Media Home
UN Web TV
UN Audiovisual Library
UN PhotoIOM / CARIBBEAN CLIMATE CHANGE DISPLACEMENT
Download
There is no media available to download.
Share
STORY: IOM / CARIBBEAN CLIMATE CHANGE DISPLACEMENT
TRT: 03:12
SOURCE: IOM
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: PLEASE SEE SHOTLIST FOR DETAILS
RECENT - UNION ISLAND, SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES
1. Wide shot, 6 hectares of lost mangrove shoreline
2. Various shots, extensive destruction of largest mangrove ecosystem in grenadines
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Kristy Shortte, Programme Manager, Sustainable Grenadines Inc.:
“Climate change is happening, the effects of climate change is real. I would say that what we need to do is have better structures in place in terms of our building cause, in terms of how we prepare during a storm. We need to have a plan in terms of how we go about doing these things because we know that climate change is happening, and we could only be prepared for such events that are happening as a result of climate change."
4. Various shots, IOM staff and Kristy, Sustainable Grenadines Inc. destroyed office, Marine Park, destroyed boats, road to Union Island
RECENT - CHANTIMELLE, GRENADA
5. Various shots, devastation of Marcus’ crops, IOM staff, aerial of devastated crops
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Marcus Alexander, organic farmer:
“Climate change is always in the back of my mind because as I live, I see stronger hurricanes coming. I see worse weather conditions happening. We have higher temperatures, stronger hurricanes, heavier downpours of rain and even if we have the heavy downpour, we still have extended dry periods.”
7. Various shots, banana crops destroyed, destroyed cocoa pods scattered on ground, Marcus holding devastated cacao pod
RECENT – Manchester, Jamaica
8. Various shots, Sheila’s devastated crops, IOM staff, Sheila taking out destroyed sweet peppers
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Sheila Barnes, small farmer:
“We have to look at climate change and take it seriously. If we don’t take climate change seriously, we will have no future for the next generation to come.”
10. Various shots, Sheila and IOM staff visiting destroyed house, destroyed furniture
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Hurricane Beryl, the earliest recorded Category Five hurricane in history in the Atlantic, wrought havoc across the Caribbean in 2024, leaving thousands displaced and entire communities in despair.
As the sun clips below the horizon over the Caribbean, the mangrove ecosystems that once flourished along Union Island shores serve as stark reminders of an alarming reality: the devastating effects of climate hazards.
Union Island, home to the largest mangrove ecosystem in the Grenadines, was particularly hard hit, with reports showing that 90 percent of these vital coastal forests were damaged.
Kristy Shortte has dedicated years to restoring this critical habitat through the organization Sustainable Grenadines Inc.
Mangroves provide sanctuary for marine life and act as a natural barrier against storms and coastal erosion.
“Climate change is happening. The effects are real. We need to act urgently and put in place better structures for building codes and storm preparedness,” Kristy emphasizes.
The loss of mangroves along six hectares of shoreline is more than just an environmental catastrophe. It threatens the delicate balance of biodiversity.
These coastal forests are home to over 25 species of migratory and resident birds as well as rare green turtles, making their destruction even more worrying.
The rapid intensification of Hurricane Beryl from a tropical depression to a major hurricane with winds exceeding 160 mph in just 42 hours underscores the critical role of warmer ocean temperatures in fueling extreme weather events tied to climate change.
The aftermath of Beryl has left communities reeling.
In northern Grenada, Marcus Alexander, a small organic farmer, faces an uphill recovery after the destruction of his banana, coconut and nutmeg crops.
“Climate change is always in the back of my mind because as I live, I see stronger hurricanes coming. I see worse weather conditions happening. We have higher temperatures, stronger hurricanes, heavier downpours of rain,” he laments while clearing his land with a machete.
His three children are acutely aware of climate change’s impacts, prompting Alexander to educate them on its realities and advocate for global emissions reductions.
In Jamaica, also heavily impacted by the storm, Sheila Barnes shares a similar plight.
Having lost half an acre of sweet peppers and her 50 chickens, she leads a group of 60 farmers challenged by the unpredictability of the weather.
“We have to look at climate change and take it seriously. If we don’t take climate change seriously, we will have no future for the next generation to come.”
This call-to-action echoes across the Caribbean, where many are experiencing first-hand the devastating effects of climate change.
The connection between climate change and displacement is becoming increasingly evident.
Caribbean countries are particularly vulnerable, with around 70 percent of their population living in coastal areas.
Rising sea levels and intensified storms pose significant threats to livelihoods and infrastructure.
Despite contributing less than one per cent to global greenhouse gas emissions, Caribbean communities bear the brunt of climate disruptions, leading to increased displacement as people seek safer ground.
Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and severe, threatening livelihoods and infrastructure, and exacerbating financial hardship across the region.
Only in the past decade, Caribbean countries have suffered multiple shocks with losses amounting to billions of dollars including displacement of entire communities, destruction of critical infrastructure, and negative impacts on biodiversity and livelihoods, due to the impacts of Tropical Storm Erika (2015), Hurricane Matthew (2016), Hurricanes Irma and Maria (2017), Hurricane Dorian (2019), and La Soufriere Volcanic eruption (2021), to name a few.
Hurricane Beryl is a harbinger of what lies ahead if decisive action is not taken against climate change.
As communities rebuild from this disaster, they stand united in their call for international aid and commitment to sustainable practices.
The Caribbean's fight against climate change is not just about survival. It is also about resilience and hope for future generations.
