Across Trinidad and Tobago, communities are increasingly facing the impacts of extreme heat, flooding, and prolonged drought; realities that are intensifying due to the climate crisis driven by global fossil fuel dependence. Most recently, Trinidad has suffered due to flooding that has affected the lives and routines of thousands, which has become a cause of concern for climate experts and activists who believe that this situation would worsen in the next years.Knowing that communities across the region are at risk now, regional organizations are looking to take action, like 350.org Caribbean who are leading a campaign calling on leaders to commit to urgent climate adaptation measures, drawing heavily on solutions rooted in Indigenous experience.

As a response to the effects being felt in Trinidad and Tobago, the Heritage Learning Resource Centre’s Living Learning Lab, led by Aleeyah Amanda Ali, is using Indigenous living systems as climate resilience solutions. Rooted in Warao and Kalina/Karina knowledge, these approaches emphasize using indigenous knowledge for water stewardship, biodiversity protection, and regenerative land practices that help communities adapt to rising temperatures, manage flood risks, and also restore ecosystems stressed by drought. 

The Heritage Learning Resource Centre’s Living Learning Lab’s work demonstrates that effective climate adaptation is not only technological, but deeply cultural and it is urgently needed to protect people in our region from the climate fueled risks that can cause disease, displacement, economic strain and loss of lives.

“For many of us, witnessing these escalating impacts is both urgent and deeply personal, especially when we know that our indigenous knowledge holds proven solutions, yet remains insufficiently recognized and integrated within national climate responses.” expressed Aleeyah Amanda Ali.  “I know that by reconnecting people, especially youth and women, to Indigenous knowledge and community-led action, communities would offer sustainable, locally grounded pathways for resilience across the Caribbean.”