Aware that they are part of the last generation that could put an end to the climate crisis that is jeopardizing the future of humanity, young people are more mobilized than ever to defend climate justice for the benefit of the Caribbean population in the face of this climate chaos.

Climate change in the Caribbean is a reality that affects the daily lives of a population already vulnerable to natural hazards. Whether through economic growth, the degradation of marine and coastal ecosystems, tourism, etc., climate change is having a direct impact on the island territories of the Caribbean to such a level that we have no choice but to address this extraordinary challenge. Each year, the Caribbean islands receive, on average, a dozen storms, half of which are category 4 or 5 hurricanes, generating violent winds and causing annual losses equivalent to 1.6% of GDP. This economic damage exponentially increases the vulnerability of these territories compared to the rest of the world.

In its latest report, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) issued a serious warning to the world about what will happen if global warming exceeds the 1.5°C limit. The future would be even more uncertain for island populations, especially young people, if temperatures rise by 2 degrees Celsius by the end of the century. However, when it comes to greenhouse gas emissions, Caribbean territories are insignificant emitters, yet the most impacted due to their vulnerabilities.

Faced with this climate chaos that is shaping the future of current and future generations, we must act now. But how can we do this without the involvement not only of political powers but also of an informed civil society committed to this fight? In times of crisis, information is the first tool to be highlighted. In other words, creating a critical mass on climate change is essential if we want to plug this chaos and bring about climate justice for these victims of the excesses of Western powers. This is why the involvement of young people is undoubtedly the crossroads through which we must pass if we want to reach the path of struggle and collective well-being. An informed and involved youth already symbolizes half of what remains to be done.

In Guadeloupe, Martinique, and especially Haiti, with their relatively young populations, the youth population is not in charge, but it is getting involved. Even if financial resources are still insufficient, the list would be very exhaustive if we counted all the initiatives of young businesses in the Caribbean territories in the fight for the resilience of local populations and climate justice. But there is still much to be done, particularly in terms of developing and implementing appropriate public policies to adapt the most vulnerable territories to future impacts and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as required by the United Nations Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). In French : Convention des Nations-unies sur les changements climatiques (CNUCC)

Indeed, the climate chaos currently threatening our territories is not inevitable. On the contrary, it could be considered the trigger for genuine civic engagement for the benefit of the most vulnerable populations and, above all, for the protection of the animal and plant species that constitute the potential wealth of our islands.