Cari-Bois Environmental News Network

Did you know that Small Island Developing States (SIDS) were designated a “special case” for sustainable development during the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development in Rio, Brazil.

The designation recognised that while many then emerging environmental threats – like climate change – may affect SIDS, the countries themselves weren’t inherently the driving forces behind these threats.

But given the designation also paved a pathway for Global North countries to be held accountable for the role they play in these environmental threats, there has been "pushback" to the designation ever since.

In this special report for Cari-Bois, Stefanie Lauchman highlights the efforts that stakeholders from SIDS are taking to advocate for SIDS to maintain their special designation in the face of growing opposition.

With a blend of interviews and special reporting from the recently concluded SIDS4 reporting, read more here:

https://www.caribois.org/2024/07/sids-fight-to-maintain-special-case-status-at-un/

✍️ Stefanie Lauchman

SIDS "fight” to maintain “special case” status at UN - Cari-Bois Environmental News Network In this special report for Cari-Bois, Stefanie Lauchman highlights the efforts that stakeholders from SIDS are taking to advocate for SIDS to maintain their "special case" for sustainable development designation - at the UN- in the face of growing opposition.

In less than 48 hours, Cari-Bois will host its 7th State of the Environment webinar! Let's learn a bit more about the presenters.

Themed "Protecting the Caribbean's Marine Resources: The Role of International Treaties" the webinar will:

💭 Foster a discussion on the issues affecting the wellbeing of the Caribbean's marine resources

🤝 Analyse what efforts are being made at the level of multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) to combat these issues.

With high-level negotiations occurring on multiple MEAs, what will the outcomes of these efforts be and how will they effect change in the Caribbean? 🤔

There is still time to register for the webinar by clicking here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwrfuysrz0tGd10biidPNHmj47CR6muSsH-

In less than 48 hours, Cari-Bois will host its 7th State of the Environment webinar! Let's learn a bit more about the presenters.

Themed "Protecting the Caribbean's Marine Resources: The Role of International Treaties" the webinar will:

💭 Foster a discussion on the issues affecting the wellbeing of the Caribbean's marine resources

🤝 Analyse what efforts are being made at the level of multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) to combat these issues.

With high-level negotiations occurring on multiple MEAs, what will the outcomes of these efforts be and how will they effect change in the Caribbean? 🤔

There is still time to register for the webinar by clicking here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwrfuysrz0tGd10biidPNHmj47CR6muSsH-

Institute of Marine Affairs

The countdown is on! Join Cari-Bois for the 7th State of the Environment webinar on July 18 from 12:30 pm to 1:45 pm (Atlantic Standard Time).

Themed "Protecting the Caribbean's Marine Resources: The Role of International Treaties" the webinar will foster a discussion on the issues affecting the wellbeing of the Caribbean's marine resources and what efforts are being made at the level of multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) to combat these issues.

The webinar will feature dynamic presentations by:

🌊 Dr. Khalil Hassanali, The Institute of Marine Affairs

🌊 Mr. Miquel Garcia, Environmental Awareness Group

🌊 Mr. Joshua Prentice, Ocean Advocate

🪸 You are invited to register for the webinar by clicking:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwrfuysrz0tGd10biidPNHmj47CR6muSsH-

Cari-Bois Coordinator and Editor, Tyrell Gittens, chronicles Hurricane Beryl's destructive trek across the Caribbean after the system rapidly intensified into the earliest Category 4 Hurricane on record in the Atlantic Basin on June 30 and then the earliest Category 5 Hurricane on record on July 1.

From Grenada to the Cayman Islands, Caribbean countries are assessing the powerful storm’s damage which flattened houses, disrupted communication networks, left thousands without power and resulted in several deaths.

Read more here:

https://www.caribois.org/2024/07/record-breaking-hurricane-beryl-leaves-destructive-trail-across-caribbean/

Record-breaking Hurricane Beryl leaves destructive trail across Caribbean - Cari-Bois Environmental News Network Just five days after rapidly intensifying into the earliest Category 4 Hurricane on Record in the Atlantic Basin, and then becoming the earliest Category 5 Hurricane on record one day later, Hurricane Beryl has left a trail of destruction across the Caribbean.

It's that time again 💭 Cari-Bois warmly invites you to attend our 7th State of the Environment webinar 🪸

Themed "Protecting the Caribbean's Marine Resources: The Role of International Treaties" the webinar will:

💭 Foster a discussion on the issues affecting the wellbeing of the Caribbean's marine resources

🤝 Analyse what efforts are being made at the level of multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) to combat these issues.

