Text Box: do, both have little or no impact on how we live, but both have a significant impact on how much carbon we generate and how much electricity you use and pay for. One solution is a retrofit, the other is an adjustment made by staff. ‘Turn it off’ is an anthem for Mustique and water heaters are no exception. All over the island as villas or individual bedrooms are unoccupied, quietly in a corner or behind a wall somewhere, the water heater dutifully cycles on and off heating water that will not be used before it is heated again by another cycle. It is likely, that each shower in each villa has its own water heater. Each water heater uses almost 5000 KwH per year. Turning off water heaters will make a Text Box: The greatest single electricity gobbling appliance on Mustique is the electric water heater. These appliances contain heat elements which cycle on and off to maintain a thermostat controlled temperature. A great idea, but one that we can vastly improve on. There are two things we can Text Box: noticeable reduction in your electrical consumption. A retrofit to solar water heat is now readily available on Mustique. MPM have researched, been trained and are ready to install and service solar heated hot water systems. The solar panels are highly efficient and in many installations are all but invisible. Back up systems of traditional water heat can be installed in the unlikely event that the sun does not shine on Mustique. These systems have been in use in villas on Mustique for the last few years and have proved to be a reliable and low maintenance source of hot water. Turn off your water heaters or install solar and help reduce emissions on Mustique. Text Box: The Power of the Sun Text Box: Taking Care of Sea Turtles

Lumbering on land, and gliding like great round goddesses of the oceans, sea turtles have long held fascination for humans. Revered in many cultures as representative of the creator, the sight of a sea turtle evokes excitement in all.

Ships logs from vessels anchored in Kingstown Harbour in the 19th century report a knocking on the wooden hulls that on investigation proved to be sea turtles resting at the surface. The populations were once so plentiful, sea turtles seemed as common as gulls.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Text Box: high pedestrian traffic, or when the eggs are not robbed as a delicacy for humans. Lighting is critical to hatchling survival. Nature programmed newly hatched turtles to scurry to the light on emerging from the nest in the sand. The brightest light is supposed to be the moon over the sea, but where we have built villas in view of our sandy beaches, those garden lights and night lights confuse the babies, and they dutifully head up the hills and to certain death the bush. It is VITAL to the survival of these remaining few turtles that all villas near our turtle beaches Text Box: reduce the intensity of their night lighting. There is hope that together we can help the recovery of these beautiful and innocent reptiles

Weighing over 200 kilos this female Leatherback prepares her nest a rare daylight appearance on Pasture Bay in 2006.

though stewardship of habitat, and understanding and appreciation of their beauty.

Of the four species of sea turtles present in the waters of Mustique, one is endangered (the Leatherback shown here on Pasture Beach in 2006) and the other three categorized as threatened species. Turtle numbers have decreased due to over hunting for shells and meat, destruction of eggs and nest habitat, drowning in fishing nets, collisions with motorboats, and pollution. Nature had provided turtles for humans to eat, but that was not considering hunters with speed boats, SCUBA and spear gun.

On Mustique, we can help the turtle by protecting the nests and hatchlings on our beaches. It is estimated that as many as 30 turtles will nest on Mustique annually. Those hatchlings will emerge from the sand only if their nests are not destroyed by vehicles on the beach,