Communities across the Caribbean are calling for renewable energy initiatives rooted in justice.
During this month, community members have been gathering in various Caribbean nations as part of Power Up, a Global Day of Action calling for a renewable energy revolution. As fossil fuel companies publish another round of billion-dollar profits, people across the globe took to the streets to spotlight the industry’s greed and reclaim the money and power to fund a just future powered by the sun and the wind.
The leading team of Haiti Climate Network, held an activity in Port-Au-Prince where 60 young people received training over a 2-day period on solar light installations. Together, they installed solar street lights in an area that was previously dark and unsafe to traverse at nights. Haiti Climate Network is ensuring safer communities through access to sustainable electricity.
In San Fernando, the Trinidad and Tobago Climate Network held an art and writing exhibition around the theme of ‘Perspectives of Trinidad and Tobago on the Just Transition’. This exhibition of pieces by the people of Trinidad and Tobago aimed to explore the diverse viewpoints and creative expressions of artists and writers in relation to the urgent issue of climate change and the concept of a just transition. An Anthology will be published featuring the artwork and writings.
In Guyana, participants engaged in a panel discussion and exhibition organized by Climate Network Guyana. Speakers shared insights on Guyana’s green shift, highlighting renewable energy challenges, opportunities, and what a just transition looks like for Guyanese citizens. Innovative projects and initiatives of organizations leading the charge for renewable energy were on display for attendees to explore.
Jamaican community leaders are powering up renewable energy for schools. Plakortis and Guardians of the Green launched a mural and environmental awareness corner at two Primary Schools where they continue to engage students and teachers on the importance of switching from fossil fuels, and call for community leaders to invest in renewable energy solutions for schools and other public buildings.
Additional actions have been planned in the Dominican Republic, Grenada and Puerto Rico, where people joined together to call for just and safe renewable energy for all.
The Caribbean Climate Network has been supporting the organization of these events along with other climate related initiatives over the past years. Power Up is an initiative led by 350.org and partners all around the world. We are joining forces with local movements, groups, and communities to spotlight people power and renewable solutions as tools of resistance in the fight against the climate-wrecking fossil fuel industry.
One cannot read or listen to the news these days without being bombarded with climate change, renewable energy, climate resilience, reducing the carbon footprint. But, conflictingly, the best moneyed and prospering countries all mostly the oil producing ones. Guyana just struck black gold (crude oil) and is outperforming all her CARICOM colleagues economically.
Listening to the international news just last night, the most prolific
producers of petroleum are planning to expand their production. Where is the concern for climate change?
Crude oil brings the producing countries money, lots of it. Money brings power and influence. Saudi Arabia is now a powerful influencer in world affairs despite its horrendous human rights record. Why? Oil + Money = Power & Influence