“Climate Change Day of Action” building momentum in Dominica

Dominica has felt the beginning impact of our warming planet. We know Dominica alone cannot stop Climate Change, yet we can come together to prepare our communities to survive the extreme weather events that are coming. We can build a more resilient and sustainable society.

On Saturday, November 28th in the Botanical Garden in Roseau, a group of concerned citizens sponsored what they called Dominica’s first “Climate Change Day of Action” in solidarity with groups around the world staging similar actions, ahead of the Paris Climate Summit.

The Waitukubli Ecological Movement (WEF) sponsored this event, along with partners, which began at 2:30 in the Gardens and culminated with a showing of the documentary “This Changes Everything.” At the Alliance Francaise.

The interactive focus was the construction of a huge waterfall made entirely out of plastic bottles, with a mother and a child made of bottles, looking into a pool filled with plastic bottles. Children and the general public contributed their empty bottles and joined in completing this impressive creation, which was designed by Natalie Roland and Pip Crosley. This sculpture was installed within the giant fig free in the Gardens and will remain in place until the New Year. Children contributed their own Green Messages for Dominica. One read: “Don’t extract energy.” Gordon Henderson composed and recorded a song for the event and to raise awareness about Climate Change.

Music started off the day by D.J. Sleem, Benny and Milva and drumming by Derrick “Rah” Peters, followed by Jessica Canham offering a welcome and introducing the day’s MC Val Cuffy. Miranda Langlais, of the Karina Cultural Group offered an opening prayer and presented the Kalinago perspective. Poet Bonti Liverpool performed his work. Bernard Wiltshire, representing the Waitukubuli Ecological Movement, spoke about understanding the impact of Climate Change in Dominica. This was followed by a musical statement by Dr. Silk. The Roman Catholic Bishop Gabriel Malzaire spoke about the Pope’s important message regarding his Papal Encyclical on the Environment and Climate Change.

Other presenters included Shawna Johnson, who offered valuable tips and crafts for teaching children about Climate Change. Pip Crosley explained the significance of the plastic bottle waterfall sculpture to build awareness about the need to recycle plastic bottles and to reduce their use. Students from the Dominica State College Environmental Club Khanisha James and Malcolm Brewster spoke about what their club is doing to raise awareness among the youth. The group Vivace Acoustic and Aaron Hawkins shared their music. Monelle Alexis presented a powerful poem about what humans have done to their environment.

Children from the Portsmouth Secondary School were the hit of the day, performing an original musical wrap they composed about climate change and what we can do. There were also brief talks from a representative from the Office of Disaster Management and Jeno Jacob from Solid Waste Management Corp. Nathalie Roland spoke about the advantage of compostable products. As the sun was setting, everyone was invited to watch the film being shown at Alliance Francaise adjacent to the Gardens.

For Video Highlights of the Event go to: https://youtu.be/9dF_s–OGyM

This event, held to raise community awareness of the need for individual and societal change, was sponsored by

– Alliance Francaise
– 100% Green
– Forestry Division
– LINK International Productions
– Pirates Ltd.
– Dominica Solid Waste Management Corp
– The Aid Bank
– DMG Photography + Design
– Josephine Gabrielle & Co. Ltd.
– Portsmouth Community Watch Foundation
– The Literary Festival
– ARGOS
– Rotary Club of Dominica