Year in Review: Climate Justice Remained a Pressing Issue for the Caribbean in 2024

The year 2024 stood as a testament to the Caribbean’s enduring spirit and resilience, particularly in the realm of environmental concerns. This year further solidified the region’s position as both a victim and advocate in the ongoing battle for climate justice, a theme resonating deeply across both community initiatives and global forums. Themes related to the environment dominated nearly 40 percent of the region’s discussions, marking the highest proportion recorded in recent years.

Central to this discourse was the devastating impact of Hurricane Beryl in late June and early July. This Category 4 hurricane not only set records with its rapid development, attributed to unprecedented ocean temperatures, but it also left a profound impact on lives and the economy within the small islands it hit. The storm was a poignant reminder of the Caribbean’s role as a harbinger of the wider climate crisis, revealing systemic inequalities and injustices tethered to environmental calamities.

Recovery narratives emphasized moving beyond physical reconstruction, advocating for approaches that address social dimensions like restoring livelihoods and community well-being. This holistic view argues for greater accountability and engagement from governments in managing the aftermath of such disasters.

The environmental challenges of 2024 also prompted fears about oil spill contingencies, exacerbated by an oil spill in Tobago in February. As Guyana’s oil production surged with its newly discovered reserves, concerns about potential environmental catastrophes grew. Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) came into sharp focus, highlighting the vital role they play in safeguarding the intricate ecosystems of the Caribbean.

Protests erupted in Aruba against unchecked tourism and hotel industry expansion, fueled by influences rooted in colonial history. Environmental degradation through the loss of native land to external investors has been a pressing issue on the island, generating significant public outcry.

Barbados faced its own ecological challenges, with the threat of losing its iconic bearded fig tree and witnessing a decline in flying fish populations. These concerns underscored the need for strategic conservation efforts amidst changing climatic dynamics.

In response to these pressing challenges, some Caribbean nations have adopted innovative approaches. Trinidad and Tobago, for example, launched a blue carbon credit system aimed at financing mangrove conservation, capitalizing on the significant carbon mitigation potential of these ecosystems. Belize took similar strides, deploying ‘blue bonds’ as financial instruments to swap debt for commitments to marine conservation.

The international spotlight was on Antigua and Barbuda in May, as the nation hosted the 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4). Here, dialogues revolved around establishing robust frameworks for an equitable transition from fossil fuels, tailored to the unique susceptibilities of small island nations.

Meanwhile, the RedLAC Congress in St. Lucia, just before COP16, highlighted the region’s dedication to aligning conservation targets with the newly adopted Global Biodiversity Framework. This initiative aims to protect 30 percent of land and sea areas by 2030, reinforcing the necessity for cooperative regional efforts.

The Caribbean’s dynamic environmental narrative in 2024 was not without rays of hope and innovation. From the empowerment of fisherwomen advocating for gender justice in climate forums to the Dominican Republic’s pivot towards electric vehicles, positive strides were indeed visible.

Human curiosity and connection to nature remained evident, as demonstrated by the widespread interest in stories like the flowering of the rare Talipot Palm in Trinidad, an event drawing considerable attention and fascination. This continuing bond between humans and the natural world fuels the resolve to fight for both the planet’s future and our collective survival.