Tag: climate resilience

“The greenest since Independence”: Jamaica Labour Party defends its environmental record

November 6, 2021

As COP26 (the Climate Change Conference in Glasgow) winds on, and Caribbean leaders make wonderful speeches at the podium, the Jamaican Government has been feeling a little pressure at home from some Jamaicans (including myself) who are concerned that the speeches don’t quite match up to activities on the ground. Such activities would include, of … More “The greenest since Independence”: Jamaica Labour Party defends its environmental record

The Caribbean Regional Climate Conference: June 1 – 2, 2021

May 30, 2021

The Caribbean Regional Pilot Program for Climate Resilience (PPCR) is hosting a free online conference on June 1 and 2 with the University of the West Indies (UWI), supported by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Climate Investment Funds (CIFs). You can register here. I am not quite sure whether the theme is “Look … More The Caribbean Regional Climate Conference: June 1 – 2, 2021

Open Letter to the Prime Minister of Jamaica: Youth Request Greater Commitment to Environmental Sustainability

November 20, 2020

Nine youth groups, headed by the Jamaica Climate Change Youth Council, have sent an Open Letter to the Prime Minister of Jamaica, Most Hon. Andrew Holness. Here is the text, which they shared online today (November 19, 2020). Congratulations to the driving force behind this, #Youth4PuertoBueno. Dear Prime Minister: On behalf of Jamaicans who have … More Open Letter to the Prime Minister of Jamaica: Youth Request Greater Commitment to Environmental Sustainability

Caribbean Environment Week: Stepping Up to a Sustainable Future

November 5, 2020

Just take a look at the photos and videos from the past three or four weeks, as Tropical Storms Zeta and Eta hovered on our doorstep: eroded hillsides sliding onto roads and blocking them; large (and deep) flooded areas, potentially creating major health problems; we even had a “mini tornado” in Portland. We can no … More Caribbean Environment Week: Stepping Up to a Sustainable Future

Post-Zeta the Question is: How much longer will we continue neglecting our environment?

October 26, 2020

Tomorrow, or maybe the next day, we will start picking up the pieces. Tropical Storm Zeta has passed us by, but according to the Meteorological Service of Jamaica, is “interacting” with a tropical wave. Sort of a double whammy, created by an intermingling of systems. There is a flash flood warning, and the rains may … More Post-Zeta the Question is: How much longer will we continue neglecting our environment?

The Climate Innovation Challenge: an Opportunity for Green Entrepreneurs NOW

October 9, 2020

I am putting this out there because the deadline for this amazing opportunity launched by the Jamaica National (JN) Foundation is this coming Sunday, October 11, 2020. Yes, you’ve got three days. “Climate change is impacting our region now,” says climate change consultant Asia Williams. Temperatures are rising on land and sea; sea levels are … More The Climate Innovation Challenge: an Opportunity for Green Entrepreneurs NOW

Climate Change Project Funding Opportunities for Civil Society Organizations

March 8, 2020

I must try to share more of these kinds of opportunities online, as not everyone sees emails and social media posts. Here are a couple of funding opportunities for community-based organizations in the Caribbean. Thanks to Katherine Blackman from the Climate Change Division at the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation for sharing this.  … More Climate Change Project Funding Opportunities for Civil Society Organizations

Communities in St. Vincent and the Grenadines Build Response to Climate and Disaster Risks

February 28, 2020

Disaster preparedness and risk management is so critical for our fragile island states, in these uncertain times of climate change. Yes, we have heard it all before, but it bears repeating. Many of our sister islands face specific challenges – including volcanic activity. St. Vincent and the Grenadines are an example. With a small population, … More Communities in St. Vincent and the Grenadines Build Response to Climate and Disaster Risks

IDB Champions Caribbean’s Transition to Resilient Renewable Energy at CREF 2019

October 15, 2019

The Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum (CREF) is taking place in Miami this week. The Inter-American Development Bank is a major sponsor and will host sessions on the Blue Economy and on electric vehicles. I am not completely “sold” on the Blue Economy; I think the Caribbean may have already missed the boat, and where exactly … More IDB Champions Caribbean’s Transition to Resilient Renewable Energy at CREF 2019

More From the Front Lines: Research to Prevent Flooding in the Upper Rio Minho Watershed

October 4, 2019

As mentioned in the previous blog post, work goes on, steadily, to understand more about, and find solutions to the many challenges climate change confronts us with. The parish of Clarendon is unusually vulnerable to floods. Disaster risk reduction is high on the list. In recent heavy rains, we saw photos of main roads turned … More More From the Front Lines: Research to Prevent Flooding in the Upper Rio Minho Watershed