Victoria Mendizabal contributed research and drafting assistance to today’s newsletter.
Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Keith Rowly declared a “national emergency” last Sunday, in response to a significant oil spill near the twin-island nation that has particularly affected Tobago’s southwest coast. (AP) The oil came from an overturned vessel found drifting off the coast, last week.
Authorities confirmed this week that it was an overturned barge that was being pulled by tugboat from Panama to Guyana.
Nearly 45 kilometers of combined coastline and near-shore marine areas have been impacted by the oil spill. (Trinidad and Tobago Weather Center) The Tobago Emergency Management Agency noted some damage done to nearby reefs, the extent of which is still being ascertained. (Loop)
The government is prioritizing cleanup, despite high costs, in order to respond to a serious environmental threat. (The Guardian)
“We may require help because once we start talking about salvaging, which is to get the vessel in a situation where we can control what goes on, we have to have outside help”, Rowely said. (Trinidad and Tobago Guardian)
Divers identified the ship as Gulfstream but attempts to further explore the wreck to ascertain the vessel’s registration number have been unsuccessful due to poor visibility and the ship’s frequent movement in shallow water. (Trinidad and Tobago Weather Center)
“This spill comes at a critical time, at the height of the Carnival season, a mainstay of tourism in Tobago. Pollution, therefore, threatens not only the marine biodiversity and beaches of the region but also this important source of income”, science journalist Sergio Parra told National Geographic.
Trinidad and Tobago is the largest oil producer in the Caribbean; according to the World Bank, its petroleum and petrochemicals industry generates more than a third of its gross domestic product, reports the Washington Post.
The Caribbean and The World
Kenyan officials are committed to proceeding with an international security mission to Haiti, despite legal obstacles. The deployment of 1,000 police officers from Kenya is intended to address the escalating gang violence in Haiti. (The Cipher Brief)
UNCTAD called for urgent global debt architecture reforms to support developing countries facing a potential debt crisis. The recommendations include increasing concessional loans and grants, issuing special drawing rights for liquidity, enhancing transparency in lending, improving access to foreign currencies, and introducing climate-resilient debt clauses.
Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne defended the nation's relationship with China, highlighting the developmental assistance received and the opening of an embassy in Beijing at no cost to the government. (Caribbean Life)
Human Rights
There is an urgent need for modern prison facilities in Jamaica, particularly following damage from a 5.6-magnitude earthquake to the Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre and another facility in Spanish Town, argues the Jamaica Gleaner in an editorial.
As the strike by teachers continues across Guyana, dozens of the educators in the North West District joined their colleagues on the Coastland in protest this week as they called on the government for an increase in their salaries, among other demands. (Kaieteur News, see last week’s post.)
Striking teachers in Guyana accuse the government of implementing bullying tactics amid ongoing strikes for higher salaries. The Ministry of Education's announcement of salary deductions for unauthorized absence has intensified tensions. Teachers, represented by the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU), emphasize their demand is economic, not political, seeking fair compensation rather than responding to intimidation. (Kaieteur News)
Climate and Environmental Justice
Barbudan residents, led by local fisherman and tour guide George Jeffery and the Global Legal Action Network, have filed a lawsuit against the government of Antigua and Barbuda. The suit aims to overturn a construction permit granted to develop two private villas within Codrington Lagoon National Park on the island of Barbuda. (Jamaica Gleaner)
This lawsuit is part of broader resistance against development projects threatening Barbuda’s ecosystems, including wetlands crucial for carbon sequestration and habitat for endangered species. (Jamaica Gleaner)
Marine guardians in Jamaica and Tobago face challenges as they strive to protect coral reefs from the threats posed by climate change-related stressors, such as coral reef diseases and bleaching events. (Jamaica Gleaner)
Jamaican biologist and environmentalist Wendy Lee highlights the devastating impact the proposed Mammee River Development Project could have on biodiversity and the natural heritage of Jamaica's St. Ann parish. (Petchary’s Blog)
Caroline Mair-Toby, director of the Institute for Small Islands highlights the significance of recent developments in climate negotiations, particularly the operationalization, and funding of Loss and Damage initiatives. Mair-Toby, who is from Trinidad and Tobago, emphasizes the importance of indigenous perspectives in climate discussions and expresses concern about the potential sidelining of the "1.5 to stay alive" goal amidst the focus on fossil fuel phase-out. (Newsday)
The Oil and Gas Governance Network’s submission to the UN Human Rights Committee on Guyana underscores the need for comprehensive measures to ensure that oil and gas activities do not compromise human rights standards. The focus is on enhancing transparency, public participation in decision-making, and the safeguarding of environmental rights, aiming for a balanced approach to economic development while upholding the rights and welfare of all citizens.
For the first time, the global average temperature has exceeded the crucial 1.5C warming limit over an entire year, as reported by the EU’s climate service. This development signals an urgent call for action to cut carbon emissions, despite not breaking the Paris agreement's long-term goals. (BBC)
Plans for large-scale agricultural development in Suriname have led to concerns over deforestation, impacting hundreds of thousands of hectares of primary forest. Indigenous communities, conservationists, and some parliament members oppose these plans due to the threat to the Amazon and ancestral lands. (Mongaby)
Saint Vincent and the Grenadine’s government is implementing regulations limiting fishing activity at Buccament Bay in anticipation of Sandals Beaches Resort’s opening. Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves emphasized the need for cleanliness and organization to enhance the tourism experience. (iWitnessNews)
A new report published by CIEL concludes that states have viable legal and policy options to safeguard their climate action measures, specifically those targeting the fossil fuel sector, from being challenged under International Investment Agreements through the Investor-State Dispute Settlement mechanism.
