The Tribune

THE Coalition to Protect Clifton Bay and reEarth Director, Sam Duncombe, are partnering in their collective aims to save the environment of The Bahamas.

This is the second high-profile new member to join the Coalition since its launch, following the inclusion of the Lyford Cay Property Owners Association last week.

Speaking about joining the Coalition, Mrs Duncombe said: “I am excited to be a part of this new initiative and to share in common goals that will result in a win-win for The Bahamas and the environment. I see the Coalition blossoming into an umbrella organisation that can lend support, provide proven case studies, and offer legal and strategic direction to other environmental organisations with similar aims.

The coalition reunites Mrs Duncombe with several of the previous members of Save the Clifton campaign, Louis Bacon, and Bobby F Kennedy.

The Coalition to Protect Clifton Bay cites a broad range of environmental issues under its direction with a priority to continue the battle to save the historical and archeologically rich environs of the Clifton area from new threats in terms of oil spills, unchecked coastal development activity, over fishing and boating pollution.

Fred Smith, leading environmental lawyer and Coalition member said: “Sam Duncombe is the consummate environmental advocate! Her dedication and enthusiasm to environmental causes are legendary in the annals of Bahamian history. The integrity and passion of her commitment to a cause guarantees its success!

“The Coalition,” he said, “is thrilled that she will bring her energy, skills, knowledge and chutzpah to our advocacy and campaigns. Sam is an overwhelming force to be reckoned with, and I am delighted that we will be working together.”

reEarth has been an environmental watchdog of The Bahamas for the past 24 years. Formed by Mrs Duncombe in 1990, reEarth has been successful in addressing environmental, cultural, natural and biological issues that have demanded a focus on Government action.

In the early 90s, reEarth was successful in lobbying Government to stop long line fishing, which threatened to deplete indigenous fish populations, and in 1995 it was key to the passing of the Marine Mammal Protection Act to prevent the removal of Cetacean species from Bahamian waters.

Duncombe also galvanised public protest and environmental groups nationally and internationally in 1999 in a campaign to save Clifton from private development. This success later culminated in the creation of the Clifton Heritage Act which formed the foundation of the Clifton Heritage Authority and Clifton Heritage National Park, both of which function to manage the area to this day.

Fred Smith further stated: “We see this as the perfect union. Who could be better to direct our campaigns to success than Sam Duncombe, a key player in the original battle to save Clifton 14 years ago.”

Mrs Duncombe has worked passionately to educate the Bahamian public by speaking in public forums across the country. In January she created a blue print document for Governments to formulate a National Environmental Plan for The Bahamas – “A Living Future” which she intends to expand upon under this Coalition partnership. This document draws upon a life of work to lay down the natural laws that can protect, preserve, conserve and sustain the Bahama Islands into the future.”

Mrs Duncombe said she is “eager to get to work as there is so much to be done. I’d like to see the Coalition holistically embrace all organisations and campaigns that work towards a cleaner, more sustainable environment, including animal welfare groups, and conservation of our critically lacking resources, water, energy and food.”