JEMS using integrated community approach in climate awareness project

The Jems Progressive Community Organisation is using an integrated community approach to tackling climate change issues and develop new vulnerability Risk Map of St Vincent and the Grenadines.

The Climate Risk Mapping Project, which is the first phase of the organisation’s initiative to combat climate change in the country, is being supported by the Wake Forest University and the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund’s (CEPF’s) small grant facility managed by the Caribbean Natural Resources Institute(CANARI).

The overall aim is ” to ensure that Vincentians maintain sustainable living” as the country continues to grapple with the effects of climate change.

One of the founders, and currently advisor of the JEMS Progressive Community Organisation, Dr Andrew Simmons told SEARCHLIGHT that the project is anticipated to impact 4,000 to 6,000 hectares of forest in the country.

President of the JEMS, Jayanna Neverson told SEARCHLIGHT that in the mapping exercise they focus mainly on climate change as well as related stressors that affect communities within SVG, such as poverty and gender violence.

The project’s core activity involved preparing climate risk maps using information and data from local communities to assess the effects of climate-related events and natural disasters.

To date, there are approximately 70 risk maps of the country, 32 of which were created through the Climate and Conservation Risk Mapping initiatives that reveal areas that are vulnerable to flooding, heatwave, droughts, hurricanes, storms, tsunamis and other climate stressors.

The organisation has also catered for the mental health of the managers of relief centers who are working alongside community members to alleviate the effects of climate change.
Residents of the target communities took part in workshops that assessed how these stressors affect wildlife and endemic plant species.

This participatory exercise resulted in the creation of a 30-layer GIS map, capturing valuable information to guide conservation efforts and enhance the community’s understanding of their ecosystem’s vulnerabilities.

Vincentians can access these risk maps at the Physical Planning Department.

The Organisation has already worked alongside the communities of Chauteaubelair, the entire Vermont Valley, Spring Village, Cumberland, Mesopotamia, Park Hill and South Rivers as these communities are experiencing extreme climate conditions.

Neverson said that through the organisation’s initiatives, people have learnt about the impact of climate change on their crops, livelihood, mental illness and jobs.

She explained that they incorporate sports and games, and other cultural activities in promoting community awareness on the issue of climate change.

“So from these activities, you saw people bringing out their skills.”

Neverson said in Spring Village, there were people who made ducuna, pudding, callalloo soup and prepared tri tri. In Vermont, there were people who showcased their knitting and plants.

Students from several communities across the country were also supplied with notebooks, exercise books and other materials last August ahead of their return to the classroom.

Videographer and photographer of the organisation’s activities, Lucy Poyer and other community members from across the country were notably impressed by the cultural and sporting activities.

She said that the Organisation’s initiatives drew people together in communities like Langley Park.

“You see children and adults interacting with each other…even in Park Hill…you see that interaction between children, adults, teenagers; and you get the sense of, this is what is lacking in St Vincent….”

Chair of the National Climate Resilience Network, Denise Stephens told SEARCHLIGHT that the organisation is promoting sustainable living through educating Vincentians on how to implement organic farming, harvesting water, recycling, coral reef restoration and beach clean-ups into their everyday lives.

There are also persons who are receiving training with the Red Cross, and efforts are underway to organise training with the Youlou Radio Movement to become certified HAM radio users. Stephens said that a number of participants are now engaging as tour guides as a result of training under the project.

“We are tackling just about every area possible because we want that at the end of the day, that the livelihoods of our people be sustained.”

She said that people can form groups and gain access to grants through JEMS/CANARI.

“Funding is available to everybody, but you need to come together as a collection…because the smaller the groups the less money you get, but if you have one big collaboration, you’ll get much more,” Stephens outlined.

She is advising interested parties to submit business plans and project proposals in relation to climate change in order to qualify for these grants.

This year, the organisation will be undertaking a range of engagements. These include community clean-up campaigns to educate communities on how to properly dispose of waste; assisting in the establishment of community gardening projects to promote local food security; hosting of small business workshops towards alleviating poverty in several communities and educate entrepreneurs on growing their businesses; rainwater harvesting project to educate households on rainwater conservation techniques; and job skills training programmes to develop skills in such areas as sewing and carpentry.

There will also be community football and netball competitions, as well as workshops on waste management, composting, and climate change awareness.