The Trump administration recently announced visa restrictions for foreign officials that the US considers ‘complicit’ in Cuba’s foreign medical programmes

Originally published on Global Voices

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On February 25, as concerns over immigration issues lingered — and about a month prior to his arrival in Jamaica this week — US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced visa restrictions for government officials in Cuba, as well as for any foreign officials that the US considers “complicit” in Cuba’s foreign medical programmes.

Himself of Cuban descent, Rubio justified the move with reference to “forced labor,” adding that the restrictions would include “current and former officials” and the “immediate family of such persons.”

For their part, Caribbean leaders are arming themselves with arguments in support of the 40-year-old Cuban Medical Cooperation Programme. It is an issue on which the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) appears united, with some regional leaders offering to forgo their own US visas in defence of the programme.

Secretary Rubio is set to meet with Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness and other officials in Kingston, where they will be joined by, among others, current CARICOM Chair and Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley, and the newly installed Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Stuart Young.

Ahead of the Rubio visit, a regional delegation had visited Washington, DC to meet with US Special Envoy for Latin America and the Caribbean Mauricio Claver-Carone, to discuss a number of pressing issues, including security in Haiti. Claver-Carone is a strong supporter of sanctions against Cuba, but the island's relationship with the rest of the Caribbean is amicable and cooperative.

An example of the Jamaica-Cuba partnership is the Jamaica/Cuba Eye Care programme: since it resumed in 2023, Cuban medical professionals have screened and conducted pre- and post-operative care for several thousand Jamaicans, resulting in nearly 4,000 surgeries. With the support of the Jamaican government’s National Health Fund, it has expanded to include supplementary eye care to prevent blindness, an initiative that has benefitted approximately 27,000 Jamaican adults who are functionally blind and a further 81,000 with low vision.

Minister of Health and Wellness Christopher Tufton lauded the success of the programme, for which he and his Cuban counterpart signed two technical cooperation agreements in October 2022. The second agreement allowed for the continuation of medical brigades of doctors and nurses from Cuba; at the time of signing, Tufton described the partnership as “a tradition that we in Jamaica appreciate and have benefitted from, and which I believe the world has benefitted from.”

As far as the Caribbean is concerned, medical assistance from Cuba — which got underway in the mid-1970s when Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Barbados and others established diplomatic relations with the country — has been critical in helping to save lives. An editorial in The Jamaica Gleaner pointed out that Cuba has a higher-than-average proportion of trained medical personnel than either the United States or Jamaica, the latter being woefully short of nurses in particular:

Marco Rubio’s plan to sanction countries for using Cuban doctors and nurses in their health systems is nothing short of callous, cruel and vindictive.
If Mr Rubio possesses a scintilla of decency, he should immediately rescind the policy, whose hurt will be felt not only by Cuba, but by poor people in Africa, Asia and the Americas, including several Caribbean countries, Jamaica among them. It will cost lives, and, possibly, the unintended consequence of adding to the factors that drive illegal migrants from their home countries to the United States. Which is something the Trump administration is vehemently against.

In a March 20 press release, Jamaica’s Foreign Affairs Minister Kamina Johnson Smith observed that she had confidence in the Jamaica/Cuba programme and, contrary to the claims of the current US government, did not consider it to fall under the umbrella of human trafficking. A diaspora-based Caribbean news outlet reported her comments:

#JAMAICA: The Foreign Ministry says it had undertaken a review of the Cuban medical cooperation programme long before any international scrutiny surfaced and it could not be found to involve human trafficking, said Minister Senator Kamina Johnson Smith. pic.twitter.com/5gSBAc1wbh

— CaribbeanNewsNetwork (@caribbeannewsuk) March 20, 2025

A report in the diaspora publication Caribbean Camera noted the responses of other regional leaders, including the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, who “spoke out against the accusations, vehemently denying any involvement in human trafficking”:

He emphasized that Cuban healthcare workers are vital to the region’s medical infrastructure, with many countries dependent on them for core services. Browne warned that the proposed visa restrictions could dismantle the Caribbean’s healthcare system and put the lives of citizens at risk. He also criticized what he viewed as extraterritorial actions by the United States, urging the US to reconsider its stance.

Its report noted the reactions of several other Caribbean leaders, including Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit of Dominica, who was quoted by a local media house:

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit:

“here in the Caribbean, every single country: If you were to remove Cuban trained doctors and Cuban doctors from the health system of every Caricom country, with no exception, the health systems would collapse.” pic.twitter.com/zI7XPIwaX9

— Kawsachun News (@KawsachunNews) May 10, 2022

A diaspora newspaper, meanwhile, quoted the remarks of Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ralph Gonsalves:

#STVINCENT: Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves says his government is compiling information requested by US authorities regarding Cuban medical workers in the country while maintaining that these professionals are not victims of human trafficking, as claimed by the US government. pic.twitter.com/DhqNOs2NDl

— CaribbeanNewsNetwork (@caribbeannewsuk) March 21, 2025

Caribbean netizens have also pushed back at the proposed restrictions:

Cuba is in the Caribbean. Many islands in the Caribbean have good doctors and medical schools. The point is Cuba has some of THE BEST in the world. Even better than many top western nations.

Why would you not want access to the BEST IN THE WORLD?

— General Belair (@Chalana305) March 14, 2025

The decision to ban Cuban doctors from assisting other countries is unjust, criminal & unconscionable.

Cuba’s medical brigades have been on the frontlines of global health crises where it is needed most for decades. Blocking them is an attack on humanitarianism. Shame on you.

— Philip Rose (@PhilipRose) March 13, 2025

One social media user from Haiti shared her perspective:

After Haiti's 2010 earthquake, who immediately came to the rescue? Cuban doctors. The Cuban people in Cuba have always come to our rescue in Haiti without expecting anything in return. I as a Haitian, continue to stand with Cuba and their incredible Cuban doctors. https://t.co/9ynnnNissr

— Bettinna (@bettinna) March 18, 2025

On Facebook, Jamaican-Canadian academic Honor Ford Smith perhaps spoke for many when she wrote:

Everyone in the region knows what Cuban medical care has meant for us. And we know how weak our own public health care system is. So we know what losing this bilateral engagement with our closest neighbour will mean. We all have personal experience of how helpful the Cuban health workers have been. I know I do. When my friend was very ill with diabetes it was the Cuban nurses and doctors that made sure he received the care he could not afford privately and lengthened his life. We also know a little of what the Americans have delivered to us over the decades. One youth on social media said that the greatest aid provided by the US over the last decades is guns of all shapes and sizes. They are the largest supplier of guns to the region…

There is still time for us to stand up for OURSELVES and the health of our own people in rural and poor communities. Together we will be stronger. [This] is the time to tell your representative to stand up for the brigades. It is also the time to write to Caricom directly calling on them to
• Reject the idea that the governments of the region are involved in human trafficking through the Cuban medical mission.
• Defend the right of the peoples of the Caribbean to access public health care delivered through the Cuban medical team.
• defend the right of member states to determine for themselves which forms of regional cooperation can best meet the needs of the people of the region.

As the Caribbean prepares for the Secretary of State's visit, there is an air of apprehension — but also one of defiance and a perhaps unusual display of unity.

…and they're both gold!

Originally published on Global Voices

Feature image created using Canva Pro elements.

In stunning victories on Day 3 of the Track and Field events at the Paris Olympics, two Caribbean nations celebrated their first Olympic medals in the history of the Games — and both of them were won by women athletes.

At a rainy Stade de France on Saturday August 3, St. Lucia's Julien Alfred, 23 years old, swept her way to a convincing and memorable victory in the 100 metres, finishing well ahead of the pack in a time of 10.72 seconds and obliterating any hopes of a win for American Sha'Carri Richardson, widely pegged as the favourite.

Alfred enjoyed a strong start off the blocks, and led practically from the start, staying consistent throughout the entire course to clinch her country's first Olympic medal – and gold, at that. Richardson, who crossed the finish line in a time of 10.87 secs., had to settle for second place; her compatriot Melissa Jefferson secured the bronze medal with a time of 10.92 secs.

The much-loved Jamaican track and field veteran Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce withdrew from the event due to an injury. Alfred's win has made her just the third Caribbean woman to win gold in the 100m event, on the heels of Fraser-Pryce and Elaine Thompson-Herah, both from Jamaica.

In a post-race interview, Alfred spoke lovingly of her late father, who believed she had what it takes to become a successful Olympian. She also said she hoped her win would help improve the sport in St. Lucia, which she said “barely [has] the right facilities.” Alfred has been training at the University of Texas.

In another breathtaking track and field event, Dominica's Thea LaFond also brought home the gold in the women's triple jump event, her country's first Olympic medal. The silver medal was clinched by Jamaica's Shanieka Ricketts with a jump of 14.87 metres, her country's first ever medal in that event; bronze was claimed by American Jasmine Moore.

Draping herself in the national flag of her country of birth, LaFond dedicated her win to the people of Dominica, saying, “This is for you guys.” Dominica's total population is approximately 70,000; St. Lucia's just over twice that, at about 180,000.

LaFond, who won the World Indoor Championships title earlier this year, was born in Dominica and emigrated with her family to the United States when she was just five years old.

The two gold medallists’ respective countries – indeed the whole region — rejoiced at their accomplishments:

Absolutely DELIGHTED for her!! What an incredible athlete! #alfred #stlucia #bbcolympics pic.twitter.com/SqUZS0p8E6

— Miss Moz (@missmoz77) August 3, 2024

Our #FIRST EVER #OlympicGames #GOLD medal! @thealafond #TheaLafond made #Dominica proud and represented! pic.twitter.com/j7Nfaw1Dee

— Shane O Raphael (@ShaneORaph) August 3, 2024

Regional social media users were thrilled that the Caribbean could once more claim the title of having the world's fastest woman:

#Alfred Fastest Woman on planet earth #ParisOlympics2024 #100m #Paris2024 #Paris2024Olympic #StLucia first medal & that too Gold pic.twitter.com/QFZhWnHAWj

— Rajesh (@topgunRJ) August 3, 2024

The pride of St. Lucians, who gathered in the island's capital to see the final on a big screen, was palpable:

Congrats Julien, you've made your country proud! #Brilliant #StLucia #Alfred #Olympics https://t.co/NDT8de4XFx

— Antonio K. Ross Jr. (@FiscalPhenom) August 3, 2024

St. Lucia News Online described the scene as one of “uncontrollable jubilation.”

