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5 ways Barbados is doing the most when it comes to sustainability and entertainment

Ariana Marshall
Aug 10, 2016
7 min read

Aerial Video of Barbados During Crop Over by the Reality Weekends Channel

Audio - Money Well Spent by Biggie Irie

The opportunity of the Crop Over Festival

Every year Barbados, an island sized at only 166 square miles, does the most when it comes to summer fun for the Crop Over festival.

This annual festival began as a celebration of enslaved Africans at the end of the sugar cane season. Now, from June to August there is no shortage of good vibes to soak up, parties and performances to attend and good food to eat. For the street party which happens every first Monday in August, also known as Kadooment Day, a record 28 bands participated in 2016. In the week leading up to the street party climax, there were more than 60 Crop Over events to attend.

Lifted Crop Over Event by Elevate Events Live, The Booze Cruise and Jus Jay Events.

Photo by Andrew Browne Photography

For an island which is already 18 times more densely populated per square kilometre than the U.S., one of the top 20 most water stressed countries and recently entertained the idea of a waste to energy facility to deal with waste issues – the impact of the Crop Over festival on economy and environment is colossal.

There are already a ¼ million people living on the island. Just search the hashtag #cropover2016 and you will see how many more people have descended on the island for the Crop Over season. Patrons are also drawn to these shores by the celebrity run-in possibility of Barbados grown pop star Rihanna.

With this impact, there is a grand opportunity for Barbados to lead the way in making the festival environmentally sustainable. Since 2014, some even think this tiny island is beating the U.S. on the road to Green energy. And, this sustainability is definitely in the islands' interest – with climate change affecting rain patterns, rising temperatures and seas. The cost of doing business in this island is also sharply defined by having one of the highest costs of electricity in the Caribbean region.

So where environment meets economy to save money and save the island – here’s how Barbados is working on doing better in the name of sustainability.

1. Solar then. Solar now. Sun-powered parties.

Consumers in Barbados have been saving money by using solar technology since the 1970’s. The island has the 5th highest number of solar water heaters per capita which is estimated to have saved $U.S 130 million over the decades. Barbados has one of the only solar powered desalination plants in the Caribbean region and this operating model will become increasingly important as it now only provides 30% of the island’s water needs.

Ionics Desalination Facility, St.Michael Barbados - Williams Solar photo voltaic system

Over 2500 homes have already installed solar . Local renewable energy companies such as Williams Solar see the opportunity in installing for both small and large businesses so that no one is left behind in a sun-powered revolution.

What does this have to do with entertainment?

The more money saved on solar, the more money there is to enjoy Crop Over time. Yes it is true! That and Crop Over event organizers have seen the reduced costs of having day parties as opposed to electricity guzzling night events. There is even a beach event called Solar.

100% off grid renewable energy entertainment events may be a thing soon in Barbados

2. LED Lit

LED lightbulbs can bring a return on investment to householders and businesses within two months. The Barbadian government has recognized this and in partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank, there have been several projects which have given rebates for householders using energy efficient products such as LEDs.

The local government has also installed LED lighting at Crop Over venues such as along the Spring Garden Highway where the street party for Kadooment day ends.

Spring Garden Highway - Kadooment Day (image below)

Event organizers and international brands have also used LED displays to amp up their events. The Lifted Crop Over event in partnership with EventOne used two 2000 watt LED displays for an additional visual platform for corporate sponsors. Then of course there is the whole carbon emissions and energy efficiency advantage of lighting up the action on stage with LEDs.

3. R and R – Recycling and Reusing that is.

Although the country hasn’t developed a centralized recycling system – recycling still happens. The onus lies on individuals and businesses to recycle their waste. Traditionally, if you drive through any rural Barbadian community you will see how gardens are embellished and watered with PET bottles. So reusing waste in a crafty way is nothing new to the island. What may be new is how increasing volumes of waste are managed more efficiently through corporate social responsibility with a green twist.

