10 personal reasons for launching the Better Caribbean Program.

This = Infinite reasons. Not reason enough? Keep reading.

1.Do it but do it together.

At my core, I am all about building community. Specifically, communities of practice between people who are “do-ers” and not just talkers. The Better Caribbean program was designed to build these communities of practice.

2.What does it mean to be green?

A resounding reality of healthy and green businesses is that they all want to reach more people, continue to reduce their environmental impact, try to ban Styrofoam, put solar on everything and clear the gutters of garbage and mosquitoes. All of that is not just about being green but about making our quality of life better, all of these actions improve our health.

Whether you want to debate on what is green or not, the truth is our concern about our health can motivate us to make these "green" changes. This is human nature and it is ok. This concern for our health motivates our program, it motivates me.

3.Cancer is everywhere.

I’ve faced 2 diagnoses of cancer in my close family and had two scares of “could be cancer”, one of which was personal. I am thoroughly motivated. I am ready to address the issue of how our business practices, personal choice of products and technology contribute to our risk of cancer. At the same time I am ready to move us as a region to practices, products and technology which not only reduce our cancer risk but have the potential to reduce the suffering which cancer causes.

4. Dance away our problems.

I love to dance, and so do many people in the Caribbean. If all else fails with this program, at least in 3 years we can convert our dance energy to electrical energy through our energy dance floor fundraising project.

5.What funding?

Funding from outside of the region is disappearing or funders are asking for much more in terms results than they have in the last 10 years. This is the nature of external (to the region) funding entities. After they realize one project has failed, the next project will be required to do more to ensure it doesn’t fail. After one project succeeds, this also proves that another project can do more because maybe the bar was set to low to facilitate the success.

Obtaining funding from outside of the region will continue to become more difficult. Our role through the Better Caribbean program is to support you on this path of obtaining this funding if you choose, however our focus is to ensure that your business can sustain itself without these forms of external funding.

6. Unfinished work.

This may be a bit selfish but this program is a way for me to finish off some work I started two years ago by working more sustainably and organically.

7. Bajan yankee life.

My life and relationships are a testimony of how we can make a connection between individuals in the Caribbean Diaspora and Caribbean based businesses. I want to instill trust between the Caribbean diaspora and those who are interested in investing in a meaningful way to create a “Better Caribbean” through this program.

8.Everything is connected. Science says so.

As an environmental scientist I studied ecosystems. In conclusion, everything is connected. That is all we really need to understand. That is the way I work – everything is connected. However we still have to focus on each part of the system problem by problem, solution by solution. Multiple businesses need to be working on different solutions to societal and business related problems. This program will be our ecosystem for connecting this work.

9. Organic likes.

This work will not be immediately popular, it will take time to grow. We understand this. We are trying to create a channel to stream a message of a certain consciousness based on solutions created by useful learning.

Rest assured though, we work organically but we are results –oriented. This is possible. How often do you see that from a non-profit organization?

10. Work ethic and vision.

With the work ethic and vision of everyone involved, we are sure that in time the fruits of our work will become popular and interesting for the general public. In the meantime, if you understand where I'm coming from or are curious about the program – come to our public launch (light live food refreshments will be served) Tuesday February 23, 2016 at noon Light Body Wholistic Clinic (Pelican Village, Bridgetown). What is live food? Come find out.

Or contact us at caribbeansustainability@gmail.com today.

You can read more about the Better Caribbean Program here.