Meanwhile, with the Dominican Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit having stated back in 2022 — after LaFond medalled at that year's Commonwealth Games and the NACAC Senior Championships — that the country would provide her with a financial reward for her efforts, it remains to be seen how the country may choose to honour her for securing its first Olympic medal.

In other Track and Field events on August 3, Grenadian Linden Victor placed third in the Decathlon, while Jamaica's Rajindra Campbell brought home the bronze in the shot put.

‘Sea level rise represents a clear human influence on the damage potential from a given hurricane’

Originally published on Global Voices

Feature image via Canva Pro.

The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season had barely begun when Hurricane Beryl proved itself, in many ways, to be unprecedented. It reared its head earlier than most major storms tend to do, it gained power quickly, being upgraded to a Category 3 and then Cat 4 system within a mere 48 hours and, having left a trail of destruction through the Grenadines — including at least six deaths — it became the strongest storm on record this early in the season, briefly turning into a Category 5 hurricane. As at 9:00 p.m. (UTC4) on July 2, it has reverted to a Cat 4 as it headed towards Jamaica and the Cayman Islands.

While weather experts and storm chasers may be fascinated by Beryl's exceptionality, the people of the Caribbean who have been routinely battered on the frontline of the annual hurricane season fear that all the factors that make Beryl stand out may, in fact, become the norm.

Scientists have said that warmer sea temperatures, driven by climate change and cyclical weather patterns, are causing tropical storms to get stronger at a faster speed.

I know there's some wind shear impacting #Beryl, but my $$ is always on the ocean. It's running the show. pic.twitter.com/3c4zmSs8Vr

— Brian McNoldy (@BMcNoldy) July 3, 2024

This year, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the United States predicted an 85 percent chance of greater storm activity than normal — as many as 17 to 25 total named storms, of which anywhere from eight to 13 might become hurricanes, and four to seven of those, major hurricanes, meaning Category 3-5. They credit this to a “confluence of factors,” including “abundant oceanic heat content,” “a quick transition to La Niña conditions,” reduced Atlantic trade winds and less wind shear.

“[L]ight trade winds,” NOAA explained, “allow hurricanes to grow in strength without the disruption of strong wind shear, and also minimize ocean cooling.” It confirmed that the climate crisis “is warming our ocean globally and in the Atlantic basin, and melting ice on land, leading to sea level rise,” which it said represented “a clear human influence on the damage potential from a given hurricane.”

Like The Bahamas, Dominica, and so many other islands before them in years gone by, Barbados, Tobago, St. Lucia, Grenada, and especially the Grenadines which have thus far weathered most of the impact from Beryl, know this all too well — and just as they have done before, the Caribbean community has been rallying to send relief and much-needed supplies to those affected.

From St. Vincent, photographer Nadia Huggins shared a link to a GoFundMe page, saying, “I have no words to express the scale of devastation. I can’t believe we have to fund raise for yet another disaster. Please help in any way you can.” Looking at the “near apocalyptic” images coming out of Union Island, or video of the storm's aftermath in Carriacou, you begin to understand the urgency.

Meanwhile, Jamaica braces for Beryl to make landfall as a Category 4 storm, expected to happen by Wednesday, July 3, with the eye passing over the Cayman Islands later that night or early Thursday.

#HurricaneBeryl Bulletin 12: OUTER BANDS OF BERYL TO REACH JAMAICA BEFORE DAYBREAK WEDNESDAY…HURRICANE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT.

— MetServiceJA (@MetserviceJA) July 2, 2024

Global Voices contributor Emma Lewis, who is based in Jamaica, says that her compatriots are feeling stressed by the storm's impending arrival, and traffic has been bad as people try to stock up on supplies or make last-minute repairs:

Hopeless traffic in #OchoRios
Last minute shopping ofc for #Beryl #HuracanBeryl #Jamaica pic.twitter.com/PBj2tGzhnH

— DKAstrology (@DKAstrology) July 2, 2024

Like most Caribbean territories, Jamaica has endured devastation from hurricanes like Gilbert, a Cat 3 that struck in September 1988. While Beryl will likely weaken after it hits Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, it is still expected to remain a hurricane as it makes it way across the northwestern Caribbean. In this vein, hurricane watches are in effect for southern Haiti, tropical storm warnings for the south coast of the Dominican Republic, and a tropical storm watch for parts of Belize.

With a long and potentially active hurricane season ahead, and regional leaders calling out the lack of action on the part of developed nations that largely contribute to the global levels of greenhouse gas emissions, the overriding sentiment of the region was encapsulated in a tweet by Greenpeace:

Our thoughts are with Caribbean islands bracing for hurricane #Beryl. Stay safe

We have never seen such a STRONG hurricane this EARLY in the season.

Big oil and gas corporations are worsening extreme weather disasters. They must be held to account.

pic.twitter.com/EmaJx4443g

— Greenpeace International (@Greenpeace) July 1, 2024

Affected islands have experienced heavy rains, high winds, flooding, and more

Originally published on Global Voices

Feature image via Canva Pro.

At approximately 11:10 a.m. (UTC-4) on Monday, July 1, the eye of the record-breaking Hurricane Beryl made landfall on the tiny island of Carriacou in the Grenadines. An 11:15 a.m. update from the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida, said that the storm had continued to intensify, with maximum sustained winds of 241.4 kilometres (150 miles) per hour.

The hurricane is currently moving in a west-northwesterly direction at a pace of about 32 km (20 miles) per hour. Other locations in the Grenadines, including Union Island and Petite Martinique have been experiencing strong winds and are under threat from high storm surges, which Barbados and Tobago — though not affected by the eye, solely by the storm's outer bands — have already been grappling with. Marine advisories remain in effect for Barbados which, along with Tobago, is still being affected by feeder bands. The Tobago alert was later downgraded to a tropical storm warning and has since been discontinued, though a yellow-level adverse weather alert remains in place.

In terms of damage, Barbados experienced some power outages, with approximately 25 percent of customers losing service. The country's water authority had taken a decision to shut down the water supply island-wide prior to the storm in an effort to “protect critical infrastructure.”

Several videos of storm surges were making the rounds on Whatsapp, showing waves crashing onto jetties and a popular party boat, believed to be the Jolly Roger, being sunk. Some roads along Barbados’ south coast also took a beating from the surges; there was flooding in some areas, and others were littered with debris. Barbadian officials have already started assessing the extent of the damage with the help of drones.

Hurricane warnings remain in effect for Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, while tropical storm warnings apply to St. Lucia and Martinique. Jamaica, to the top of the archipelago, is also preparing for the possibility that Beryl will strike; a hurricane watch has been issued for that island:

#HurricaneBeryl Update pic.twitter.com/jbDI8xqHpc

— MetServiceJA (@MetserviceJA) July 1, 2024

If Beryl stays on its current trajectory, it is expected to reach Jamaica by the morning of July 3.

As the islands of the Grenadines hunkered down in the midst of the barrage, Grenada's Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell soon advised that Beryl had “flattened Carriacou” in as little as half an hour, leaving widespread devastation on the islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique.

When Hurricane Ivan rampaged its way across the island in 2004, devastating its economy and infrastructure, there was also a significant loss of life. With Beryl, though, no official numbers appear to yet have been released. The Washington Post reported at least one death, attributed to a collapsing house.

Videos of the storm's effects were being shared on social media:

Damage video starting to come out of #Carriacou. #HurricaneBeryl
: MTV News GD#HurricaneBeryl #beryl #Beryl #storm #RahulGandhi #Barbadose #Carribean #Grenadines #Chris #typhoon pic.twitter.com/DiRegBZpi6

— pradhyumn sharma (@pradhyu78651514) July 1, 2024

Due to the extensive storm surge, many buildings lost roofs and sustained other damage. Both Carriacou and Petite Martinique remain without electricity, making communication difficult. Prime Minister Mitchell hopes that teams will be able to begin assessing the damage as soon as possible. The immediate focus will be on providing temporary housing to those who have lost their homes and sourcing materials and water for recovery efforts.

On the larger island of Grenada, where thousands took refuge in emergency shelters, several roofs, including that of the island's Central Police Station located on The Carenage — the capital's scenic inlet — were blown away. The nearby Mt. Gay Hospital was also damaged. The country's state of emergency has not yet been lifted.

Like the other islands in the storm's path, St. Lucia has been experiencing very strong winds:

Saint Lucia experiences extremely high winds due to Hurricane Beryl #wicnews #saintlucia #beryl #BerylStorm #Hurricane #HurricaneSeason pic.twitter.com/DQ7YBdGkS0

— WIC News (@WIC_News) July 1, 2024

The Facebook group Hunters Search and Rescue Team posted a video — allegedly also taken in St. Lucia — showing a few men dangerously attempting to secure sheets of galvanize in very strong wind conditions.

Slightly higher up the archipelago, in Dominica, heavy rains continued to fall, while in St. Vincent, at least one storm chaser reported that conditions have been escalating fast:

We went from nearly flat calm to this in 45 min. South side of St Vincent. #Beryl pic.twitter.com/GRTsILpU7p

— Jim Edds (@ExtremeStorms) July 1, 2024

Rainfall amounts are expected to be between three to six inches.

At this stage, there is nothing else these islands can do to prepare. In the words of one social media user:

Prayers up for the people of #Grenada, the #Grenadines, #Carriacou, St. Vincent. #Beryl

— Sally VW (@actorgrrrl) July 1, 2024

A look at Zoom Earth's live weather map and hurricane tracker shows a new system, currently called Invest 96L, forming in the lower Atlantic. The National Hurricane Center gives it a 50 percent chance of developing; if it does, it may choose a course similar to Beryl’s, potentially bringing further destruction to the islands that are reluctant vanguards in an ever-worsening annual battle.

In that vein, prime minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves, having been forced with his compatriots to ride out the storm as best they could, was in no mood for diplomacy. Calling the United Nation's Conference of the Parties (COP) “largely a talk shop,” Gonsalves had a stern message for major greenhouse gas emitters: “[T]hose who contribute most to global warning, you are getting a lot of talking, but you are not seeing a lot of action — as in making money available to small-island developing states and other vulnerable countries. I am hopeful that what is happening — and we are quite early in the hurricane season — will alert them to our vulnerabilities, our weaknesses and encourage them to honour the commitments they have made on a range of issues, from the Paris Accord to the current time.”

