Just Caribbean Updates

The four pillars include: mitigation, adaptation, remediation, and transformation. In particular, the Special Rapporteur suggests that “climate change-related loss and damage…should be seen as part of the remediation pillar,” and outlines measures for countries, multilateral institutions, and businesses to implement to address climate-related losses and damages. 

Lien Vandamme of the Center for International Environmental Law summarizes the new report and explains the importance of the UNSR’s use of a remediation lens throughout the report, and how this impacts developing countries.  

Climate Justice and Energy

• In Fast Company, Lassor Feasley argues for increased support by developed nations – even if not in the form of restorative justice – in helping developing countries face climate-related challenges.
  
  
• Barbuda Council Chairman Devon Warner will participate in the Virtual Island Summit, a global online conference aimed at uniting islands across the globe, says Antigua Observer. 
  
  
• A bay in the Caribbean Sea was contaminated following an oil spill from Venezuela’s El Palito refinery, according to Reuters.
  
   
• The value of Hess’ operations in Guyana are likely to play a role in the high-profile debate between Exxon Mobil and Chevron, says Reuters. 

Decolonisation and Reparations

• Trinidad and Tobago has begun undergoing efforts to redesign its coat of arms, removing references to Christopher Columbus as it seeks further decolonisation initiatives. The ships “will be replaced with the steelpan, a popular percussion instrument that originated in the eastern Caribbean island,” according to AP News. 

Sustainability

• The Caribbean Biodiversity Fund will provide up to $24.7 million in grants for regional sustainability initiatives, including those that focus on marine pollution and biodiversity conservation efforts. (Dominica News Online)
  
  
• Caribbean News Service reflects on the past two years of the Belize Fund, which was created to help protect the country’s marine ecosystem. 

Human Rights

• In her blog “The Great Gender Divergence,” Dr. Alice Evans assesses the history behind the Caribbean’s notorious homophobia, and applies lessons from other countries around the world to the region. 
  
  
• Peaceful protesters in Haiti were tear-gassed by police as they demanded increased efforts by law enforcement to prevent the spread of gang violence in their neighborhoods, reports AP News. 
  
  
• The Guardian chronicles the violence epidemic across the Caribbean, which has been described by experts as one of the most violent regions in the Americas.

Migration 

• Trinidad and Tobago will offer education and access to school lunch and food programs for Venezuelan migrant children who qualify to attend school in the country, according to the Education Minister (Newsday). 
  
  
• Only 23 Venezuelan children have qualified for schooling in Trinidad and Tobago, of the over 2,000 in the country, says Newsday. 

Health

• According to the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO), Antigua and Barbuda and St. Kitts and Nevis have improved their vaccination efforts, spurring the Americas to be the only region “to have exceeded in 2023 the vaccination coverages reported in 2019, prior to the commencement of the COVID-19 pandemic.” 

Grant and Fellowship Opportunities

• Climate Tracker Caribbean is accepting applications from Caribbean journalists to form part of their international Climate Tracker COP29 reporting team. Additional information can be found here. 
  
  
• Echoing Green is accepting applications for a full-time fellowship to help grow the next generation of community leaders. Apply here. 
  
  
• Zovu Action Grants, supporting climate action and social justice initiatives. Movements, activists, and organizations are invited to co-produce and share stories of change on key aspects of sustainable development. Apply here by 26 August. 

Events

• 1 August – 30 November – The International Climate Policy and Advocacy Course (ICPAC) is offering eight modules to prepare climate activists ahead of COP29. More info here.
  
  
• 27 August, 2024 – “The Santiago Network for hashtag#LossAndDamage: Exploring the Role and Engagement of Organisations, Bodies, Networks and Experts as the Members of the Network,” hosted by The Loss and Damage Collaboration. The webinar will focus on averting, minimizing, and addressing loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change at the local, national, and regional level in developing countries. Register. 
  
  
• 27 August, 2024 – “Towards Sustainable Blue Tourism in the Caribbean: Policy Pathways to Support Community-Based Coastal and Marine Tourism,” hosted by CANARI, will delve into the report’s findings and policy recommendations for sustainable community-based coastal and marine tourism in the Caribbean. Register.

Just Caribbean Updates/Arianna Kohan
https://caribbeannewsupdates.blogspot.com

August 22, 2024