The latest Caribbean Climate Calabash podcast episode features Stefanie Lauchman, a young climate journalist from Suriname who discusses the aftermath of COP28, her stories about indigenous people in Suriname, and more. Listen.
A recent study on sclerosponges in the Caribbean Sea reveals that the impact of global warming may be more significant than previously believed. By analyzing the chemical composition of these centuries-old sea creatures' skeletons, researchers have constructed a revised history of climate change. (Repeating Islands)
Democratic Governance
Jamaican local government elections on February 26 are seen as a referendum on Prime Minister Andrew Holness and the Jamaica Labor Party. The opposition People's National Party is aiming for a comeback after a significant defeat in the 2020 general elections. (Caribbean Life)
“If we really want our voices to be heard, we should focus our energies on comprehensive constitutional reform that can improve local governance, empower people, and improve their standard of living”, states Rosalea Hamilton, PhD, founding director, the Institute of Law & Economics, for the Jamaica Gleaner.
Energy
Guyanese Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo supports ExxonMobil's shift from announcing new oil discovery volumes to focusing on monetizing existing finds in Guyana's Stabroek Block. (Kaieteur News)
Culture
The nomination of the "Cali Roots Riddim 2023" for Best Reggae Album at the Grammy Awards is a significant milestone, representing the widespread influence of Jamaican music on a global scale. (Repeating Islands)
"Forbes Burnham: The Life and Times of the Comrade Leader" by Linden F. Lewis, published by Rutgers University Press, is the first political biography exploring Forbes Burnham's complex legacy in Guyana. The book delves into Burnham's role in leading Guyana to independence in 1966, his tenure as head of state, and his influence on the country's political and social landscape. (Repeating Islands)
The blue devil masqueraders of Trinidad and Tobago’s Carnival in Paramin are fighting to keep their tradition alive. Despite facing challenges, they continue to showcase their unique culture with performances that include fire-breathing and wearing costumes made from a special blue paste. (BBC)
The exhibition "Entangled Pasts: Art, Colonialism, and Change" at London's Royal Academy, running through April 28, 2024, presents a critical exploration of history, juxtaposing works by contemporary artists with historical paintings and documents. This show challenges the academy's historically white bias by featuring artists like Frank Bowling, Kerry James Marshall, and Lubaina Himid. (Repeating Islands)
The 32nd Havana International Book Fair, set to take place from February 15 to 25 at the Morro Cabaña Historic-Military Park in Havana, Cuba, is gearing up to be a significant cultural event. With representatives from 45 countries and over 1,000 new publications being featured, attendees can expect a rich literary experience. (Repeating Islands)
Opportunities
Island Innovation is on the lookout for new talents to join their 100% remote team. They are seeking three main positions: Senior Project Manager, Business Development Associate, and Administrative Assistant. Learn more.
Structuralia and the OAS are offering 2,000 grants for online master’s degrees, focusing on STEM areas. These grants cover 50% of tuition costs and aim at fostering professional development in Latin America. The programs are in collaboration with UCAM, offering a double degree. Eligibility includes residency in an OAS member state, a motivation letter, and necessary documentation. The application deadline is March 8, 2024. Learn more.
The OHCHR invites States and other stakeholders to submit relevant information, notably about intersectional discrimination against Africans and people of African descent and advancing racial justice and equality through an intersectional approach. This call for inputs seeks to inform the preparation of the 2024 report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 47/21. Learn more.
The OHCHR calls for input on a report exploring the impact of climate change on girls' education rights, addressing barriers, adaptation needs, and empowerment strategies to contribute to climate change agendas. This initiative seeks comprehensive insights into challenges and measures for ensuring education that is accessible, acceptable, adaptable, and available, particularly for marginalized girls, by March 1, 2024. Learn more.
The Committee to Support Implementation and Compliance of the Escazú Agreement is seeking public input on its draft Working Modalities. This document, essential for the Committee's operations, aims to ensure objectives and functions are properly executed within the framework of the agreement on environmental matters in Latin America and the Caribbean. Public comments, especially on open dialogues, measures for vulnerable groups, rapid response mechanisms, and guidance on admissibility criteria, are welcomed until 29 February 2024. Learn more.
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) EMPOWER project, Caritas Antilles, and the CALP Network are offering a five-day in-person training in Castries, St. Lucia, from May 27, 2024, focusing on Core Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) Skills for Programme Staff. This training aims to enhance participants' understanding and implementation of CVA in humanitarian responses. Applicants must complete specific online courses and submit their certificates by March 8, 2024. Apply.
Events
On February 27th, to honor World ONG Day 2024 in Trinidad and Tobago the organization Mind Yuh Business is hosting a panel discussion on Intersectional CSO Advocacy in which CSO leaders on the importance of intersectional advocacy will discuss advancing individual and collective impact, and lessons learned from their experiences in Trinidad and Tobago. Register.
29th February, The Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute Special Interest Group (SIG) on Ocean Justice invites to a panel discussion on Ocean Justice The panel, consisting of leading scholars, activists, and practitioners from different disciplines and backgrounds, will consider the idea of “Ocean Justice” in a multifaceted and intersectional manner. The event will be hybrid. Register.