It is the most quickly organised Category 4 hurricane on record

Originally published on Global Voices

ABI imagery of Hurricane Beryl from NOAA's GOES-16 Satellite, June 28, 2024 via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain.

Every year, from the beginning of June to the end of November, the Caribbean is on tenterhooks as the Atlantic hurricane season unfolds. The region, after all, has suffered devastating storms, which seem to have become more frequent and more intense as the climate crisis continues. This year, on Friday, June 28, an early-season weather system began to form in the southern Atlantic; two days later, Beryl had morphed into the most quickly organised Category 4 hurricane on record.

An absolutely stunning view of Hurricane Beryl's clear eye.

Beryl is now powerful, category 4 storm. pic.twitter.com/FoRBR5qJhr

— CIRA (@CIRA_CSU) June 30, 2024

With some calling the fast formation “unprecedented,” “anomalous,” and “absurd,” just as unusual was the location in which Beryl materialised — an atypical trajectory that is fascinating weather experts:

There's been a lot of posts about how rare Hurricane Beryl is for this time of year – instead of using words to describe its rarity, I'll let this animation of all cumulative hurricane tracks by time of year show it: pic.twitter.com/iSbt0kQkrj

— Tomer Burg (@burgwx) June 29, 2024

Storm systems very rarely form so low down in the Atlantic basin — and when they do, more often than not, they peter out.

Only one hurricane has ever been recorded in June east of the Caribbean in the deep tropics – the first hurricane of 1933, still the most active hurricane season on record by Accumulated Cyclone Energy or ACE. pic.twitter.com/1X2HeryavY

— Michael Lowry (@MichaelRLowry) June 27, 2024

The twin-island republic of Trinidad and Tobago, therefore, deemed to be situated outside of the hurricane belt, has largely been spared the destruction other Caribbean Community (CARICOM) nations have faced from storms over the past few years.

Weather.com forecasters have taken “the fact that Beryl not only became a tropical storm, but rapidly developed into a major hurricane east of the Lesser Antilles this early” as a warning sign for the rest of this year's hurricane season.

Sustained winds are currently hovering around a dangerous 130 miles per hour (215 km per hour), with occasional higher gusts. Hurricane warnings have been issued for the islands of Barbados, Tobago, Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and St. Lucia. There is a tropical storm warning in effect for Martinique, while Dominica — still recovering from 2017's Hurricane Maria — and Trinidad remain under tropical storm watch.

A serious situation is developing for the Windward Islands as Major Hurricane #Beryl approaches.

Hurricane Warnings are in effect for Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, Grenada, and Tobago island. pic.twitter.com/A6ntEZ0Oln

— Zoom Earth (@zoom_earth) June 30, 2024

On July 28, Prime Minister Mia Mottley warned Barbadians that they would likely be impacted by the storm; at the time of her address, Beryl had been forecast to be no more than a Category 1 system.

At noon on June 30, Trinidad and Tobago government ministers, along with representatives from the Meteorological Office and the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM) hosted a press conference to help citizens better prepare for the storm's impact. On X (formerly Twitter), Minister of Finance Colm Imbert also advised that Trinidad and Tobago has been working to accommodate an influx of vessels in search of safe harbour into its waters:

With dangerous Hurricane Beryl heading for Barbados, St. Vincent, Grenada and Tobago, there is an amazing influx of boats (close to 100 so far, see below) coming down through the 1st Boca to Trinidad, to shelter from the storm. The Government is preparing to accomodate them pic.twitter.com/CvxH1REItU

— Colm Imbert (@ImbertColm) June 30, 2024

By 2:00 p.m. (UTC-4) on June 30, the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida, confirmed that the “extremely dangerous” Cat 4 storm was approaching the Windwards, with “life-threatening winds and storm surge” expected from early on July 1. The update also suggested that “interests elsewhere in the Lesser Antilles, Hispaniola, Jamaica, the Cayman Islands and the remainder of the northwestern Caribbean should closely monitor the progress of Beryl.”

At the time of the update, the eye was located near 10.9 degrees north latitude and 55.6 degrees west longitude. Beryl is expected to remain strong as it moves west-northwestward across the Windwards by Monday morning and across the southeastern and central Caribbean Sea late Monday through Wednesday.

Hurricane-force winds are estimated to extend outward for up to 30 miles (45 km) from Beryl's centre, while tropical storm-level winds may extend outward for up to 115 miles (185 km).

At least one tropical meteorology researcher, the University of Miami's Brian McNoldy, has attributed Beryl's swift escalation to warm ocean temperatures, which he said were the highest on record for this time of year — even warmer than they would generally be at the peak of the hurricane season in September.

Experts have been predicting that the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season would be one of the worst on record, thanks to the combination of La Niña conditions in the Pacific, warmer waters, reduced Atlantic trade winds and less wind gradient.

In the islands that lie in the storm's path, there have been long lines at grocery stores as people stock up on supplies. The demand has been even higher in Barbados, which hosted the final of the T20 Cricket World Cup on Saturday, flooding the island with thousands of visitors. The island's airport will be closed from 7:00 p.m. on June 30, until further notice.

On Facebook, Donna Reece, a Trinidadian who is visiting Barbados, posted photos of the calm before the storm, with waters on the island's west coast looking flat as glass. In northern Trinidad, which is expected to face tropical storm-force winds, the air is still, with nary a ruffle of wind and birds intermittently chirping in the tensely restrained way they do when they sense bad weather.

Even as some social media users were focused on “hurricane history” being made, Caribbean netizens were feeling deeply anxious:

checking in from the virgin islands- our waters are ridiculously warm, not looking forward to the rest of the season.

— Cam (@cammakid) June 30, 2024

#Beryl not even reach kingston Yet, and already the service is out..#FlowJamaica
Cameras down
Home Phone down
Tele down
Internet down
I knew I should have gotten #Starlink

— ♛LANDO♛ (@Commasant) June 30, 2024

Seems early for one this big. Climate change is real.

— trishinpa (@trishinpa2) June 30, 2024

Meanwhile, all the Caribbean can do is prepare as much as possible and wait, like sitting ducks:

Good luck to all in Beryl's path.

— Sterling (@GreenShades9) June 30, 2024

It is a sentiment Caribbean citizens have heard far too often. With the next COP meeting scheduled for Baku in November, the region wants far more than wishes — it wants action.

‘A serious cricketing nation takes test cricket seriously’

Originally published on Global Voices

Feature image of the West Indies Cricket flag via Canva Pro.

On January 28, sports headlines around the world were primarily focused on the history that had been made at the Brisbane Cricket Ground, fondly called The Gabba. On that Sunday, the West Indies cricket team secured its first test cricket victory in Australia since 1997, ending an arduous dry spell that had lasted those 27 years. They did it in style, too, grasping victory by a nail-biting eight runs — and bringing to an unexpected end a match in which most people thought the Aussies were a shoo-in:

First Test victory in Australia after 27 long years
First Test victory against Australia in 21 long years
First team to beat Australia in a Day/ Night Test

West Indies have successfully breached GABBA! #AUSvWI #WestIndies #ShamarJoseph #Cricket #Sportskeeda pic.twitter.com/yXgXejcgtA

— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) January 28, 2024

How good is that, almost brings a tear to the eye. I don’t think there’ll be any Aussie cricket fans disappointed about losing this test #Windies

— Sam Phillips (@samtibbits) January 28, 2024

The player who helped pull off the feat — with an injured toe at that — was Shamar Joseph, a 24-year-old right-handed fast bowler, who took seven wickets and won the titles of Man of The Match and Player of the Series for his efforts:

“Take that pain…get the wickets” #ShamarJoseph what a team player.

Humble beginnings with lot of self belief character. pic.twitter.com/3uLMjjO4CB

— Kumar Manish (@kumarmanish9) January 29, 2024

The moment of victory had cricket fans around the world spellbound…

West Indian Version of “Toota hai Gabba ka Ghamand”
Shamar Joseph You Legend Take a bow Crushed World Champion Australia in their Yard. #AUSvWI #ShamarJosephpic.twitter.com/IxvSNpfW40

— (@imAnthoni_) January 28, 2024

… though no one celebrated as joyously as the team themselves:

The #1⃣ Trending Cricket Moment in the world lives rent free in our minds.#AUSvWI #MaroonMagic #ShamarJoseph pic.twitter.com/snAJRWaWQb

— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) January 31, 2024

For many longstanding fans of the game, the moment was like a return to the glory days of West Indies cricket, when the team dominated the sport in the 1970s and '80s. The determination to excel back then was in some measure prompted by the aggressive playing style and hurtful taunts of the Australian side, which, decades ago, had racist undertones. This time, former Australian player Rodney Hogg calling the West Indies team “hopeless” and “pathetic” helped motivate Joseph and the rest of the team, infusing them with grit and passion, and leaving some to wonder whether they were witnessing a renaissance:

Brian Lara in tears.
Is this the resurgence of Windies Cricket again?
Shamar Joseph deserves more and more appreciation.#WIvsAUS#AUSvWI#ShamarJoseph #Gabbapic.twitter.com/5Qx33aPbS2

— Mr. Sarcastic (@Gyanicologist) January 28, 2024

I'm so pleased with the current form of our West Indies cricket. Hopefully, all stakeholders involved can maintain what's working, improve on needed areas and watch us bloom back to our glory days #Cricket #MenInMaroon #Windies

— Trishana C. McGowan (@CelenaSports) January 30, 2024

I hope this victory is a sign of things to come, imagine how good test cricket would be if the #windies were a powerhouse again.

— Sin Nombre (@peterdavidwill1) January 28, 2024

Well played Shamar Joseph and the #Windies, breathing life back into West Indian cricket. Always a better game and a better spectacle when these guys are firing.

— Brian O'Donnell (@brianodonnell63) January 28, 2024

Goosebumps moment! The Great West Indians secure a phenomenal victory against #Australia at the #Gabba. #ShamarJoseph, what have you done ?

