Bahamas News
One Trillion Dollars Needed for Climate Crisis; Caribbean calling for Developed Nations to Pay
By Deandrea Hamilton
Editor
#TheBahamas, August 20, 2022 – Time is running out and the Caribbean, the planet is facing an existential crisis which requires urgent action from the big Carbon emitters; that action involves cutting back and according to negotiators at the table, it is also means cutting cheques.
When four regional prime ministers hosted a finale press conference at the close of the Caribbean Regional Heads of Government Meeting in Nassau, Bahamas on Wednesday August 17, the message was clear and consistent, pointing to a compelling case being built for small islands of the Caribbean to demand hassle-free access and assurances to climate financing.
“Clearly we are at the front lines of the existential issue that climate change presents for us on a daily basis and at certain times of the year,” said Dakon Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada, who added, “I think the issue of climate change has gone beyond a moral issue but a justiciable issue and I think that as islands that have borne the brunt of the proven loss and damage arising from the Green House gases that we are entitled to compensation.”
The Caribbean Regional Heads of Government Meeting in Preparation of COP27 hosted by the Commonwealth of The Bahamas was described as an idea whose time had come. The event, staged at the Baha Mar Resort was praised for amalgamating the forces of the region in a two-day caucus which will birth a document articulating the desires, even demands of a region hardest hit by a climate gone haywire.
“I don’t talk about Climate Change, I talk about the Climate Crisis because this is a crisis,” said Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, who was among the four prime ministers in the final press conference.
Mottley, globally renowned now for her unapologetic stance on the disparities and inequitable pressures small island states are made to bear, said time is running out for action to save the planet.
“This is not a case of good COP or bad COP, because whether we have a good COP or bad COP this year or next year, it’s still a death sentence and that’s the point. And the arrogance of the developed world in believing there will not be failed societies or extinct species is what literally galls us.”
Mottley reflected on the volcano eruption which caused a near 100 percent evacuation of all people of Montserrat and she remarked, “I’ve never seen a dinosaur yet, so we know that there is something called extinct species as well. And the reality is that we are playing fast and loose with our future.”
The Caribbean country leaders expressed that it is time for the “culprits” to pay up with fair compensation and non-burdensome loans.
“What we really should be seeking to raise is at least a trillion (dollars), but here’s why: It’s not just that 30 to 40 percent of that should go to climate adaptation, which only governments can spend on, but the rest of it has to go to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”
Quality, free education and accessible, quality health care were cited as among the human development needs which effectively alleviate poverty.
“The developed world accepted that they are the ones who are causing the warming of the environment through their carbon emissions and they also recognized that we in the developing world and we are speaking of the Caribbean in particular are the major victims of their actions and therefore we are entitled to compensation. They agreed that they would provide us with $100 billion a year; that was 14 years ago in Copenhagen, they promised to make $100 billion dollars available to us so that we could put systems in place to mitigate against the impact of climate change. This was supposed to have been materialized in 2020, so we recognized, okay we’re in COVID and everyone has been affected so they’ve put it to 2023,” said Roosevelt Skerrit, Prime Minister of Dominica.
Skerritt candidly shared his frustrations about the unfulfilled promises of those developed nations, explaining that currently the dilemma is in mediation and by now, in a real world situation, this matter would have evolved to a court trial with the victims resoundingly winning the case.
“The reality is that we have to get the developed world to live up to the expectations, because if mediation does not work, then you go back to the judge and say well we couldn’t find agreement and therefore we have to go into open court to deliberate on this matter and let there be a decision.
The Keeping 1.5°C Alive movement reminds that it was the Paris Agreement of 2016 when the international community crafted the ambitious pledge to cool down the planet. Limiting the global average temperature to 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels is the goal, but according to the World Meteorological Organization in a May 2022 report, there is a 93 percent likelihood of the planet exceeding this goal, at least once within the coming five years.
Participating in the two day meeting were representatives from: Antigua and Barbuda; Anguilla; Barbados; Belize; Bermuda; British Virgin Islands; Cayman; Cuba; Dominica; Dominican Republic; Grenada; Guyana; Haiti; Jamaica; Montserrat; St Kitts and Nevis; St Lucia; St Vincent and the Grenadines; Suriname; Trinidad and Tobago and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Meeting host, Philip Davis, Prime Minister of The Bahamas pledged, “At COP 27, our voices will be loud, our voices will be heard and I am certain we will come up with a consensus position as to what we would like to do.”
Davis in that final press event admitted to be cautiously optimistic, “My caution is how the wealthier countries, who are the culprits (if I can call them that) of where we are today are prepared to acknowledge their sins, repent and do what is right in all the circumstances.
I am pleased in what has happened here and I am hoping that one of my colleagues will pick up the challenge to host if (Caribbean Regional Heads of Government Meeting) next year, because we need to do this every year until we get the results that we need.”
Bahamas News
EducationUSA Bahamas Advising Center Officially Opens to Help Students Wishing to Study in the US
By LLONELLA GILBERT
Bahamas Information Services
NASSAU, The Bahamas — The EducationUSA Bahamas Advising Center was officially opened at The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) on Thursday, September 5, 2024, to help students throughout the country have personalized access to free, accurate, current and comprehensive information about US tertiary institutions.
