Beyond Climate Change in the Caribbean

A new generation of youthful institutions that are inspiring and changing the climate of development across the Caribbean. Indeed, going beyond climate change in the Caribbean. Recent evidence based emerging from the Caribbean indicates that compared to previous generations, well over 75 percent of the youth and young professionals – aged between 18 and 29 years across small Caribbean states – consider connecting with, and protecting the environment as one of their core principles in life. This is a fundamental shift away from previous generations in the Caribbean that placed less emphasis on ecological values, and more emphasis on economic values of wealth and power. This new generation indicates that they are more likely to have innovative ideas for sustainability (67 percent), and are more likely to use renewable energy (66 percent), in addition to being more likely to protect and preserve the natural environment (48 percent).

Diverging from previous generations, these youthful innovators are actively exploring and creating opportunities for social entrepreneurship, eco-entrepreneurship, and the socio-technical innovation in ecological, environmental and energy services (20 percent). Looking towards the future, this new generation of youthful institutions indicates that environmental quality is essential for sustainable development (52 percent), and view this as a core responsibility of public institutions, including government (69 percent) and education (63 percent). Regarding industry and commerce, one third (30 percent) indicate that they will not do business with environmentally irresponsible companies.

http://caribjournal.com/2015/07/02/beyond-climate-change-in-the-caribbean/?utm_source=Caribbean+Journal&utm_campaign=c8ba7072e8-Caribbean+Journal&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_ea4e1e4090-c8ba7072e8-188976829