West Indians are back in grand style! #AUSvWI #GabbaTest pic.twitter.com/UAIricJgzP

— Wajahat Farooq Bhat (@Wajahatfarooqbt) January 28, 2024

Even the Australian commentators were drawn into the excitement of the moment:

West Indies Wins Always Bring So Much Joy

Well done #ShamarJoseph #AUSvWI pic.twitter.com/CkpkuOVfPg pic.twitter.com/8WEVLHnZ8c

— Bad Boss (@StoryTimeWithK) January 28, 2024

One X (formerly Twitter) user added:

How good is that, almost brings a tear to the eye. I don’t think there’ll be any Aussie cricket fans disappointed about losing this test #Windies

— Sam Phillips (@samtibbits) January 28, 2024

There was understandably a lot of praise for Joseph himself, as the hero of the match, with social media users calling him “a superstar,” a “deadset legend [and] joy to watch,” and “a king“. He certainly returned home to a hero's welcome, which included a Cricket West Indies (CWI) international retainer contract. He has also been signed by the Peshawar Zalmi, ahead of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2024.

Joseph's success has only been made sweeter by the fact that he only made his first-class cricket debut for Guyana in February 2023, playing just a handful of home games before arriving in Australia. Most of all, though, his personal journey resonated with people throughout the region.

The young cricketer, who hails from Baracara, a remote village that is reportedly 225 kilometres by boat from the nearest town and was only able to access the internet in 2018, was never part of any formal cricket programme. Instead, he would use “anything that looked like a ball to play his cricket.” He worked, at different times, as a logger, a labourer, and a security guard, but ultimately decided to focus on cricket — and in so doing, inspired many young West Indians to believe in themselves and pursue their own dreams.

Trinidadian Facebook user Rubadiri Victor used Joseph's success as an example to ask how many other young men with talent are being overlooked: “How many Boys have we marginalized who can be our Saviours?”

In an era when Twenty20 (T20) cricket (a short format version of the game) has been capturing the interest of fans, the win also generated a renewed interest in test cricket, where matches go on for days at a time, but often deliver incredible victories rooted in clever strategy and unshakeable resilience:

Test cricket at its best. Congratulations #Windies

— Sandhu (@SandhUTD) January 28, 2024

Stunning Performance from #Windies in #GabbaTest

Test Cricket is an Emotion @windiescricket @BrianLara #AUSvWI #TestCricket pic.twitter.com/ndzzCfTlyW

— CBMCRICKET (@CBMCRICKET) January 28, 2024

Test cricket is the Mother of all the cricket leagues and all the world cups.#ShamarJoseph #TestCricket pic.twitter.com/IIPzBPeWV3

— Ali Umair Shahbaz (@aliumairshahbaz) January 30, 2024

Trinidadian academic Amílcar Presi Sanatan mused, “For years I have had to put up with people (my age) telling me how much test cricket is a waste of time. Hello, you could be T20 champions for the rest of your life. Okay … Test cricket? A test match and test series are the true tests of a man/woman. A serious cricketing nation takes test cricket seriously. I really hope we continue our financial, talent and market investment in WI test cricket.”

In the end, there were only a couple of things left to say:

“Shamar Joseph” Remember the Name. Joseph led West Indies to a Test victory in Australia after twenty-seven years.
WHAT A WIN it has beenfire #AUSvWI #ShamarJoseph #INDvsENG pic.twitter.com/duKRZzAD3b

— CURIOUS (@OUTOFCHARACTERT) January 28, 2024

Best thing to happen to international test cricket in 25 years! #windies

— James Macfarlane (@jmacmelb) January 28, 2024

Small Island Developing States bear the brunt of the worst effects of climate change

Originally published on Global Voices

Feature image via Canva Pro.

Like everywhere else in the world, in 2023 the Caribbean experienced its fair share of triumphs and challenges, but as a region of Small Island Developing States (SIDS), the ill effects of climate change are right at its doorstep.

Of the many stories the Global Voices Caribbean team covered this year, the lion's share of them have been linked in some way to this looming threat and the importance of climate justice to the region's survival. This is not to say that there were no concerns about crime and violence, political tension, or sadness over Caribbean icons who passed away over the last 12 months, just that the climate crisis was the issue that appeared most pressing to social media users, as well as journalists across the region.

Climate change challenges

Because Caribbean island nations typically have smaller populations and operate on a much lower scale when it comes to industrialisation, the region produces fewer carbon emissions than many Global North countries. Yet, they bear the brunt of the worst effects of climate change because of their geographical vulnerabilities.

The climate crisis has, therefore, become an existential threat to SIDS, manifesting in severe and multifaceted impacts, from rising sea levels that erode shorelines, threaten coastal communities, and exacerbate the risk of saltwater intrusion into freshwater sources, to uncomfortably hot temperatures and the disruption of ecosystems.

The growing frequency and intensity of tropical storms and hurricanes have also placed Caribbean countries in the crosshairs of the climate crisis, causing widespread damage to infrastructure, disrupting livelihoods, and amplifying the challenges of recovery.

Six years after Dominica suffered great devastation post-Hurricane Maria, for instance, the country is still attempting to build climate-resilient homes for its citizens, making its leaders even more resolute about advocating for proper Loss and Damage mechanisms to be put in place at the recently concluded COP28 conference.

Dominica has also been proactive in other areas, becoming the first country in the world to designate 800 square kilometres (300 square miles) of its waters as a sanctuary for sperm whales, an endangered species that can actually help fight climate change.

However, there were many instances this year in which climate progress felt like one step forward, two steps back. While environmentalist Allison Ifield, for instance, continued her fight to protect Belize's mangroves, Jamaicans found themselves having to fight for access to their own beaches. Plastic pollution on beaches was also reaching concerning levels, and there was much outcry about unsustainable development practices and the pollution of water sources on the island.

Meanwhile, Antigua and Barbuda’s Ramsar site continued to be threatened by a sandbar breach, which, if not rectified, can compromise the well-being of the lagoon’s ecosystems, as well as people's livelihoods. The breach occurred in 2017 after Hurricane Irma, a Category 5 storm, hit the island.

How the climate crisis affects communities

This year, Global Voices published several stories that gave readers deeper insight into the many ways in which the heating of the planet has been having an impact on diverse communities, including women and their newborns, menstruating women, and other vulnerable groups like the visually impaired and Indigenous people, many of whom have been positioning themselves on the frontline of the battle for climate justice.

Many of those affected have been struggling with everything from stress and mental health challenges to finding ways to cope with events like flooding and bushfires.

Effects over land and sea

Another serious effect that the climate crisis has been having on island nations is the disruption to agriculture due to changing precipitation patterns and more frequent droughts. In many small island economies, small-scale farming is a vital source of income and sustenance. As a result, nations like Guyana and St. Vincent and the Grenadines have been grappling with food production and finding ways to combat food insecurity. In Trinidad and Tobago, vetiver is being promoted as a reliable and eco-friendly solution to mitigate the effects of flooding, landslides, slope destabilisation and erosion.

Additionally, the warming of oceans has been compromising the vibrant marine ecosystems that form the backbone of many Caribbean economies, forcing island nations to pivot. Trinidad and Tobago, for example, has begun creating partnerships in order to help protect its coral reefs. Suriname, whose fisheries have been negatively impacted by climate change, is turning towards options like aquaculture, while Belize is very clear about the benefits of a blue economy, having been the first country in Central America — back in 1982 — to designate a Marine Protected Area (MPA) with the Half Moon Caye Natural Monument.

Jamaica was also centre stage this year as far as threats to the world's oceans were concerned since the International Seabed Authority (ISA), the UN agency with a mandate to organise and control the international seabed's mineral resources “for the benefit of humankind as a whole,” is headquartered in Kingston, where deliberations on deep-sea mining reached a critical stage.

At the various meetings that took place, young activists and artists were very involved, speaking out about the importance of defending the deep.

The tentative hope of COP28

Even before the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP28, got underway in the UAE, Caribbean leaders were being urged not to squander the opportunity to make the climate conference “transformative,” with more people becoming aware of the great potential of fossil fuel alternatives.

Even as some feared inaction at COP28 would deliver the death knell for vulnerable regions like the Caribbean, Small Islands Developing States did their part in advocating for both renewable energy initiatives and the need for ramped-up decarbonisation efforts.

In the end, the big wins were the long-awaited launch of the Loss and Damage Fund and the eventual recognition of the need to transition away from fossil fuels. However, with no firm obligation or timeframe of deliverables in which to achieve this, Caribbean nations are understandably cautious about their optimism. After all, mitigating the effects of greenhouse gas emissions to ensure not just sustainability but survival must be undertaken collectively in order to have any chance of achieving the Paris Agreement's objective to limit global temperature increases to 1.5 degrees Celsius from pre-industrial levels.

‘The new text does not do enough to keep our islands above water’

Originally published on Global Voices

DECEMBER 11: Licypriya Kangujam onstage at the Global Climate Action High-Level Event (closing): Uniting on the Path way to 2030 and Beyond session during the UN Climate Change Conference COP28 at Expo City Dubai on December 11, 2023, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by COP28 / Anthony Fleyhan)

In between coughs and massive chugs of coffee, majlis was the new word rolling off lips at this stage of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s (UNFCCC) COP28, in Dubai. It’s the Arabic word for “council,” an open and honest gathering to discuss issues.

During the initial majlis, COP28 President Sultan Al Jaber, who is also the minister of industry and advanced technology of the United Arab Emirates and head of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), sought to reaffirm a commitment to maintain ambition and urged that the Global Stocktake (GST) produce the most pragmatic and feasible climate solutions.

The irony is not lost on most, but the Sultan also emphasised the limited time remaining and the presidency's determination to deliver by December 12. He then presented ministers and delegation heads with two critical questions:

1. How do we build transformative ambition on mitigation while addressing just and equitable transitions and corresponding support requirements?
2. How do we credibly tackle the gap in adaptation finance and action?

The Global Stocktake simplified

Essentially, GST serves as the inaugural evaluation of global efforts by countries to combat the climate crisis. COP28 carries the weight of being the first ever GST to score the UNFCCC process, commitments, and ambitions. As such, it’s meant to be the big outcome of the climate negotiations this year.

That said, this assessment of countries’ performance is anticipated to hold minimal surprises: the prevalent understanding is that we have significantly deviated from the intended path to restrict global temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius as per the Paris Agreement‘s objective.

Insufficient measures are in place to tackle the root cause of climate change—greenhouse gas emissions. At the time of writing, countries are currently unable to come to a consensus over whether or not to phase out or phase down fossil fuels.

Moreover, inadequate preparations are being made to address the existing and projected exacerbation of climate change impacts, already evident and anticipated to escalate further in the future.

