Antigua and Barbuda
My subject representing Antigua and Barbuda as voted for by the Environmental Awareness Group of Antigua and Barbuda, is Dr Brian Cooper who was chosen by the the group for over thirty years of dedication and hard work on environmental projects in the country
Geography
Antigua and Barbuda is an island country in the West Indies in the Americas, lying between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. It consists of two major islands, Antigua and Barbuda separated by 63 km (39 mi), and smaller islands (including Great Bird, Green, Guiana, Long, Maiden, Prickly Pear, York Islands, Redonda). The permanent population number is about 97,120, with 97% being resident on Antigua. The capital and largest port and city is St. John's on Antigua. Lying near each other, Antigua and Barbuda are in the middle of the Leeward Islands, part of the Lesser Antilles..
Source Wikipedia
Environmental issues
Like other island nations, Antigua and Barbuda faces environmental issues that include pressures on water resources and natural ecosystems, including that caused by invasive species. Deforestation to meet the Islanders needs is also a more general issue
Existing issues on the island are further made worse by climate change, where, like other island nations affected by climate change, sea level rise, and increased weather variability, have a greater effect.
About Brian
Background
Brian grew up in England, studied Botany then went to California to study plant nutrition and soils, moved to Trinidad where he was an environmental volunteer and then moved to Antigua in 1986 where he has been a founder and an integral part of the Environmental Awareness Group
EAG Development
Brian has helped to guide the EAG from originating as a group of concerned citizens to taking action through habitat restoration and the rewilding of critical ecosystems. This has led to many projects such as the Offshore Island Conservation Program, Turtle and White Crowned Pigeon conservation and establishing a Marine Managed Area
Antiguan Racer Snake
Brian was at the sentre of the program to save the last 50 critically endangered Antiguan Racer Snakes from extinction. Through the eradication of rats and other invasive species the program has seen the snakes rallying in numbers up to over 1000 snakes with knock on effects of an increase biodiversity in offshore island bird and botanical life
Please click on the link below to hear more of Brian’s story and watch the painting process of his portrait