Reggae Music Sustains Caribbean Climate Change Campaign

March 1st, 2016

Remember the slogan: One Point Five to Stay Alive? Well, the Caribbean campaign to keep global temperatures to a maximum 1.5 degree rise had an extraordinary impact on the COP21 UN Climate Change Conference in Paris last December. And musicians helped to amplify the message, guided and encouraged by the dedicated team at Panos Caribbean.

It’s not over yet – in fact, the real work is about to begin. Actions speak louder than words, and now as inspiration we have the music. Earth Inspired is the name of a new album of eleven songs, aimed at continuing to stoke the fires of activism on climate change. At the launch earlier in February, we sat in a wide circle and enjoyed the singing of Aaron Silk, Minori Russell and Pam Hall. We swayed and rocked to Environment Blues by Pam Hall, accompanied by her daughter; Keep on Trying by Minori Russell; and I could not stop replaying Aaron Silk’s signature One Point Five to Stay Alive in my head. It is an incredibly catchy tune. Lloyd Lovindeer also produced a song, but was unfortunately unwell that evening. Other artistes on the CD include Banky Banx from Anguilla; BelO from Haiti; E.sy Kennenga from Martinique; Jessy Leonce, Ace Loctar and Shayne Ross from St. Lucia; David Rudder from Trinidad; and Taj Weekes and Deridee Williams from St. Lucia – an island that has been at the forefront of the Caribbean campaign.

Indi Mclymont Lafayette of Panos Caribbean. (Photo: Caribbean News Service)

The Jamaican singers didn’t just sing. Panos Caribbean’s Indi Mclymont Lafayette pointed out to us that they really did their homework. They researched, learned about climate change, and were able to talk about it confidently and from a knowledgeable position. It was a learning process for them, and they themselves are so much more aware that they consider climate change and environmental impact now in their everyday actions and behavior. They can demonstrate to fellow Jamaicans, with conviction, what they should and should not be doing.

Aaron Silk, in particular, has an engaging and open personality, a warm voice (quite unlike the nasal tones of his brother, the late Garnet Silk) – and an infectious enthusiasm. I heard that the Caribbean Pavilion became a magnet for passers by and weary conference participants in Paris, who were drawn to the pounding reggae beat. Aaron became so popular that he was invited to perform at a special event for Caribbean officials. The power of music is not to be under-estimated. Congratulations to all the singers – you made us feel very proud.

Aaron Silk at the Caribbean Pavilion in Paris last December. (Photo: Panos Caribbean)

Panos Caribbean spearheaded the One Point Five to Stay Alive campaign with the support of the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre; the St. Lucia Ministry of Sustainable Development, Energy, Science and Technology; the Caribbean Development Bank, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States; the Regional Council of Martinique. They were naturally suited to do so, having nurtured a group of Jamaican singers over the years under the umbrella of Voices for Climate Change. The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) – represented by Deputy Director General Claire Bernard at the album launch – the Meteorological Service of Jamaica and others have partnered with Panos to deliver climate messages across the island – including school visits and many other public occasions.

Women for climate change: New COP21 President Segolene Royal (left) met with UNFCCC Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres for the first time on February 22 in Bonn. They need to build momentum towards the signing of the Paris Climate Change Agreement in April. (Photo: UNFCC)

Meanwhile, Ségolène Royal, the French Minister of the Environment, Energy and the Sea, has taken over as the new COP21 President, to guide all the nations that gathered in Paris towards the official signing of the Paris Climate Change Agreement at UN Headquarters in New York. “The world now has a universal, fair, flexible and durable climate agreement,” UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said recently. “Our task is not over. In fact, it has just begun. In 2016, we must go from words to deeds. The 22 April signature ceremony is an essential step.”

Sean Paul jetted into Paris too for COP21. I don’t think he performed but hope he contributed something positive. (Photo: UNFCC)

The next major UN Climate Change Conference will take place in Bonn 16 – 26 May this year, and the next Conference of the Parties will be held in Marrakech, Morocco from 7 -18 November, 2016. I feel sure that, buoyed by their success, Caribbean nations and other Small Island Developing States (SIDS) across the world will continue to make an impact. After all, almost half of the SIDS are in the Caribbean, and we have been sitting up and taking notice for quite some time.

And so, on to New York and to April 22. Does that date ring a bell? Yes, of course. It’s Earth Day.

Singers Aaron Silk of Jamaica (left) and Adrian Martinez of Belize perform at the Caribbean Pavilion. (Photo: Panos Caribbean)

Tags: Aaron Silk, Anguilla, Belize, Caribbean, Climate Change, COP21, Haiti, Indi Mclymont Lafayette, Jamaica, Martinique, New York, One Point Five to Stay Alive, Panos Caribbean, Paris, Planning Institute of Jamaica, reggae music, Small Island Developing States, St. Lucia, sustainable development, Trinidad, UN Climate Change Conference, UNFCCC, Voices for Climate Change