Ocho Rios, Jamaica. June 5th, 2012 - Ocho Rios, St Ann will this week be targeted for a host of activities including a free climate change concert and exposition, a private sector luncheon and a briefing for local councillors in observance of National Environment week.
The activities are a joint effort between the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), the Meteorological Office of Jamaica under their Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction Project, Panos Caribbean, the National Environmental Education Committee, Environmental Foundation of Jamaica and the Urban Development Company.
“Ocho Rios was chosen given its logistical appropriateness and its feature as a resort town, which allows for the targeting of a wider and more varied audience,” explained Natalie Fearon, NEPA’s Public Education Manager, while explaining that the decision was taken to host the event out of town given the growing need to decentralize the staging of environmental and planning events outside of Kingston and St Andrew in order to improve the direct targeting of audiences.
The main event during National Environmental Awareness Week 2012 (NEAW) will be an exposition and the concert staged on Tuesday, June 5.
The Expo will include exhibitors who support the work of the Agency. These include: National Solid Waste Management Authority, Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, Environmental Foundation of Jamaica, Discovery Bay Marine Laboratory, Jamaica Conservation and Development Trust, Land Agency, Institute of Jamaica, Jamaica National Heritage Trust among others.
Voices artistes for the concert
Artistes who have volunteered their services in the award winning Voices for Climate Change programme will also be performing in Ocho Rios, St. Ann. To be staged in Turtle River Park, Ocho Rios, the line-up of artistes include Lymie
Murray, Minori Russell, Cameal Davis, Aaron Silk, Lymie Murray, Vigorous John, One Third, Lovindeer, Pam Hall,
Amique, Pampi Judah , Minori , Colour Colour, Free, Big Pop, Nozzle Man, Cameal, Dennis Francis, K’alee , Prince, John Earle and Boom Dawn.
Voices for Climate Change Education is a pioneering project implemented by Panos Caribbean and the National Education Committee (NEEC), a national public education strategy.
‘We are always absolutely elated to partner with Voices for Climate change/NEEC. The artistes are volunteering, using their craft and time and talent to talk about important issues in the environment. The beauty of it is that we are using edutainment as a platform to speak to the wider community about a complex topic,” said Natalie Fearon.
“The artists have themselves become educated and they really are trailblazers, taking messages which are environmentally relevant to the audience. We are happy for their support. We are encouraging everyone to come to Turtle River. While they are educated they will be entertained.”
The artistes themselves express pride in involvement. Singer Cameal Davis, first female winner of the Digicel Rising Star talent search says, “It’s an avenue to showcase and use my talent to educate and entertain at the same time.
Jamaica is a musical country. People love music. Being an artiste, this is a good way to educate people about climate change.”
In addition to the main event, the agency will host a number of supporting events during NEAW including a thanksgiving church service on June 2, a briefing meeting with local councillors on June 5, a luncheon with private sector interests at the Sunset Jamaica Grand hotel on June 6, consultations with Members of Parliament and constituents on June 8 among other efforts.
“The overall goal of the activities is to raise awareness about the need for proper environmental planning to prepare for the impacts of climate change as well as to reduce the risks (where possible) where disasters are concerned especially,” said Indi Mclymont-Lafayette, regional director Community, Media and Environment at Panos Caribbean.
“The target groups include community persons, business interests, tourists, Community Based Organisations, NonGovernment Organisation’s and the wider public.”
“Voices aims to shed light on global climate change which is expected to result in a fundamental change caused by rising sea levels, including an escalation in the frequency and intensity of tropical storms and hurricanes and disruptions in rainfall and fresh-water supply.
“Climate change will also result in disruption of the ways in which some groups – farmers, fisher folk and resort workers included – earn their living as some key resources get scarcer.”
According to Lafayette, “a strategic part of the project is the use of popular artists to reach a large sector of society that would not otherwise relate or respond to traditional media. We are using the medium of music and drama to bring the message of climate change and the need for adaptation strategies to individuals at the grassroots of communities.”
Artiste Minor Russell said, “I, for one, I feel privileged. I feel as if am contributing. Not only that, but I get a sense of purpose. It is helping me to learn and grow as an individual. I can share what I am learning. I have always been involved in environmental issues from high school.”
Voices for Climate Change include dialogue with government decision-makers and key sectors which are particularly vulnerable to climate change. Lessons learnt from this project have been shared in St Lucia, Trinidad, the Bahamas, South Africa, Samoa and several other Caribbean countries as well as internationally. In 2010, the project was named a UN Best Communication Practice.
*************************
DISCLAIMER
This article was posted in its entirety as received by SKNVibes.com. This media house does not correct any spelling or grammatical error within press releases and commentaries. The views expressed therein are not necessarily those of SKNVibes.com, its sponsors or advertisers
Jamaica News