Adaptation needs more attention

I personally know what it feels like to be the middle child. Spoken over during family dinner and given little to no attention. And while that’s a discussion for another meeting with my therapist, I sympathise with adaptation.

Although the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) holds immense significance within the Paris Agreement, directing global efforts towards bolstering adaptability, fortifying resilience, and lessening susceptibility to climate change — all while striving to cap the global temperature increase as near as feasible to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, it’s been given nowhere near the attention of this COP’s star child — the Loss and Damage Fund — which has been celebrated for its achievement, countries pledging approximately USD 750 million at this point.

Now, after being almost completely ignored for most of the summit, on the penultimate day of the COP, a new text on the GGA was released. But it is weak.

It is a convergence text where the parties found some balance and agreement, but does it do anything to adequately support climate-vulnerable countries?

A win is not always a win?

Responding to the new draft text of the GGA, Sandeep Chamling Rai, World Wildlife Fund senior advisor, Global Climate Adaptation Policy, said: “The Global Goal on Adaptation latest draft is still missing some crucial elements, despite some improvements. Vulnerable communities desperately need more finance to build resilience to the impacts of the climate crisis. However, the text only reiterates the longstanding call for developed countries to double adaptation finance without providing a clear roadmap to deliver it.”

As Simon Steill, executive secretary of the UNFCCC, has stated, the COP28 must deliver a big switch, not just in what governments must do, but also in how to get the job done.

However, there is a significant lack of emphasis on the Means of Implementation (MoI) necessary for the framework's effective implementation. The absence of concrete targets and MoI might jeopardise the framework's efficacy.

To achieve a credible outcome, negotiators must agree on an overall finance target for adaptation and how developed countries can meet their previous commitments to double climate adaptation finance.

So, as the middle child, adaptation has basically received a plate of food, after all the other siblings have already eaten. Meanwhile, it has not been asked about its favourite cuisine or if it wanted extra sauce.

Island nations again, are left in rising waters.

Watery language while floods intensify

During Sunday’s majlis, Al Jaber stated, “At no circumstance will we accept watering down against any pillar. The GST must be the most pragmatic and most real response. The world is watching; we do not have time to wait.”

However, the drama has increased here in Dubai. At approximately 5:00 p.m. on December 11, a new GST text was released. And island nations are far from happy about it.

As it was unfolding, I was in the middle of a policy briefing session at the Children and Youth Pavillion, and as I read the text along with my colleagues, we all felt the depression grow.

The Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), which represents the negotiating interests of SIDS, has stated that it is “gearing up for battle,” in response to the watered-down language on fossil fuels and the lack of ambition on climate adaptation.

Fossil fuel phase-out is gone, and the narrative is now framed by “actions that could include.”

Further weakening the text is language that “encourages” Nationally Determined Contributions and “invites … activities” with a “view to enhancing action.”

It all seems very much like a suggestion rather than determined and strong climate action.

According to Joseph Sikulu, Pacific managing director at 350.org, in a media huddle post-text-drop, the language is “unacceptable and far below the ambition required to keep our islands afloat.”

“This week, we felt that the goal of phasing out fossil fuels was within reach, but the lack of climate leadership shown by the presidency, and the blatant watering down of commitments to a ‘wish list’ is an insult to those of us that came here to fight for our survival. How do we go home and tell our people that this is what the world has to say about our futures?” Sikulu stated. 

On adaptation, the new text “calls on” parties to publish plans by 2025, and “invites” and “urges” scaling up of climate finance.

This is not what island nations came here for.

“We will be sticking to our guns on our long-held positions on climate change and the deadly consequences that it has brought our islands. At this hour, our negotiators are locked in discussions as the remaining hours of COP28 will be crucial,” AOSIS has declared.

The new text does not do enough to keep our islands above water.

This truly brings into question the leadership on the presidency's part and whether SIDS voices are genuinely being heard at this year's negotiations.

Red lines have been drawn

For AOSIS, the red line is “a strong commitment to keeping the 1.5c warming limit,” because “any text that compromises 1.5 will be rejected.”

“We will not sign our death certificate. We cannot sign on to text that does not have strong commitments on phasing out fossil fuels,” the negotiating block stated.

As a matter of fact, failure to meet ambitious mitigation objectives that rely on equitable transitions and sufficient support, lack of possible avenues to bridge the adaptation gap, and failure to ramp up ambition, will not lead to a strong COP28 outcome.

What's next?

Expect to see political dynamics swiftly evolve during the final stages of COP, leaving room for unexpected developments. The forthcoming next couple of hours will challenge the resolve of these leaders, whose roles are pivotal in tipping the scales in favour of ambition and steering away from the risk of a compromised outcome based on the lowest common denominator.

The COP28 president reiterated a commitment to transparency and honesty during the majlis, recognising the criticality of this stance as the endgame of COP28. However, based on the sentiments in the islands’ camp, it seems developed countries are playing games on priority tracks, instead of delivering a game-changing outcome.

The sanctuary will be monitored to ensure compliance with rules

Originally published on Global Voices

Sperm whale image via Canva Pro.

There's a reason Dominica is called “The Nature Island.” Lush and verdant, it is known for its rainforests and rivers, sulphur springs and waterfalls. The ability to immerse yourself in the local flora and fauna makes it one of the region's most idyllic eco-tourism destinations — and now, it is also being lauded for creating the world's first sanctuary for sperm whales.

The tiny #Caribbean island of #Dominica is creating the world’s first #marine protected area for one of Earth’s largest #animals: the endangered #spermwhale: https://t.co/3el0aio8dh#whales #Americas #marinelife #news23 #protection #wildlife#GreenNewDeal #GoGreen pic.twitter.com/xM0tSZLsaN

— ecohubmap (@ecohubmapcom) November 14, 2023

The designation of nearly 800 square kilometres (300 square miles) of ocean on the western side of the island, where the endangered species currently feeds and nurses its young, is a significant move, according to an Associated Press report. Not only can it help improve the whales’ chances of reproduction and survival, but it will also go a long way in battling the effects of climate change.

This is because sperm whales, which can reach up to 15 metres (50 feet) in length, defecate near the surface — all non-vital functions are suspended once they dive to depths of up to 3,000 metres (10,000 feet) — and plankton benefits tremendously from the nutrient-rich faeces, increasing their populations as a result. These plankton blooms, by capturing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, are vital soldiers in the climate change fight, and Dominica's role cannot be underestimated, since sperm whales that live in the island's waters have been found to poop more than their counterparts in other locations. More excrement equals more plankton, which translates into more CO2, a greenhouse gas, being trapped.

Dominica's prime minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, who also chairs the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) until the end of 2023, has been very outspoken about the adverse effects of the climate crisis on Small Island Developing States (SIDS). In 2018, his country was ravaged by Hurricane Maria, a Category 5 storm. Skerrit, along with other regional leaders, have been making it clear at the last few COP conferences, that the creation of a Loss and Damage Fund is imperative. Island nations like the Caribbean, which contribute the least to global greenhouse gas emissions, are on the frontline of the adverse effects of the climate crisis as, among other things, they are vulnerable to storms and sea level rise, and do not have economies that can pay for the massive losses their countries experience.

Now, Dominica's sperm whale sanctuary is doing its part to help counteract the adverse effects of climate change. It is estimated that fewer than 500 sperm whales live in Dominica's waters, but with young males leaving the pod at some stage, and females typically producing a single calf every five to seven years, their protection is paramount.

The new protected area, which will allow sustainable artisanal fishing and delineate an international shipping lane, will help augment the sperm whale population by reducing the numbers that are injured or killed by ships or become entangled in fishing nets. The government plans to monitor the area to ensure that the rules are respected, and the tourism regulations surrounding whale watching are enforced, though visitors will still be able to swim with the whales and observe them from boats, albeit in limited numbers.

The announcement, made on November 13, quickly garnered international attention, in both mainstream and social media.

The Facebook group Ocean Azores hoped the Dominican authorities would not let “just anyone swim with them, as that can be disturbing to the animals,” and wondered whether the Azores could follow the Caribbean island's lead and create a whale sanctuary of its own.

Facebook user Isabella Askari said her “heart is full” to see “a country stand[ing] up for marine life”:

[Dominica has] such strict regulations regarding eco tourism. The local scientists and captains know many of these whales by name and can even tell you details of their personalities. They are part of the community and it shows. Dominica sets an example for the world and I hope others begin to learn.

Kelly Cromie added, “Happy to hear these gentle giants are finally being protected!”

Trinidadian environmentalist Ian Lambie shared the good news and some interesting facts about sperm whales, noting that “Dominica has the most social groups, who are used to human presence, offering exceptional interactions.” He added, “Congratulations to the Government of Dominica for this initiative.”

The aim is to reduce vulnerability risk and increase climate resilience

Originally published on Global Voices

Kalinago women perform at the handing over ceremony of 18 climate resilient homes at the Kalinago Territory in Dominica, October 12, 2023. Photo credit: Dominica's Office of the Prime Minister, used with permission.

This story was published with the support of Climate Tracker's COP28 Climate Justice Reporting Fellowship.

By Richie Ferrol

In the Caribbean, the costly destruction of infrastructure, as well as intangible aspects of society and the economy, have exponentially increased within the last decade — human-induced contributions to the climate crisis, primarily from industrialised countries, have led to rising global temperatures and intensified storm activity. The housing sector has been particularly hard hit, exacerbating the need for the proper establishment and operation of the Loss and Damage Fund for countries greatly affected by the effects of climate change activity.

The Loss and Damage Fund refers to the establishment of a global financial mechanism funded mainly by industrialised countries, to significantly support green-based initiatives that involve climate mitigation and adaptation projects.

During the passage of Hurricane Maria on September 18, 2017, many Dominican families lost their homes. According to The World Bank, total damages and losses were estimated at US $1.3 billion or 224 percent of the island's GDP. The rainforest was destroyed, leaving a severe impact on Dominica's designation as the “Nature Island” tourist destination, with the greatest losses being experienced in the tourism sector (19 percent) and the greatest damages affecting the housing sector (38 percent).

In Dominica, both state and non-governmental organisations have stepped in to fill the gap, providing effective assistance and climate-resilient housing for citizens and residents over the past six years.