With high-level discussions occurring on:

🌊 The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea

🌊 The Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ)

What will the outcomes of these efforts be and how will they effect change in the Caribbean? 🤔

You are invited to register for the webinar by clicking the link in our bio or our most recent Instagram stories 🪸

In this exclusive article for Cari-Bois, Belizean multimedia journalist, Carolee Chanona, highlights Belize's efforts to restructure its debt by investing in blue bonds.

On November 4, 2021, the Government of Belize officially launched the "Belize Blue Bonds: Blue Finance for Nature and People" programme to ensure greater protection of public, co-managed, private, and indigenous lands as well as all marine resources within including the Caribbean Sea, endangered mangroves, and vulnerable coral reefs.

Supported by The Nature Conservancy (TNC), the programme would see the Government of Belize spending funds to conserve natural ecosystems while the TNC assists the Government with paying its creditors.

Read more here:

https://www.caribois.org/2024/06/can-carbon-credits-be-the-solution-to-belizes-debt/

Did you know that the Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA) is collaborating with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to pilot a Blue Carbon Credit System in Trinidad and Tobago?

From the magnificent Caroni Swamp to the expansive Nariva Swamp, Trinidad and Tobago's natural landscape is littered with defining wetland ecosystems that provide a myriad of ecosystem services for both wildlife and humans.

In developing the scheme, the IMA and IDB seeks to explore the potential of using these blue carbon ecosystems as a means by which revenue can be generated to finance conservation efforts.

Read more the effort here:
https://www.caribois.org/2024/06/is-it-feasible-to-use-blue-carbon-to-finance-mangrove-conservation-in-trinidad-and-tobago/

In an article to commemorate this year's World Biodiversity Day, the Institute of Marine Affairs highlighted the important role that technology plays in biodiversity conservation efforts across Trinidad and Tobago.

From the Trinidad and Tobago Cetacean Sighting Network's use of bioacoustics to the The Maritime Ocean Collection Project taking 360° imagery of Tobago’s coral reefs, technology is helping organisations across Trinidad and Tobago to better understand the country's biodiversity and develop strategic conservation plans from the collected data.

Read more on here: https://www.caribois.org/2024/05/using-digital-innovation-to-preserve-trinidad-and-tobagos-wildlife/

New Date Alert ⚠️ Join the launch of the Lunchtime Convos with Cari-Bois series which will now be held on June 13th, 2024, from 12:00pm to 12:35pm (Atlantic Standard Time).

Grab your lunch and get ready to learn as we chat with Mr. Tadzio Bervoets from the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF) and analyse the major takeaways from the SIDS4 Conference which is currently being held in Antigua.

Register for the session by clicking the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIvceqorDwiG92ZKSd_KBWZ51joofez64nK

Tomorrow (May 16), Cari-Bois will host its fourth Climate Breakdown webinar from 12:30pm (Atlantic Standard Time) 🌎🌡 Let's learn a bit more about the presenters!

This webinar will seek to foster a discussion on the importance of the Climate Justice Movement in the Caribbean.

Since the early 1900s, countries have been engaging in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and making commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in an effort to curb climate change.

But have countries been fulfilling these commitments and what efforts are being made to hold them accountable?

There is still time to register for the webinar by clicking the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwkdOCpqj0jHdYgbbOEHloHT5Z7ZZJBiDny

Join Cari-Bois' fourth Climate Breakdown webinar on May 16th from 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm (Atlantic Standard Time), as we seek to foster a discussion on the importance of the Climate Justice Movement in the Caribbean and what work is being done to hold authorities accountable to their climate commitments.

The webinar will feature dynamic presentations by:

🌡 Dr. Theresa Rodriguez-Moodie, Jamaica Environment Trust

🌡 John Mussington, Barbuda Land Rights Committee

🌡 Onnie Emerenciana, Greenpeace

🌡 Christine Samwaroo, The Breadfruit Collective

Since the early 1900s, countries have been engaging in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and making commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in an effort to curb climate change.

But have countries been fulfilling these commitments and what efforts are being made to hold them accountable?

There is still time to register for the webinar by clicking here:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwkdOCpqj0jHdYgbbOEHloHT5Z7ZZJBiDny

As Suriname looks towards their emerging oil and natural gas industry as a financial lifeline, experts are sounding the alarm that the country must proceed with caution and consider the effects of the industry on the natural environment.

In this exclusive article written for Cari-Bois by Surinamese journalist, Stefanie Lauchman, stakeholders involved in - and affected by - the country's emerging oil and natural gas industry, share their opinions on the issue.

Read more by clicking here:
https://www.caribois.org/2024/05/is-surinames-oil-a-double-edged-sword/

Apply now to this fantastic opportunity by The Cropper Foundation:

✍️ If you are: a Caribbean national, writing in English and resident in the Caribbean.

