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1.5 to Stay Alive

IPCC climate report paints nightmarish future The recent report on keeping global warming under 1.5 °C by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) paints a nightmarish future for the world – one that is much worse that any of those in previous IPCC reports. It reads like a final wake-up call from scientists on the serious implications of rising global temperatures. The take home message? We’re well on our way towards a 3°C rise at our current rates of global greenhouse gas emissions. The report however sets a crystal-clear target: reduce global greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050 to have a fighting chance of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. This report is a must-read for all government policymakers who must recognise the crucial decisions we now have to make for the future… and fast. Governments around the world must ramp up the transition to low carbon development and sustainable growth or suffer the devastating consequences of rising sea levels, tropical
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Civil Society as an Equal Partner in Sustainable Development

The Trinidad and Tobago Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative ( TTEITI ) held a Regional Symposium on Strengthening CARICOM Energy Collaboration today in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. The symposium was attended by representatives from government ministries and agencies, private sector, academia, media and civil society. This symposium expounded the importance of transparency and accountability of extractive industries, particularly revenue generation, in the fight against corruption as well as the need for improved integration of the EITI process in national governance systems for the extractive industries (whether voluntary or mandatory). Senator the Honourable Franklin Khan, Minister of Energy and Energy Industries delivered the keynote address. Interestingly, he opened his speech with a controversial statement on his views about participatory democracy. According to him, participatory governance should be the remit of the Government who have been constitutionally e
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Gaia Couture (Newsday Article)

By Carla Bridglal December 2, 2017 Trinidad Newsday WNM To call Sasha Jattansingh’s appreciation of the environment a passion would be an understatement. Her entire professional career has been based on education, research and developing environmental policy. Now, she’s chosen a different medium to raise awareness for sustainability — by launching her hand-crafted jewellery line, Gaia Couture. “Gaia Couture’s underlying philosophy is to integrate sustainability with everyday elegance through our handmade, contemporary and unique jewellery pieces. Our jewellery is inspired by nature – the colours, textures, shapes and motifs are all inspired by the beautiful natural environment. I am blessed to live in the Caribbean where there is so much natural beauty around me as my inspiration,” Sasha told WMN. Launched earlier this year with its Reef Collection, Gaia has been making the rounds at local craft markets, where the reception has ranged from curiosity to fascination. Reef was i
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The Circular Economy

The circular economy model promotes sustainable production and consumption through closed-loop production which keep resources in play for as long as possible. It can address climate change issues, resource depletion and waste and it can also encourage economic growth and job creation. Maximizing recycling and re-use of materials is an important principle of the circular economy, however, it is not a panacea. The circular economy model can help countries rethink their economic growth, current production and wasteful consumption patterns and existing power structures in private and public sectors. The United Nations also advocates for the circular economy model through its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). SDG 12: Sustainable consumption and production is about promoting resource and energy efficiency, sustainable infrastructure, and providing access to basic services, green and decent jobs and a better quality of life for all. Sustainable consumption and production aims at “d
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Climathon Port of Spain - Greening the City

Climathon is a global 24-hour climate change hackathon organised by Climate-KIC , which took place simulataenously in cities around the world on October 27, 2017. This is the third Climathon event and has grown from 19 cities in 2015 to 238 cities in 2017.  Climathon attracts entrepreneurs, students, social innovators, professionals and academics to create innovative solutions to climate change issues faced by cities. Each city determines is own local climate challenge that affects their urban life, which can vary from air quality, water management, waste management, extreme weather events or sustainable land use. Participants have 24 hours to develop their solution to the challenge and they then pitch their ideas to relevant local experts and stakeholders. Climathon serves to drive climate action since these ideas can turn into feasible sustainable solutions and social businesses that address climate change challenges in cities worldwide. Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago is the
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Reef Rhapsody 2017 Collection

Gaia Couture’s underlying philosophy is to integrate sustainability with everyday elegance through our handmade, contemporary and unique jewellery pieces. The jewellery is inspired by nature – the colours, textures, shapes and motifs are all inspired by the beautiful natural environment. I am blessed to live in the Caribbean where there is so much natural beauty around me and this inspires the jewellery. Our first collection is entitled 'Reef Rhapsody' and is inspired by the beautiful, delicate and resilient coral reef. Coral reefs are found in more than 100 countries around the world in tropic and subtropic oceans. Trinidad and Tobago also have coral reefs, the largest and most popular being Buccoo Reef in Tobago. Coral reefs support Tobago’s two main economic activities - tourism and fishing through enabling both jobs and food. They also protect the coastline from the damaging effects of ocean swells and tropical storms. They provide a habitat and shelter for many marine spec
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Data is King but Communication is Key

DATA IS KING BUT COMMUNICATION IS KEY. This was one of the key themes that consistently emerged over the past few days at the International Climate Change Conference, hosted by the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre ( CCCCC ) which was held in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago from October 9 to 12, 2017. Over the past four days researchers, scientists, policy-makers and key stakeholders across the Caribbean discussed key issues ranging from current climate change research, climate actions and policy and climate finance. Relevant and highly useful climate information is being generated by various institutions across the Caribbean countries from scientific analysis and modelling of water availability or tropical storm paths to livelihood vulnerability assessments. This international conference served as an important forum to communicate results and lessons learned as well as recommend future synergies and applications of this climate information with Caribbean stakehol
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