Addressing the 28th Session of the Conference of the Parties in his capacity as Chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) on August 10 in Barbados, Dominica Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, in speaking to COP28 President-Designate Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, announced that “Loss and Damage” will be one of the key topics to be brought to the COP28 negotiation table by the CARICOM delegation.

Lamenting that COP28 — which takes place from November 30 to December 12 this year in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) — must address “the operationalisation and capitalisation of the Loss and Damage Fund,” Prime Minister Skerrit said it will go a long way in providing “critical climate finance to the most vulnerable countries that are ravaged by the adverse impacts of climate change.” He added that “the funds must be in the form of grants.”

During his presentation at a handing over ceremony of 45 climate-resilient houses on January 25, Suranga Kanandawa, senior disaster management risk specialist and task team leader of the World Bank mission, spelled out the importance of these houses to the beneficiaries. He also shared statistics on how economic Loss and Damage issues have worsened as a result of climate change activity, as this video by GIS Dominica shows:

The consensus that has been reached for negotiations at COPP28 includes fast-tracking energy transition and slashing emissions before 2030, transforming climate finance, and placing people, lives, and livelihoods at the heart of climate action.

Although Dominica’s housing initiative continues to bring peace of mind to many, even as uncertain weather patterns threaten the island every year, it is not without significant financial cost to the country. In 2017, the housing ministry announced its adoption of internationally recognised building codes to construct these climate-resilient houses and corresponding infrastructure. Most recently, on October 12, it handed over 18 homes to the Indigenous families of Dominica's Kalinago Territory, located in the northeast of the island. The European Union (EU)-funded project was aimed at reducing vulnerability risk and increasing climate resilience in the area.

The government recently announced that it would help fund 50 additional resilient houses, which will be erected through the 11th European Development Fund (EDF), B-Envelope State and Resilience Contract for Rehabilitation. The country has received significant financial support from the EU, which engaged in a comprehensive programme to assist Dominica in building resilience against climate change impacts post-Hurricane Maria. The reach of the programme includes healthcare, education, public infrastructure, housing, and water resource management.

As Caribbean leaders gear up for COP28, Dominica is doing its part in the climate fight by providing resilient housing solutions for its citizens. In spite of the attribution of Loss and Damage that climatic disasters bring upon the island — and the current absence of a quick and efficient fund in that regard — it is clear that new and robust Loss and Damage financial mechanisms must be established, to assist Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in rebounding from reversible and non-recoverable damage.

The aim is to have the decision fully implemented by March 30, 2024

Originally published on Global Voices

Feature image created using Canva Pro elements.

From July 3-5, regional leaders met in Port of Spain, Trinidad, for the 45th Regular Meeting of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government. The occasion also marked the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Chaguaramas on July 4, 1973, which established the regional body with signatories that were limited to Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago. Since then, CARICOM has evolved into a diverse political and economic grouping of 15 member states (which include French-speaking Haiti and Dutch-speaking Suriname) and five associate member states.

In the lead-up to independence from Britain, the idea of a West Indian Federation was short-lived, but at the opening of this year's meeting, Trinidad and Tobago's prime minister, Keith Rowley, said that the regional integration movement had not only survived but also “thrived, expanded and flourished.”

It is a view that was echoed by Antigua-Barbudan diplomat Sir Ronald Sanders, who believes that for all its shortcomings with regard to the “deep and meaningful integration that was envisioned […] the fact that CARICOM’s framework continues to exist is a testament to the enduring belief in the benefits of regional integration.”

This is not to say that CARICOM's failings have not had their price. There has been criticism that the bloc has not been outspoken enough when it comes to the challenges facing Haiti, and limited integration has weakened its influence when it comes to applying the requisite pressure regarding issues like the climate crisis, violent crime, and access to development funding, despite UN Secretary-General António Guterres praising CARICOM's economic and social development and progress in combating the infiltration of illegal drugs and arms, among other things.

Attendees also focused on the regional coordination needed ahead of COP28 and regional food security, with ongoing efforts to reduce food imports by 25 percent by 2025.

The most progressive decision to come out of the meeting, however, was free movement for all Caribbean people within the region. The current chair of CARICOM and Prime Minister of Dominica Roosevelt Skerrit explained:

We believe that this is a fundamental part of the integration architecture, and at 50, we could not leave Trinidad and Tobago and not speak about the core of the regional integration movement — that is, people’s ability to move freely within the Caribbean Community. [W]e hope to see that it is implemented by March 30, 2024.

This new measure — which does not extend to Haiti, given the country's current sociopolitical crisis — goes well beyond the current arrangement that allows for the free movement of agreed categories of skilled nationals under the CARICOM Single Market and Economy.

Skerrit added:

I believe the founding fathers are smiling from heaven that the present generation of leaders were bold enough to be able to arrive at the decision going forward.

CARICOM also plans to institute contingent rights that include education, access to primary and emergency health care, and affordable intra-regional travel, which has been a real obstacle in terms of the regional community being able to support neighbouring economies.

Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley, who holds responsibility for the CSME, noted that the measure embodies what “every Caribbean citizen has wanted since we’ve had control of our destiny”:

This is what ordinary people want […]in a Region that is under-populated [and] facing the most difficult crises — from climate, to recovery from pandemic, to debt, to all kinds of other problems — if ever there was a time that we need to come together as one, it is now.

Facebook user Alista Bishop summed up the predominant reaction of Caribbean nationals in one word:

Finally!

Some, however, had their reservations. One concern was that oil-rich countries like Guyana will be inundated with people from other regional territories. One netizen, in asking whether or not the move would allow people to change their residency and citizenship status, wondered whether CARICOM could be “setting the stage for voter padding.” There is no current evidence to suggest that the free movement of Caribbean nationals within the region will have any impact on citizenship, which is a separate process altogether.

From Anguilla, Bernard Wattley felt that the decision required a consultative process:

To my mind, widespread consultation needs to precede major decisions that will impact the people, same for individual member countries. Leaders must not attempt to make decisions on their own, regardless of how good these decisions appear to be. […] How I wish CARICOM could move on from being a regional talk shop to more meaningful engagement with the people of the region.

Ella Drummond-Hoyos, while acknowledging that “progress has been made” during the 50 years of CARICOM's existence, noted that the people of the region feel it is not enough:

For while the people have forced the boundaries and forged an integration movement, the formal regional mechanisms always seem to be playing catchup!

Columnist Vaneisa Baksh, writing at Wired 868, took a more conservative view, saying, “Even when you support the idea of Caricom, it is hard to buy in to what it has turned out to be in its 50 years of existence”:

The intervening years have made cynics of most of us who have watched it doddering along—constantly hijacked by egos, inertia and incompetence, to the point where it has become ­synonymous with the underdevelopment of the region.

Of the Port of Spain meeting, Baksh “saw little to convince [her] that the mentalities have sufficiently changed.” Certain aspects of the gathering — the time capsule, the concert, both of which she felt were out of touch — “sent discouraging signals amidst the trumpets of hope”:

This is not the Caribbean we live in, and if this is the outdated version the anniversary planners believe us to still be, then I cannot harbour hope that they can guide us to the future we need.

Part of the solution, she believes, is to engage youth and strive for better communication about what is being done with regard to pressing issues like health, security, and climate finance.

Despite all these hurdles, however, Drummond-Hoyos remains “a believer in Caricom”:

I believe that in my lifetime full integration will be achieved. I believe with access to some reparation funds our leaders will be finally able to assure affordable and hassle free regional travel; easy movement of cargo; a single currency to support the the single market and economy; accelerated paths and opportunities for regional exports; a fortified a more integrated UWI; world leading regional Climate Change Centre; proactive Disaster management and Recovery; regional health research and treatment centre; regional public media centre; regional agricultural agency to ensure we keep feeding our people real food from farm to table; regional incubators for sports, performing and visual arts and entrepreneurship. Oh my dreams for our little region are as vivid as ever!

Dreams that may well begin to be realised by the free movement of the people who can bring those dreams to life.

The two brought people together through their art and music

Originally published on Global Voices

Image of Dominican cultural change maker Alwin Bully (L) taken from the YouTube video ‘Dr. Alwin Anthony Bully […] Shapes in The Clouds’ by DBS Radio. Photo of Jah Shaka by anviss on Flickr, (CC BY-NC 2.0.)

A Dominican cultural icon, Alwin Bully was born in the capital of Roseau, and died there on March 10 at the age of 74. He had been suffering from Parkinson’s disease. Growing up, Bully was strongly influenced by the island’s rural storytellers, and by Carnival, which unfolded each year practically on the doorstep of his home. While studying for a degree in English and French at The University of the West Indies (UWI), Cave Hill campus in Barbados, he established a drama society and began writing plays. One of his earliest, “Good Morning Miss Millie,” was a one-act comedy that became popular throughout the region.

Jamaican poet and theatre arts teacher Fabian Thomas called Bully “a member of his ‘Caribbean Theatre Triumvirate,'” the other two being Guyanese playwright Eugene Williams and the late Barbadian dramatist Earl Warner. Via a direct message to Global Voices on Twitter, Thomas expressed his feelings about Bully's passing:

Aaahh…Sir Alwin. He was a warm, charming, vibrant and wise Master Theatre Practitioner. His craft, vision and passion were steady flames that ignited imagination and artistry regionally. He was perennially supportive and inclusive.

Professor Emerita at Canada's York University and former director of Jamaica's Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, Honor Ford-Smith, described Bully this way:

Never arrogant, he sought out common ground in a quest to serve the region and especially its poorest. He did this by listening and avoiding polemic. His was uncompromising service grounded in community and dedicated to that ‘repeating island’ as the Cuban writer Benitez Rojo controversially called it.

Bully was well-known as the designer of the Dominica flag (the island gained its Independence from the United Kingdom in 1978) which features the Imperial Parrot, known as the Sisserou, a colourful endemic species listed as endangered. Bully received the island’s highest honour, the Sisserou Award, for his multi-faceted work, not only as a cultural administrator but as a playwright, director, graphic artist, set designer, poet and short story writer, carnival designer, and composer:

The original flag of Dominica was designed by Alwyn Bully in early 1978 as the country prepared for independence.

