Some events to look out for on climate justice, the environment, and the Caribbean

There are a few rather important dates in the summer calendar to keep in mind related to climate change, extractive industries, and more.

This week, Greenpeace USA will hold a hybrid press briefing in Kingston (Thursday, July 14 at 10:00 a.m. at the AC Marriott Hotel) as the International Seabed Authority (ISA) reaches a critical point in its deliberations on deep sea mining. Members of the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition will also be there. The ISA is set to decide the fate of the world’s oceans behind closed doors by fast-tracking regulations for the launch of the deep sea mining industry by July 2023 at its meeting in Kingston (July 18 – 29).

Now, voices are calling for a moratorium on deep sea mining. World leaders and parliamentarians want urgent action to prevent deep sea mining (including, most recently, France and Chile as well as several Pacific nations).

A lovely glass octopus observed by a remotely operated vehicle in the Pacific Ocean. (Photo: Schmidt Ocean Institute)

The ISA is charged with protecting the oceans as the ‘common heritage of mankind.’ However, it is now trying to open a vast new frontier of the global ocean commons to large-scale industrial resource extraction and has implemented severe restrictions on the participation of civil society, diminishing its engagement in one of the most critical discussions about the future of our oceans.

If you are interested in attending the briefing, please contact tbrooks@greenpeace.org. Those who wish to attend via Zoom will be sent the link.

Coming up soon (July 21) is a webinar on climate justice, facilitated by the Caribbean Climate Justice Alliance (which I joined recently). If you are interested in participating, do register at https://bit.ly/3bLMf6y The two-hour webinar will include a presentation by Malene Alleyne, Human Rights Lawyer and Founder of Freedom Imaginaries, followed by breakout sessions to discuss priorities for the Caribbean, including racial and gender considerations; identifying frontline communities; and developing strategies for advocacy.

The Caribbean Climate Justice Alliance, comprising civil society organisations, academia, creatives, and other non-state actors, seeks to engage its networks in collective action to promote climate justice in and for the Caribbean region; and to ensure that the voices and needs of the most vulnerable are taken into account to ensure an inclusive, environmentally sustainable and resilient future for the region.

August 22, 2022, is also a date to look out for. It appears that a court decision should be made on the injunction to prevent bauxite mining in the controversial SML 173 section of Cockpit Country. Here is the link to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) dated August 3, 2021.

We’re already looking forward to September. International Coastal Cleanup Day 2022 is back, and closer than you think! Mark your calendar for Saturday, September 17 and get involved! Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) is already gearing up for this big event in Jamaica, supported by the Ocean Conservancy.

ICC Site Coordinator Registration opens July 13 and closes on August 9; JET’s Annual Cleanup Volunteer Registration opens August 24 and closes September 6

Email JET at beachcleanupjamaica@gmail.com with any questions and stay tuned for more details.

Then, coming up later, the Virtual Island Summit 2022, organised by James Ellsmoor’s brilliant team at Island Innovation, kicks off (September 26 – October 2). It grows bigger and better each year, and registration is free! Last year’s summit had over 10,000 participants from over 500 islands globally, including of course Caribbean islands. Sustainability and resilience are two key words to keep in mind; the UN Sustainable Development Goals will guide the discussions. It is not just a “talk shop,” but the sessions are collaborative and interactive and there are many networking opportunities.

Stay tuned for more on all of the above! It’s going to be a busy summer.