Education reform, youth integration key to tackling climate crisis

Authorities in Barbados and other Caribbean states need to give more youth a seat at the table of decision-making and rely more on local talent when addressing issues such as climate change.

This call has come from climate change specialist Dr Masaō Ashtine, who insisted the region could also benefit from a reform of the education system if leaders were serious about tackling the climate crisis.

“I think there is a large disparity especially in climate change [and] renewable energy education. Having been a lecturer at Mona (University of the West Indies) in Jamaica, I have seen first-hand that the opportunity does not exist in many capacities, and it is not any one person’s or organisation’s fault, it is a collection, a legacy of things,” said Ashtine.

“I think there needs to be more opportunity at a very early stage in integrating the youth into policy decisions and policy-making. We can’t just say that because the youth aren’t fully educated or degreed in certain things means that they can’t be at the boardroom table . . . I mean, this is their future and we are making a lot of decisions on their behalf. At least ask them the question,” he insisted.

Ashtine, who is the Co-Founder and Managing Director for the Journal of Caribbean Environmental Sciences and Renewable Energy (CESaRE), said he believed capacity building “at a very young age”, inclusion and internship opportunities could help spur innovation.

“On the other hand, the education system needs a massive make-over in terms of preparing our youth for a different world,” he said, adding that while there was more inclusion of environmental science studies in recent years, it still did not prepare the region for the world that is coming.

“This needs more of a ground-up approach in revamping our curriculum to make sure that it is one for the world coming ahead,” he added.

Ashtine’s comments came as he responded to a question during the official opening of the Virtual Island Summit 2022, which is being hosted by Island Innovation, a social and full-service agency that brings together private sector, government, utilities and non-governmental organisations and universities to advance innovation for sustainability.

He also condemned the practice of the region looking outside for experts instead of using local knowledge and skills in certain areas.

“One of the biggest issues is that we [do not] celebrate the brilliant minds we have in the Caribbean . . . I found that sort of deplorable that we are not taking pride in our own minds. I am not saying ignore away; work with away and recognise at home,” he said.

During a pre-recorded message, Prime Minister Mia Mottley told the opening of the summit that a unified approach among governments and the private sector was critical to address the myriad of challenges facing developing states.

“The truth is that the government cannot do it alone. We recognise the private sector has a critical role to play in helping us to find and achieve these solutions, and it is for that reason that we have fast-tracked policies that will encourage social enterprises that can solve local problems and then be scaled to the regional and international level,” said Mottley. She pointed to several steps being taken by Barbados in the area of renewable energy and marine protection and management.

“The climate crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic or indeed the slow motion and silent pandemic that is antimicrobial resistance, the effects of the war in Ukraine, the disruption of the supply chain, these are not just issues for Governments, these are issues for all of us, for everyone,” she insisted.

“Let us treat the solutions likewise . . . I believe that all of us are ready to work hand-in-hand with each other to find collective solutions to those things we all confront as island nations. I truly believe that this conference can be one of the catalysts for making the change we so often speak about [become] a reality,” said Mottley. (MM)