The representation of the Dominica flag reflects the spirit of the people, their traditions and mentality.#Dominica #AlwynBully #Dominicans #BURENCYConsultancy pic.twitter.com/QZ5nzfy0Kv

— Burency Consultancy (@burencyconsult) February 21, 2022

Bully, who wrote 10 full-length plays, four radio serials, numerous short stories and four screenplays, also had a career as a cultural administrator. He lived in Jamaica for 20 years, where he served as UNESCO’s Caribbean Cultural Advisor, and was instrumental in establishing the regional Carifesta arts festival. He received an honorary doctorate from his alma mater, the University of the West Indies in 2011, and was also the recipient of several other awards, in both Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago.

He was accorded an official funeral in Dominica after two days of national mourning, and was laid to rest on April 5. There were numerous tributes on his native island and beyond, including from the People’s Action Theatre, which he co-founded in the 1970s.

London-based cultural activist Miranda Grell shared:

Rest in Peace, Dr Alwin Bully. You were a once-in-a-generation icon who I was so honoured to meet when I visited #Dominica in 2019. So pleased you were given a send-off worthy of your immense contribution to the Nature Isle & other islands in the region #Waitukubuli @SkerritR https://t.co/oezp1dfblT

— Miranda Grell (@MirandaGrell) April 5, 2023

Trinidadian journalist Wesley Gibbings noted:

Alwin Bully was a Caribbean gem who will be missed by everyone who ever encountered him and his work https://t.co/6vzAHiNKC7

— Wesley Gibbings (@wgibbings) April 5, 2023

Jamaican journalist Rodney Campbell also shared his thoughts:

Alwin Bully…you made an exceptional contribution, developed countless talents in many ways and made oceans of people happier for knowing you…rest well in the new light

— Rodney S. O. Campbell (@rodneytwit) March 11, 2023

One of Bully's early, hugely successful plays, “Streak,” focused on the arrival of Rastafari in the Eastern Caribbean, and the sensational case of Rastafarian Desmond Trotter (Ras Kabinda) accused of shooting a white man during Carnival in 1974.

At around that time, a young Rastafarian named Jah Shaka, aka Zulu Warrior — his real name and exact age are not known — was establishing his iconic sound system in south-east London, U.K. Born in Clarendon, Jamaica, he was among the Windrush Generation migrating to England as a young boy. The 1970s, for Bully, Shaka, and other Caribbean creatives, was a time of growing black consciousness, vividly expressed in cultural expressions. Shaka played himself in a dramatic scene in the 1980 cult film classic “Babylon,” which dealt with racism and other socio-economic issues impacting London's Black population.

Like Bully, Shaka enjoyed a long career with worldwide influence. He gathered legions of fans as he toured the world, including appearances at the Kingston Dub Club. This tweet is from an Afro-Colombian record label:

#jahshaka
forever in dub pic.twitter.com/4baeCYnsm9

— PALENQUE RECORDS – Afrocolombia & Africa (@PALENQUERECORDS) April 12, 2023

Jah Shaka died on April 12; the cause of death is unknown, but his son, also a sound system man, was devastated. Shaka had been preparing for yet another tour; a video clip from his last session, on April 1 in Paris, has been widely shared on social media. London-based sound system engineer Mad Professor posted a nostalgic tweet:

It’s a sad day today, as we say farewell to my friend Knocky, the Zulu warrior, Jah Shaka. Shaka played a huge part in the establishing of AriwA
In the very early days he would book the studio weekly, and shared building in Peckham, with Jah Shaka Music operating from the HQ pic.twitter.com/b7GOQRYV1A

— Mad Professor (@MadProfessordub) April 12, 2023

Veteran British DJ David Rodigan shared on Facebook:

I am devastated to learn of the passing of Jah Shaka, The Zulu Warrior. A truly iconic figure-head of Roots Rock Reggae Music who touched so many people’s lives all over the world. Heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. David.

The Voice newspaper described the Jah Shaka experience thus:

With his thunderous bass lines, pulsating rhythms, and powerful lyrics, Jah Shaka created a musical experience that was truly transcendental.

UK-based journalist Nadine White added:

“The sound system was formed as a vehicle to bring a message of peace. To bring people together”

Jah Shaka, legendary reggae sound system pioneer, has died. A musical giant who was beloved far & wide; a pillar within our Black communities and a real messenger. Sad news. pic.twitter.com/WZsKiYHl75

— Nadine White. (@Nadine_Writes) April 12, 2023

The Windrush Caribbean Film Festival also paid him tribute:

#WCFF2023 are deeply saddened to hear that the iconic Jamaican & London-based DJ & reggae/dub sound system operator @jahshakamusic has died. In a career spanning over 50 years, Jah Shaka played himself in the 1980 film Babylon (directed by Franco Rosso, although he directed the… pic.twitter.com/FIKBvJPsdE

— Windrush Caribbean Film Festival (@windrushfest) April 12, 2023

Although their life journeys were very different, the passing of both Alwin Bully and Jah Shaka is a sad loss in the remarkable network of Caribbean culture, in the region, the diaspora and beyond. Tributes to both cultural pioneers describe them as humble and unassuming, with the shared goal of bringing people together through their art.

A recap of what captured the attention of the regional blogosphere this year

Originally published on Global Voices

Feature image created using Canva Pro elements.

After two years of battling the COVID-19 pandemic, the Caribbean welcomed 2022 on a hopeful note — but as with most years, it came with its ups and downs.

In years gone by, the issue of corruption took top billing across the region, but the stories the Global Voices Caribbean team covered in 2022 definitely saw a stronger leaning towards other key concerns, like the environment and violent crime.

Here's a recap of some of the stories that captured the attention of the regional blogosphere this year …

The climate crisis

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At least a score of our stories this year focused on environmental issues, with unusually cold weather kicking off 2022 in Trinidad and Tobago, at the southern end of the archipelago.

While there were optimistic posts that raised awareness of the significance of World Wetlands Day, celebrated Earth Day with the discovery of a new species of bat, or paid homage to the beauty and importance of our oceans, the spotlight was predominantly focused on the types of environmental challenges faced by Small Island Developing States (SIDS), from the presence of invasive species to the critical threat of deep-sea mining.

Despite the 2022 transatlantic hurricane season being comparatively moderate to previous years that saw widespread devastation from major storms, the region faced its fair share of weather events in the form of tropical storm systems that brought massive flooding, time and time again.

Even as Grenada's Minister for Climate Resilience and the Environment, Senator Simon Stiell, was appointed as Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change, by the time COP27 was in progress, Caribbean netizens — particularly young people — were becoming increasingly concerned about measures that could help reverse the effects of climate change, including the transition to renewable energy sources, the importance of urban green spaces, the issue of loss and damage, and other key conference takeaways.

There were also anxieties throughout the year, about related matters, such as food security — including nutrition policies and the increasing cost of basic food items.

The lingering effects of colonialism

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Given that both Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago celebrated 60 years of independence from Britain this year, 2022 was a time to reflect on the region's collective colonial legacy, which continued to rear its head in a myriad of ways.

While Tobago was busy trying to ditch colonial-era dress codes, its sister isle, Trinidad, was steadfastly upholding them, inspiring citizens to find creative workarounds.

In Jamaica, this type of appearance-based bias emerged once again in a disturbing story where a young woman's dreadlocks were forcibly cut by a police officer. Just a month later, it was determined that no criminal charges would be filed against the officer in question.

Interest in reading Dr. Eric Williams’ “Capitalism and Slavery,” the book that is largely credited with changing the narrative around colonialism, slavery and emancipation, was rekindled at the start of the year when news broke that there would be a new edition of the publication.

By the time the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge embarked on a problematic Caribbean tour in honour of Queen Elizabeth II's platinum jubilee, anti-monarchy sentiment was rife, sparking protests and calls for Britain to issue a formal apology and make good on slavery reparations. By August, an art exhibit in the United Kingdom was also doing its part to reframe the colonial narrative, a discussion that grew even more fervent after the queen's death on September 8.

Crime and gender-based violence

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The start of 2022 marked the one-year anniversary of the abduction and murder of 23-year-old Trinidadian woman Andrea Bharatt. The following month saw a similar occurrence, leaving citizens bewildered and afraid.

From Trinidad and Tobago to Jamaica, women would continue to go missing and later be found dead. There was also a great amount of debate over the overturning of Roe vs. Wade in the United States, prompting discussions over the region's strict anti-abortion laws.

In one case in Trinidad and Tobago, a young mother was the perpetrator of violence, having admitted to killing her child. The incident served as the impetus for people to talk about how the combination of poverty and mental health issues can be a lethal combination, though some men observed that, had a man been responsible for the murder, public reaction may have been very different.

Women and children were, however, not the only victims of violent crime. Many victims came from disenfranchised urban communities, and in Trinidad and Tobago, questions of police brutality and abuse of power were once more on the front burner.

Jamaicans were also anxious about rising crime, and it seemed the government was ready to try anything to try and mitigate the effects of its well-entrenched gun culture — from banning music with violent lyrics from the airwaves to imposing states of emergency.

Politics

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As expected, regional politics also experienced its triumphs and challenges this year. For every win — mostly achieved by Barbados’ prime minister, Mia Mottley, who was chosen by Time Magazine as one of the world's most influential people — there were political missteps, tone deafness, and stark falls from grace.

This was perhaps most dramatically demonstrated by the arrest of the British Virgin Islands premier on drug charges in April. The ensuing discussion over the proposal that the overseas territory should revert to direct rule by the United Kingdom for at least two years made many people uncomfortable.

In terms of regional governments’ performance in education, there were also positives and negatives. While St. Lucia was attempting to introduce the teaching of Kwéyòl in schools, Trinidad and Tobago's Ministry of Education was involved in an award debacle that got people once more debating the relevance of the Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) examination.

Another political affair that played out very publicly was the bid for the post of Commonwealth Secretary General, in which the incumbent, Dominica-born Patricia Scotland, was challenged by Jamaica's Kamina Johnson Smith. The race fanned discussion over whether there was a split within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) over the issue.

Political turmoil continued to plague Haiti this year, with the usual effects on the cost of living and public safety. Haitians however, justifiably tired of the narrative proffered by the western media, took to Twitter to explain exactly why their country has been trapped in this cycle for so long, giving many social media users a lesson in the negative ripple effects of colonisation and occupation.

Meanwhile, the state of the Fourth Estate was a mixed bag this year.

Advocacy

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There were several issues regional netizens deemed critical enough to advocate for this year, including proper road planning and use after several cycling deaths in Trinidad and Tobago, enforcement of existing laws when it comes to noise pollution, and better inclusion for those with disabilities.

