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Environment

Did Dominica Build Back Better?

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The night of September 18, 2017, forever altered the development trajectory of the Commonwealth of Dominica. Hurricane Maria’s 160 mph winds decimated the island, stripping vegetation, flattening homes, and crippling infrastructure. The devastation was catastrophic: 31 lives lost, thousands homeless, and damages amounting to USD $1.3 billion dollars – over twice the nation’s GDP. Dominica’s government, under Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, vowed to rebuild as the world’s first climate-resilient nation, creating the Climate Resilience Execution Agency for Dominica (CREAD) to lead this ambitious mission. This documentary looks at the first few days of having been on the ground after Maria hit and now – seven years later – to find stories of resilience amidst ongoing challenges.

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“Just Transition” Climate Change considerations within CARICOM

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The concept of a just transition originated with the United States labour movement of the Nineteen-Seventies and broadened as labour organisations forged alliances with environmental justice groups starting in the 1990s. 

Initially, the concept emerged in response to increased regulation of industries deemed heavy polluters. The literal meaning of the words are central to a full appreciation of the concept.  

A “transition” refers to the process/period of changing from one state/condition to another. It is the definition of “just” that requires clarification. 

“Just”, in this context, is the adjective referring to “based on or behaving according to what is morally right and fair (Righteous)” or “being what is merited (Deserved)” or “Legally correct (Lawful).”  The word “just” is not intended to be used as the adverb meaning “only” or “simply.”

The Caribbean Community is no stranger to transitions, especially those that have been decidedly unjust. These SIDS that include the mainland territories of Belize, Guyana and Suriname have had to make political transitions from colonialism to independence, and economic transitions from plantations to private farms and Industrialisation by Invitation. The more recent transition is environmentally driven around issues of climate change.  The concept of a just transition with respect to climate change implies that all those citizens disadvantaged by adaptation and mitigation actions will be buffered through socio-economic programmes that protect livelihoods.   

Just transition has been described as fostering healthy renewable economies and communities whilst moving away from fossil fuel dependence and extractive industries.

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Is Barbados Keeping Cruise Tourism and Marine Protection on an Even Keel?

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Cruise passengers wait anxiously to disembark. When the doors finally open, they scurry down the gangway into waiting taxis and buses, eager to see what Barbados has to offer. 

The most coveted destination is the beach, where the dreams of some vacationers come true as they experience “advertised” paradise. This paradise is part of the larger marine space, which Barbados agreed to protect as a signatory to the United Nations’ Convention on Biological Diversity and later,  the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) in December 2022. The framework outlines 23 target action goals, with Target 3 focusing on 30% marine protection by 2030. 

Cementing its dedication to the 30×30 goal, Barbados entered into a debt-for-nature swap, legally tying its financial recovery to its environmental commitment. 

Despite these highly visible international stances and the Marine Areas (Preservation and Enhancement) Act, Cap 392; the Coastal Zone Management Act, Cap 394; and the Marine Pollution Control Act, Cap 392A Acts, Barbados protects less than 1% of its marine space through its sole legally designated Marine Protected Area, the Barbados Marine Reserve. This reserve, located at Folkestone on the west coast, is protected by law and divided into four zones for research, recreation, and water sports. 

The Barbados Marine Reserve, located on the west coast, and Carlisle Bay Marine Park on the south coast, together account for less than 1% of the island’s marine space under official protection.

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