)
Photo taken at TIDE Fish Festival in Punta Gorda
Southern ‘Blues’
The second half of 2013 brought along a new point of concern as the Coalition got word of plans to explore and
drill in Southern offshore and terrestrial protected areas. The first concern surfaced when the government of Belize
granted U.S. Capital Energy Belize Ltd. access to lands within the Sarstoon Temash National Park to begin
exploration. The proposed drill site is located 600 meters inside the park, which is a broadleaf, wetland and
mangrove forest measuring 41,898 acres. SATIIM’s Executive Director, Greg Ch’oc has warned that the area is
surrounded by water and there is no provision for an oil spill in the environmental assessment. It would be very
difficult to contain, and could lead to contamination and degradation of the other natural resources in the area.