In academia, we learn in order to make change with data and research. We have controls and variables we control, both in natural and social sciences. Even in the technical fields, it is important to know the impact of our actions. This is not always successfully translated in the real world, as we have seen with climate change. This is where the people on the ground, civil society, come into action because they are the ones to live with the impacts and consequences of actions by the decision makers, private sector and other actors in their physical location. I want to share some of my insights and the way I see us going forward with my friends in the Caribbean Climate Network.

Are you ready to dive into the exciting world of climate change advocacy in the beautiful Caribbean? Grab your sunglasses and let’s embark on a journey from education and awareness all the way to groundbreaking solutions and real-world implementation! As a well seasoned and somewhat overcooked youth advocate with 15 years under my belt, I’ve witnessed the power of knowledge and passion in driving positive change. And let me tell you, the Caribbean region is a hotbed of biodiversity and culture, making it the perfect place to champion environmental causes.

Picture this: crystal-clear waters, coconut trees swaying in the breeze, and a vibrant ocean full of marine life. The Caribbean’s natural beauty is a treasure worth protecting, but with climate change turning up the heat in the kitchen, it’s time to kick our advocacy efforts into high gear while we choke on the smoke plume that is steadily growing.

Now, you might be thinking, “where do we start?” To me, all begins with education and awareness. By reading and informing ourselves, similar to the ingredients in a recipe, about the impact of rising temperatures, sea level rise, and extreme weather events on our beloved islands, we can ignite a spark and bubble a pot of change in our communities. Now I have been trying this method for years, through NGOs, funded projects in schools, engaging youth advocates in their communities through training programmes, educational talks and presentations, free resources and even tying the impacts of climate change to their everyday lives. Nothing much has improved for the lives of these people through all the years of education and awareness building though. Where is the action? Where is the change? I have now moved on to adding an extra layer of flavour on top of the meal, the solution building. Tools can only go so far, we have to equip the people to make the changes and show them how to wield the weapons. But here’s the spicy kick—we can’t stop at awareness. It’s time to roll up our sleeves and transition from talking the talk to walking the walk. This means getting our hands dirty (in a metaphorical sense, of course!) and coming up with innovative solutions to combat climate change head-on while continuing what we have been doing.

From promoting renewable energy sources like solar power and wind turbines to implementing sustainable practices in agriculture and tourism, the possibilities are endless. Did you know that planting mangroves along coastlines can help protect against erosion and provide a habitat for marine life? did you know it isn’t just simply about planting mangrove, it’s about the right species of mangrove, tin the right orientation, with data to show that nature will take to the care and proliferation of this mangrove and ensure there are no other negative impacts that might be missed to the people, native species and economy of the neighbourhood? Talk about a tricky situation! We have to get each recipe right in order to make the whole meal a success. So, fellow advocates, let’s join forces and show the world that the Caribbean is leading the charge in climate action. Together, we can turn the pot and create a nature based, more sustainable future for generations to come. Remember, every small action adds up to a big impact! The Caribbean is powerful and maybe there is a lost recipe we must find again, the solutions are in the sun, sea, sand and soil, let’s spice things up!