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Taking Part In a Green Economy

Ariana Marshall
Jan 6, 2018
4 min read

Image: Compost bin with Moringa

Barbados has a unique place in the world’s green economy. We can argue that each island does but on paper Barbados has already been positioned to take on this leadership role in the Caribbean. Barbadians have a record of excellence from Robyn Rihanna Fenty’s investment in local and global education, to a pioneering solar water industry and most recently - the development of an innovative battery recycling company.

On the ground, Barbadians participate in the green economy in every aspect of life but the benefits aren’t always realized throughout society. Our green economy progress has been published on Huffington Post, countless blogs and peer-reviewed international scientific journals yet Barbados doesn’t receive the sustained recognition it is due. This may be because culturally-speaking, the vernacular of green in Barbados doesn’t always fit into global definitions. Regardless, our definition of green can work to further propel all Caribbean societies towards sustainability.

The realization of green economy benefits seems to be just out of the wider reach for every Barbadian for a few reasons even though Barbados has 1) Hosted the first United Nations Sustainable Development Small Island Developing States (SIDS) conference in 1994; 2) Completed the first UNEP Green Economy Framework study in Latin America and the Caribbean 3) Grown world - renowned entrepreneurs, climate change scientists and environmentally aware artists and 4) Countless stories from our elders of how they lived in a sustainable way.

One of the reasons for our position on the precipice of realizing our green economy may have to do with the structure of our political system and the allowance of public engagement in green economy decisions. Another reason may be how most corporate leadership seems to wait on corporate social responsibility trends to “catch-on” globally before recognizing the relevance to our fragile tourism, nature and agricultural based economy.

Still the good news is that there are signs that Barbados is taking steps towards sculpting their place in the world’s green economy in a very Bajan way. This is important considering that the uptake of any technology, technique or product designed to reduce our footprint on earth or create self-reliant circular economies must always be tried and tested in the unique climate, culture and politics of any place. This is a basic requirement for environmental sustainability interventions to make the necessary differences they can.

For any level of sustainability of green economy development whether they are just small steps or massive institutionalization - these actions must be meaningful beyond our shores and to our shores at the same time. Environmental sustainability requires loyalty, commitment and responsibility to a specific place, in our case our island.

Because of our strong ties to tourism and high import bills in Barbados, environmental sustainability also requires investment from overseas donors. This creates the vision, clarity and resources for execution to disrupt old detrimental technologies. This creates the climate to move away from throw-away society products while attracting green product and technology solutions from global companies with the resources to invest. More importantly, the nurturing of the required climate of trust for green economy changes can only stem from tourists and residents alike adopting an understanding of the value of the environment to ourselves, our children and the historical connection we have to Barbados.

My connection to Barbados is cemented and measured as it is for most Bajans by my ability to own a “piece of de rock”. This was my main goal when I moved back to Barbados - to work diligently and save for my family to afford both a piece and the cost of living on this “rock”. However the barrier most of my generation faces is that we must go against what we may have been taught – that there is job waiting for us and the government is responsible for our success.

Our rising cost of living paired with the impending climate change risks we must adapt to has led to Barbados’ hovering at the fork of potential ecosystem destruction versus green economy leadership. This is an opportunity in itself but it has placed my “piece of rock” ownership aspiration into perspective. Now this vision has been sharpened by a greater one because shared ownership of what this rock looks like in 50 years is more valuable to me. We should all want for the least amount of suffering of those who share Barbados’ environment with. We should all want a quality of living for all Bajans which thrives from healthy ecosystems and efficient social systems which allow us to adapt to climate change. We should all want for the children of this rock to be able to experience its’ beauties in a way that the best parts of the islands are accessible to all, not just overseas investors who understand the value of the green economy, carbon tax offsetting, climate change adaptation and Barbados’ positioning before Bajans do.

We can not accept overseas investment effectively if we don’t demonstrate a record of valuing what we have already. After all it is people who make a place and the beauty of this place is an empty one without Bajan’s participation, direction, creativity, culture and leadership. Barbados has wealth of lessons learned since the 70’s and now is our time to build upon what was agreed at that first UN SIDS conference in 1994 which outlined a green economy direction for islands worldwide in the The Barbados Programme of Action.

This is happening already and as more of us “tek part” we can mobilize our green economy by realizing the amazing value of our tourism industry relationships and partnerships with all Caribbean people.