✍️ If you write: poetry, fiction, or non-fiction.

✍️ For: Writing for Our Lives, an anthology of stories illuminating the urgency of the climate crisis for people and communities of Caribbean states marked by their varied yet substantial vulnerabilities.

✍️ When: Submission deadline is midnight on June 7, 2024. Successful applicants will be announced in July 2024.

Learn more at https://thecropperfoundation.org/writingforourlives/

For any queries about eligibility requirements or the application process, email [email protected].

The Writing for Our Lives climate justice anthology is the second strand in the Today Today, Congotay! project, a series of climate justice, multi-media arts-based interventions funded by Open Society Foundations and implemented by The Cropper Foundation.

Original artwork by the prodigious 16-year-old visual artist Jaidn Bain.

As the Caribbean continues to face the sobering realities of climate change, Cari-Bois invites you to attend its fourth Climate Breakdown webinar on May 16th, from 12:30pm to 2:00pm (Atlantic Standard Time).

Themed "What does Climate Justice in the Caribbean look like?" the webinar will foster a discussion on the importance of the Climate Justice Movement in the region and what work is being done to hold authorities accountable to their climate commitments.

Register for the webinar using the following link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwkdOCpqj0jHdYgbbOEHloHT5Z7ZZJBiDny

From reducing pollution to decreasing the emission of gases like methane which accelerate global warming, the adoption of sustainable consumption practices can support the current push towards a more sustainable future.

Cari-Bois has recognised the value of elevating stories which highlight the importance of adopting sustainable consumption and continues to support writers across the Caribbean who have dedicated their craft to educating readers about the importance of circularity.

In this curated collection, Cari-Bois shines a spotlight on several articles which were published on the platform and dedicated to the topic of sustainable consumption as well as the benefits that eco-friendly practices present for the region.

Be sure to read these articles by clicking on the link in each picture's caption and check out www.caribois.org to read more stories.

Cari-Bois is committed to amplifying the voice of young people in the discourse surrounding Trinidad and Tobago's climate vulnerabilities! The stories in this curated collection were written by Cari-Bois' first cohort of Youth Journalists.

Did you know that between August and October 2023, Cari-Bois provided a select group of young people from several rural communities - across Trinidad and Tobago - with a blend of virtual and in-person learning experiences which introduced them to the fundamentals of journalism?

Training sessions were facilitated by a mix of former and current journalists, writers and broadcasters with a view to honing basic journalism skills like research, story development and conducting interviews.

Participants of the project also had the opportunity to engage directly with local climate change specialists and cover real-time environmental/climate stories.

The project aimed to:

1) Establish a cohort of young environmentally aware and climate conscious Gen Z multimedia journalists for the Cari-Bois Environmental Network.

2) Engage and invigorate a young audience around climate impacts and actions.

3) Elevate the voices of Gen Z members in national environmental/climate discourse through advocacy and awareness

To read each story, simply click the link contained in each picture's caption and be sure to check out www.caribois.org for more stories!

Happy Earth Day 2024! To commemorate this special day, Cari-Bois presents a curated collection of biodiversity-focused stories which were published on the platform over the past several months.

Each story highlights unique ecosystems across the Caribbean as well as the efforts being undertaken by conservationists to safeguard their wellbeing for future generations.

To read each story, simply click the link contained in each picture's caption and be sure to check out www.caribois.org for more stories.

Have you ever thought about the amount of trash that you generate and toss out every day?

Annually, the International Day of Zero Waste is observed on March 30 and often serves as a reminder of the work that needs to be done to minimise the world's high rate of waste generation and improve waste management practices.

Written by Rachel Ramsey (ACE Facility Facility Program Manager), on behalf of the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF), this article commemorates this year's Day of Zero Waste and reminds readers about the importance of adopting sustainable consumption and production patterns.

A solid waste and marine litter report by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) stated that less than 35 per cent of the waste generated in the Caribbean makes its way to appropriate disposal management and treatment sites.

High waste generation rates, and limited waste management options in the region, will continue to affect the natural environment and have severe consequences.

Solid waste pollution both on land and in waterways continues to affect the quality of the region’s natural environment.

Air pollution substantially affects livelihoods as it gives way to health concerns, decreased quality of life, public safety hazards and loss of revenue through impact to tourism and/or general recreation activities.

Read more here:

https://www.caribois.org/2024/04/why-zero-waste-practices-are-a-pathway-to-sustainable-development/

Why zero-waste practices present a pathway to sustainable development - Cari-Bois Environmental News Network On March 30, the world observed International Day of Zero Waste which is commemorated annually to raise awareness on the work that can be done to minimise high waste generation and mismanagement.