Letter of the Day | Development without sustainability is a liability

THE EDITOR, Madam:

Jamaica is entering a defining moment in its development story. Across the island, from Kingston and Mandeville to Montego Bay and other coastal towns, mid-rise and high-rise residences are transforming skylines, hotels are expanding to meet global demand, and new commercial districts are emerging. These investments signal ambition, optimism, and economic momentum. However, they also highlight a truth we can no longer ignore: growth without sustainability is not progress, it is a liability.

Our water systems and reservoirs are already under visible strain. Reservoirs such as Hermitage and Mona now spend more time in critical zones than at comfortable levels. Yet, discussions of new developments often overlook the additional demands they will place on these finite resources. Droughts are becoming more frequent, rainfall patterns more unpredictable, and climate pressures more severe. At the same time, thousands of new housing units and hotel rooms are being added, each drawing from the same limited water supply.

This is not an argument against development. Jamaica must grow, our cities must be modernised, and tourism must thrive. However, responsible development requires responsible consumption, and every citizen, business, and visitor has a role to play.

We cannot continue believing that water tanks alone will protect us. Storage tanks merely reduce the inconvenience of intermittent lock-offs; they do not create new water. When tanks become the norm, they can mask scarcity, encourage excessive consumption, and weaken the urgency for conservation and investment in storage and treatment capacity. The result is a widening gap between what our systems can supply and what our lifestyles demand.

To sustain growth over the next five, 10, and 20 years, Jamaica must embrace a new development ethic grounded in efficiency, transparency, and shared responsibility. We need building codes that promote affordable water-efficient fixtures, rainwater harvesting, and grey-water reuse in large developments. Hotels and multi-family residences should adopt smart metering, leak-detection systems, and staggered tank-filling schedules during droughts. We also need stronger watershed protection, modernised infrastructure, and a national commitment to reducing waste, because every litre saved strengthens resilience.

Most importantly, we need cultural change. Conservation cannot be viewed as a seasonal inconvenience; it must become a permanent national responsibility. Developers, policymakers, citizens, and visitors alike must recognise that long-term prosperity depends on long-term resource stability.

Jamaica’s future depends on striking this balance. Let us choose it now, while we still have the opportunity to build a resilient, thriving, and sustainable nation for generations to come.

Patrick Brown

Pembroke Pines, Florida