Minister of Education & Technical and Vocational Training the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin thanked the US government for opening
up the Center to help residents achieve the goal of going to a tertiary institution in the US.
The Education Minister said during a recent trip to Cuba, she learned that high school is called “pre-university”.
She noted that many students in The Bahamas believe that after high school, they should go out and work.
She said, “While there is nothing wrong with that, the secondary school experience should be seen as a launching pad for something more, further and greater. We want our young people to see themselves in that way.
“We want to encourage our young people, all of them going through high school, that they are in pre-university. It is just the launching pad for more that is out there for them.”
The Minister added that students should not only see their individual potential, but also come back home after going to a tertiary
institution abroad to help build national capacity.
President, BTVI, Dr. Linda Davis; US Chargé d’Affaires, Kimberly Furnish; EducationUSA Regional Manager for North America, Central America and the Caribbean, Giselle Dubinsky; Public Affairs Officer/US Embassy, Suemayah Abu-Douleh also attended the opening.
Dr. Davis said the use of the Center is not limited to BTVI students. “Bahamians and residents throughout The Bahamas wishing to study in the US should consider EducationUSA at BTVI as their official source of information.”
She explained that in 2019, BTVI and the US Embassy signed a Memorandum of Understanding, agreeing to establish the Center on BTVI’s main campus.
“The Center was operationalized in 2023 and today we celebrate its inauguration. BTVI is pleased to finally reach this milestone and join the global network of over 400 EducationUSA Advising Centers, tasked with facilitating much needed guidance and support for students wishing to matriculate to a US institution.”
The US Chargé d’Affaires said EducationUSA aims to make opportunities to study at US tertiary institutions more accessible to students by providing them with the guidance and resources they need to pursue their academic dreams in the US.
She also explained that part of the mission of the Center is to ensure that students choose tertiary institutions that are accredited.
“The Center will serve as a hub for students, parents and educators seeking information about US higher education. Our advisor Breann Marshall is here to assist every step of the way from selecting the right institution to understanding the VISA requirements.”
PHOTO CAPTION
BIS Photos/Patrick Hanna
Header : Ribbon Cutting
The EducationUSA Bahamas Advising Center was officially opened at The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) on Thursday, September 5, 2024, to help students throughout the country obtain personalized access to free, accurate, current and comprehensive information about US tertiary institutions. US Chargé d’Affaires, Kimberly Furnish and Minister of Education & Technical and Vocational Training the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin performed the ceremonial ribbon-cutting.
Showcase
Advisor, The EducationUSA Bahamas Advising Center, Breann Marshall (centre) shows Minister of Education & Technical and Vocational Training the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin and US Chargé d’Affaires, Kimberly Furnish around the Center.
Jael Joseph’s Digital Platform Embarks on a New Chapter of Empowerment and Creativity
Jael Joseph has officially relaunched BlackIslandGirl.com, transforming her passion project into a dynamic multimedia platform that caters to a wide array of interests and communities. Originally created in 2021 as Joseph’s capstone project at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University), Black Island Girl has now evolved into a comprehensive digital space that reflects her creative vision and commitment to representation, storytelling, and empowerment.
The newly revamped site features a broad range of content sections, including Beauty, Business, Culture, Entertainment, Health and Wellness, Politics, and “The BIG Feature,” a spotlight segment focusing on in-depth stories and profiles. In addition to articles and features, the site’s new “What’s New” section provides event promoters with the opportunity to list their events, making Black Island Girl a go-to source for cultural and community engagement.
One of the most significant changes in this relaunch is the platform’s shift towards multimedia offerings. Businesses can now request
custom commercials and podcasts, giving them new avenues to promote their products and services. This expanded functionality opens the door for Black Island Girl to tap into every corner of modern media, creating a space that engages audiences through multiple forms of content.
Advertisers can now leverage the platform’s growing reach, promoting their brands and services within a diverse and inclusive community. Jael Joseph’s vision for the site goes beyond traditional media, offering opportunities for men and women alike to find inspiration, learn, and connect.
The relaunch of Black Island Girl comes at a time when Joseph is dedicating more time and energy to the project, following the registration of Black Island Girl Multimedia. This business venture further underscores her intent to build a creative and empowering space. Under the same multimedia banner, she also released her debut film Territory, a powerful short documentary that has been recognized internationally. Territory was nominated at several film festivals and took home the award for Best Short Documentary at the 2023 Caribbean Tales International Film Festival, marking another major achievement in Joseph’s creative career.
This relaunch highlights the multifaceted talent of Jael Joseph and her dedication to creating a platform that not only showcases her work but also serves as a source of inspiration for others. With its enhanced offerings, Black Island Girl is now positioned as a go-to multimedia hub for those interested in culture, wellness, business, and more.
As Joseph continues to focus her energy on Black Island Girl, the platform is poised to become an essential digital space that empowers and uplifts. Whether through its rich content, multimedia offerings, or community-focused event listings, Black Island Girl is set to carve out a unique niche in the media landscape, fueled by Jael Joseph’s passion and creativity.
Finance the Hon. Philip Davis said, on September 10, 2024, that it marked the start of an “extraordinary” new chapter for Cat Island.
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