For Crop Over this green twist was explored fittingly so because Caribbean alcohol brands heavily depend on the festival to engage their target audiences. Pioneers in the rum industry - Mount Gay Distilleries along with five entertainment event brands - Elevate Events, Ruk-a-tuk Promotions, Esquire Entertainment, Baje International and DM Celebrations reduced their plastic waste impact on the landfill by using biodegradable food ware and recycling plastic at Crop Over events in partnership with the Better Caribbean Program.

Recyclables collected at the Bliss Event by Esquire Entertainment.

But recycling plastic bottles is not enough and luckily because of the competition to gain the party-goers attention - event organizers have gone up another level to stand out.

By using 40ft containers hoisted by cranes and derelict cars objects considered industrial waste - another dimension is brought to Elevate Entertainment events.

The industrial look also creates unique branding opportunities. Heineken has an established global environmental sustainability commitment but when their logo is simply projected on a 40ft container - that speaks volumes more in a dialect understood best locally -

"Waste not want not and BRING DRINKS!"

Caribbean patrons much rather alcohol companies spend their marketing budget on spectacular drink deals rather than glitzy branding gimmicks.

Children - the future of Crop Over

The children are not forgotten for Crop Over. Bands participating in the children’s version of the street parade - Junior Kadooment – use recycled materials for costumes and have even reinvented the concept of robots to do recycling good deeds. Quimby's Youth Explosion Band has transformed their "Environmental Super Heroes" theme to include Lex Pollu-thor, the Green Footprint and Hydroman. These costumes double as both environmental education for on-lookers and self-esteem builders for children who are looking for their crew of environmentally aware friends. This has to be a promising sign for the future of the island.

R3 Robots armour made from 100% Recycled materials in the Quimby's Explosion Band during Junior Kadooment.

4. All kinds of businesses do better for the environment in Barbados

Whether businesses are certified green businesses, international green festival exhibitors or educational campaign supporters - businesses of all sizes and types are integrating environmental sustainability into their operations and products.

Barbados hosts the only regionally recognized green business certification program and one of these certified businesses, Harris Paints is also Greenwise certified from the Coatings Research Group Inc.. The range of certified green businesses include restaurants, organic farmers, insurance companies, wellness products, natural hair care, architectural groups, waste management companies, renewable energy providers and local artisans.

Barbados is serious about building a business ecosystem to drive their green economy. Twenty-one Barbados based businesses were certified as green businesses in 2015, 13 Barbados based businesses have exhibited their products at the Green Festival Washington, D.C. in 2016 while another 13 have been involved in engaging the public in environmental education campaigns.

Light Body Wholistic Clinic/Organic Earth Juice Bar - Certified Green Business in 2015.

5. Entertainers and radio announcers elevate environmental problems and find solutions.

In the Caribbean, radio is considered more effective engagement than television and social media combined. This engagement is not limited to the Caribbean region. Many Caribbean nationals who are scattered throughout the world use online streams of radio stations to stay connected to the pulse of the region whether through Caribbean music or the issues raised on call-in programs. This is a powerful connection for channeling resources outside of the region to solve issues which the region can not face alone.

Likewise, because deejays and radio announcers frequently hear complaints about the island’s issues on these call-in shows – some of them have become well-versed in directing people to solutions or elevating issues nationally. If you listen in regularly, you will hear how this elevation also results in resolution of basic issues related to waste management or issues which arise from the population density pressures on infrastructure. This may just be the most culturally relevant form of solution oriented public engagement there is.

To compliment this, the role of musical social commentary and even the rising Barbadian bashment soca tells you almost everything about life in Barbados including the environmental issues facing the island. For a while, there have been entertainers who have been dropping environmental mentions while others have sung very directly about environmental issues. Popular Barbadian artists such as the Mighty Gabby and MADD have songs which are signs of the environmental times and tell of the country's response to the stresses faced. In climate change lingo, this just may be the most fun example of adaptation and resilience there is.

All in all Barbados is doing the most while still considering the urgency of sustaining the island. Sustainability is in the island's interest especially now just in time to celebrate 50 years of independence on November 30, 2016.

For every other island in the Caribbean region and beyond, how Barbados manages a passion for partying, the traditions of the Crop Over festival and the islands economy already serves as a unique example of how culture, sustainability and entertainment can create solutions which are effectively bound to the social fabric of a place.