Climate Network Guyana, a local arm of the Caribbean Climate Network, hosted a “Film Screening & Climate Conversation” in Georgetown on June 15, from 1-5 pm. This event was part of the “I Love the Caribbean” campaign, a regional initiative to celebrate our cultural and natural heritage while addressing the need for urgent climate action to protect these aspects of our lives.
The event featured the screening of two local films that explored the climate challenges Guyanese living along the Atlantic coast face. The films were produced in 1991 and 2023, showing how coastal communities have continued to suffer from the same challenges of rising sea levels and coastal erosion over hundreds of years. As the Earth’s temperature continues to rise, these threats are becoming worse. Guyanese are already losing their homes, farmlands, and freshwater supplies, causing significant challenges to food security, people’s health, and ultimately our survival.
Following the film screenings, an open space-style discussion was held where participants shared what they love most that could be lost due to climate change. These discussions were engaging and thought-provoking, highlighting the personal and communal stakes held in the climate crisis.
“Healthy and alive soil”, “water”, “farmlands to grow food”, “outdoor recreational spaces”, “cool temperatures”, “cricket grounds”, “traditions”, “our homes and feelings of safety” – are some of the things persons are afraid of losing to climate change if measures are not taken now to protect them.
The gathering acted as a platform for local youths and activists to connect to the broader campaign occurring across the Caribbean in 15+ locations, from June 14-16. “I love this campaign because it’s cutting straight to the point; one that drives lots of us in the environmental and activist space. There’s always a challenge in getting other people, our peers, to care about the environment in the same way that we do. But when we start to make connections to things that we love about the Caribbean, about Guyana, and how climate change will inevitably impact them, it begins to make it easier to see the connections,” said Hanan Lachmansingh, National Coordinator of Climate Network Guyana.
Climate Network Guyana, along with activists across the Caribbean, is calling on leaders to prioritise adaptation measures that benefit everyone. This means ensuring that communities on the frontlines, such as coastal communities in Guyana, are protected from future climate disasters so that we can have a healthy and safe Caribbean for years to come.
About the films
The Seawall: Tales of the Guyana Coast, directed by Ray Kril, is a 1991 film which weaves together narrative documentary, ethnographic and dramatic recreations to tell stories about Guyana’s coast and the battle of sea defence. Available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/4oAmJv6-A6A?si=8bgx2xD5iqya3_v2
Washed Away: People who help protect the Turtles are losing their Home, is a 2023 award winning documentary by Vishani Ragobeer highlighting the severe coastal erosion occurring at Almond Beach in the northwest of Guyana. This erosion is driven by climate change and is displacing residents and threatening the nesting grounds of endangered sea turtles. Available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/M78DnSzJB1Y?si=2LUm6bdLA_EozyjA