Region-wide, there were also some strides for LGBTQ+ movements this year. In March in Trinidad and Tobago, a transgender woman was appointed as a temporary opposition senator for a day, filling in for a colleague who was ill. Her tweets tagging international celebrities in an attempt to solicit congratulatory messages, however, sullied the achievement in the eyes of many social media users.

In July, Antigua and Barbuda joined the list of regional territories in which anti-buggery laws have been deemed unconstitutional, and the Caribbean as a whole seemed to be growing more accepting of gay rights.

The arts and culture

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The Caribbean's rich and diverse culture featured heavily in our coverage this year and included everything from contemporary Haitian art to public sculpture in Trinidad and Tobago.

There was also discussion about film, poetry, art, and music that covered topics like whether Bob Marley should be made a Jamaican national hero, and how films have the power to help reconstruct colonial mindsets.

Various aspects of Trinidad and Tobago's famous Carnival celebrations also factored in, especially as people found creative ways to express themselves, despite the pandemic interfering with the traditional iteration of the festival. There was also discussion over the cost of Carnival costumes, and what constituted cultural appropriation.

Tragedies

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Governance became a real talking point in the wake of several tragedies in Trinidad and Tobago. The first was an incident that claimed the lives of four professional divers who were working on a pipeline for the state-owned Paria Trading Company Limited. The lone survivor recently testified in a Commission of Enquiry into the tragedy, which is still ongoing.

In early May, the entire nation was praying for the safe return of a toddler who had reportedly wandered off from his village home; he was later found dead, having drowned in a nearby river. That same month, the contents of a task force report documenting widespread abuse in state-run and funded residential children's homes, sparked public outrage.

Sports

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In contrast, good news came to the region in the form of sporting accomplishments. Trinidad and Tobago celebrated two back-to-back gold medals in sprinting and the javelin throw, and Jamaica's women athletes gave an impressive performance at the World Athletics Championships in July.

With the loss of his extradition appeal at the Privy Council level, it even appeared that disgraced former FIFA vice president, Trinidad and Tobago's Jack Warner, might be on the road to answering for his alleged corruption, though netizens preferred to take a wait-and-see approach. Caribbean netizens did enjoy the 2022 World Cup, however, with many supporting Brazil, and the eventual winners, Argentina.

Losses

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Sadly, 2022 turned out to be a year in which the region had to bid farewell to many of its outstanding citizens. Within the first week of the year, Trinidad and Tobago lost three of its musical icons, and a stalwart of traditional Carnival masquerade. Bahamian-born actor Sidney Poitier, whose work went a long way to changing how Black people were perceived and represented, also passed away in January.

In March, legendary West Indies spin bowler Sonny Ramadhin died at the age of 92. Jamaica lost three women who tirelessly advocated for the marginalised and vulnerable, and Trinidad and Tobago lost their equivalent in human rights activist Hazel Brown.

Several musicians, thespians, and writers also passed on this year, including soca star Dexter “Blaxx” Stewart, calypsonians Winston “Explainer” Henry and Leroy “Black Stalin” Calliste, parang queen Singing Francine, beloved Haitian singer Mikaben, Donald “Tabby Diamond” Shaw, lead singer of the legendary reggae group “Mighty Diamonds” (in a drive-by shooting), dance education pioneer Thora Dumbell, and Barbadian novelist George Lamming.

The regional media fraternity lost a few key personalities as well, including Jamaica's Barbara Gloudon and François St. Juste, and Trinidad and Tobago radio morning show host David Elcock, whose cheery, positive outlook on life is something regional social media users may well want to take with them into 2023.

‘[A]nything less than a COP that secures L&D funding will be a betrayal…’

Originally published on Global Voices

Members of the World Meteorological Organization at a COP27 panel discussing how to assists Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in setting up effective early warning systems, which are an essential tool for averting, minimising and addressing Loss and Damage. Photo by the World Meteorological Organization on Flickr, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

Countries of the so-called developing world came to COP27 in Egypt with a very clear goal: secure a financing fund to address Loss and Damage (L&D).

For decades, this has been the rallying cry sounding from these countries, many of which are already suffering intense climate impacts. They’re not only facing encroaching sea levels and more intense and frequent disasters, but many of these nations are also drowning in debt from which they’re unable to recover.

Things seemed to be turning in their favour a week ago when a last-minute decision was made at the start of the COP, to add L&D to the agenda.

However, with just one day left in the global conference, there still has not been the establishment of an L&D funding facility. Instead, we’ve been witnessing an obvious tiptoeing around this agenda item by developed countries.

In response, high-level representatives from the negotiating bodies — Alliance of Small Island States, the Independent Alliance of Latin America and the Caribbean, G77, and the Least Developed Countries — hosted a snap press conference to let their collective views be known, titling it “Loss and Damage Inaction.”

Essentially, precious time is ticking away while a critical decision on L&D financing gets pushed aside at this COP.

On behalf of the G77, Sherry Rehman, Pakistan’s Federal Minister of Climate Change, stated that the entire COP system should be pivoting toward the concept of common but differentiated goals, as this is part of its core foundation. Likening this to climate justice, she made it clear that if L&D funding is not provided, this will cause negative ripple effects: “Climate justice delayed is climate justice denied.”

COP27 was touted to be a summit for the realisation of implementation, adaptation, and resilience; it was also meant to be an African COP. But, according to the collective, countries of the Global North are dragging their feet on delivering finances to address impacts that Global South countries had little to no hand in creating.

“Our vulnerability should not become a death sentence. We want a powerful political message to come out of this COP, because as the planet is burning, we’re burning up on the front line,” noted a compelling statement from Pakistan.

On behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States, Sir Molwyn Joseph, Minister of Health, Wellness, and the Environment of Antigua and Barbuda added, “We left Glasgow [COP26] with hope. There was a clear expectation that Loss and Damage funding discussions would take place and that providing those funds would be the next step. But this is not the case at COP27. And anything less than a COP that secures L&D funding will be a betrayal of all the people who are working hard to fight for humanity.”

Small Island Developing States (SIDS), such as those in the Caribbean, are experiencing impacts associated with a host of extreme and slow-onset events which affect their people, economies, and natural resources. According to the recent IPCC Working Group I (WGI) report, the negative effects of climate change are already increasing in intensity and frequency. For SIDS, this equates to a real existential crisis.

Island nations are reliant on coastal and ocean resources, including small-scale agriculture, beaches, fisheries, and more. Even small changes in these resources will have big consequences for small economies.

For Minister Joseph, it’s more than just political will that’s needed at this COP — the more critical matter is turning the discussions and apparent commitments into action. “We are frustrated that political commitment has not yet been translated into political action to assist climate victims,” he said. “This is the minimum that we can accept, at this point.”

Bringing reality to the room, Minister Joseph drew reference to the destruction Hurricane Irma caused in 2017 in his home country. Barbuda was battered by 185 mph winds and remained ruined and largely uninhabited for months.

“Why should I be pushed to go to the United Nations and ask for donations and charity? That can't be an acceptable expectation of SIDS at this time,” he lamented, “I am making an appeal to all partners, let us not leave COP27 without establishing the L&D fund … so that if next year Bangladesh, Tuvalu, Barbados, or Antigua and Barbuda is devastated by a storm we won’t have a situation where people have to be re-homed. In many of these countries, there's only one hospital. What are people going to do when that one hospital is destroyed?”

With 24 hours left to sit and work it out, developing countries are not backing down.

Dizzanne Billy is currently attending COP27 in Egypt.

Activists hope other regional territories will repeal similar laws

Originally published on Global Voices

Pride flags. Image by Chris Bentley on Flickr, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

Like many other Caribbean nations, Antigua and Barbuda still retains a colonial-era law criminalising consensual same-sex acts, but bit by bit, those laws are being challenged. In The Bahamas, private same-sex acts were decriminalised in 1991 by an amendment to the Sexual Offences Act. On August 10, 2016, Belize's Chief Justice struck down Section 53 of the country's Criminal Code, which made anal sex — for both men and women — punishable by 10 years’ imprisonment. On April 12, 2018, Trinidad and Tobago followed suit when the High Court ruled that certain similar sections of the country's Sexual Offences Act were “unconstitutional.”

Now, Antigua and Barbuda has joined the list of regional territories that have been forced to reconsider these outdated laws. On July 5, the country's High Court ruled that clauses in the Sexual Offences Act, which criminalise homosexual sex and threaten a 15-year jail term, were in contravention of citizens’ constitutional rights to both privacy and freedom of expression.

As they were in both Belize and Trinidad and Tobago, the court case in Antigua and Barbuda was brought by a gay man. His efforts were supported by two activist groups, Eastern Caribbean Alliance for Diversity and Equality (ECADE), and Women Against Rape, whose president, Alexandrina Wong, said in an interview with the BBC:

We are very much hoping the Antigua ruling will prompt other legal systems in the Caribbean to review their laws and policies, and how they impact on vulnerable populations.

Meanwhile, ECADE hopes that other constitutional challenges, currently underway in Barbados, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Lucia, will reach determinations by the end of 2022. There has also been a legal challenge to the laws in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, to which the government has been resistant.

Despite the fact that the region's anti-same-sex intimacy laws are rarely enforced, many LGBTQ+ groups maintain that the mere fact they are still on the books colours public perception, increases marginalisation of such minority communities, and helps to rationalise discrimination and even violence against them, essentially contributing to the homophobic atmosphere that is palpable in several Caribbean territories.

According to the International Lesbian, Gay, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA), which publishes an annual “State-sponsored Homophobia” report, part of the problem is that regional media houses tend to use terms like “sodomy” to report “on cases involving consenting adults and rapists alike.”

Additionally, according to the ILGA's most recent downloadable report and map of sexual orientation laws, as many as eight Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states still retain statutes that criminalise, to various extents, same-sex intimacy: Grenada, Jamaica, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, (all 10 years’ imprisonment), St. Kitts and Nevis (10 years with possible hard labour), Dominica (10 years with possible admission to a psychiatric hospital), Barbados and Guyana (both life imprisonment).

Conversely, conservative countries like Barbados, and religious countries like Trinidad and Tobago, have seen Pride celebrations go off without a hitch, signalling a level of tolerance and respect for human dignity that exists even in the face of having such discriminatory laws still on the books, and suggesting that overturning such laws may well be the first step to greater understanding and acceptance.