Bridgetown, Barbados 2014:
Chosen Theme: Raise your Voice, not the Sea Level
Barbados is an island nation in the Caribbean Sea and is a member of the Commonwealth, gaining independence from British rule in 1966. It is a member of a group of about 60 Small Island Developing States (SIDS), recognised as an important group by the UN. This group makes up less than 1% of the world’s population but is suffering the greatest challenges from the climate crisis. Barbados was chosen as the 2014 host to bring the voice of this highly threatened but important group. It was important for this marginalised voice to be amplified leading up to the Paris summit the following year.
In 2014, adoption of solar photovoltaics was still in relative infancy and Barbados was one of the early leaders setting targets for widespread adoption of solar energy, a deciding factor in UN chosing them as hosts.
Their biggest earning sectors – tourism and sugar – were both considered highly vunerable to climate change, with rising seas levels and extreme weather their biggest threats.
A Brief Look at Bridgetown in Barabados
Bridgetown is the administrative, economic and transport centre of the country, housing most government departments.
The Deep Water Harbour is the point of entry for all cargo and cruise ships. After dredging in 2002 it is capable of taking the largest “super-cruise” ships. These are a mixed blessing as they bring in valuable revenue. However, the density of visitors in certain areas of the island can make life difficult for locals.
More than 10% of the population are employed in the tourism industry catering for cruise visitors and tourists staying on the island. Agricultures, fishing and forestry are also important industries. The rhythm of life on islands like Barbados is increasingly dominated by the arrival and departure of these cruise ships.
licensed under CC BY-BC-SA 2.0
Ideas for Further Study
Read more about their contribution to World Environment Day in 2014 as highlighted by the UN Environment Programme, and directly in the words from their own Prime Minister.
- Why is this theme important to the host city/country?
- Why is the theme important in averting the climate crisis and supporting environmental sustainability?
- How did they raise awareness of its importance?
- What actions arose from this? Is the world in a better place because of it?
- What more might they have done with today’s knowledge?
