A Candid Conversation about Labor Justice in the context of the Climate Crisis

Written by: Victoria Sookoo, Serene Ramjohn, and Zaafia Alexander

Edited by: Princess Avianne Charles

Climate adaptation to protect vulnerable communities and spaces from climate risks remains paramount in light of an apparent climate emergency. This action has created a sense of urgency in the Caribbean, demanding leaders to take bold climate actions such as a just energy transition and the provision of loss and damage climate financing. As communities and organizations recognize all of the things that are loved throughout the region,  “Adapt Now to Save Lives” serves as the key message to raise awareness and take actionable steps toward change. Through this, the I Love the Caribbean campaign was created and serves as a call for action to our leaders to take the necessary, urgent adaptation measures to protect the things that we love: our lives, communities, cultural and historic spaces, food, events, and much more. Through this campaign, the Redefining Work team hosted a candid dialogue on June 15 that sought to address existing climate risks in occupational spaces, how to improve working conditions, and how to include climate risk-reduction strategies into policy suggestions. 

Held at Arc Co-Create Hub located in Trinidad and Tobago, this event concentrated on creating a casual atmosphere to have open discussions of the relationship between climate justice and worker safety, highlighting the importance of laws that guarantee a fair transition to a sustainable and just future. The focal point of this event was that of all that we love in the Caribbean, we also love the people - many of whom are workers at risk from climate change. For the workers whose lives and livelihoods are at stake against sea level rise, extreme heat, increased rainfall and flooding, vector-borne illnesses, and much more, they deserve to navigate safer working conditions. Through this understanding, the series emphasizes the need to safeguard the environment and the workers by bringing together campaigners, advocates, and specialists in the climate justice and human rights spaces.

Our Redefining Work Community Dialogue // Photo via Princess Charles

Existing Climate Risk Factors:  Identifying Those Most Affected 

The Caribbean is one of the world's regions most vulnerable to climate change, owing to the frequent and intense natural disasters it experiences. Beyond the significant impact on the physical environment, the populations of these islands are also profoundly affected. During the dialogue, it was emphasized that although the entire population is impacted by climate change, various demographics experience these effects in distinct ways. For one of the main focal points of the discussion, attendees shared the demographics that they have observed are most affected by climate risks, ranging from race, class status, gender, and much more. Their insights into who is at greater risk from existing threat multipliers show the depth and awareness that communities hold. Through this discussion, some of the key groups mentioned were immigrants, persons with disabilities, elderly populations, girls, women, children, and workers of lower class status. 

The barriers to resources, workplace exploitation, disenfranchisement, lack of safety education, and inaccessibility to safety accommodations were some of the key concerns identified by these groups. For immigrants, it was highlighted that they encounter significant barriers to accessing essential resources due to flooding and workplace exploitation, with authorities frequently denying them basic rights to safety and resources. Participants noted that persons with disabilities are highly at risk due to the absence of laws or procedures for crisis management, making it exceedingly difficult for them to find safe places during natural disasters. For elderly populations, it was stated that they are often overlooked, and face health risks such as strokes during heatwaves and droughts, compounded by insufficient access to clean water. Women and girls were also highlighted, as gender inequalities exacerbate the risks for gender-based violence amid a climate disaster, reduced mobility, and lack of access to relief and assistance. Other groups include children and their frequent exposure to heatwaves and dust storms at school. Despite the reality that all demographics endure significant hardships as a result of climate change, existing social, economic, and political tensions have led to increased vulnerability amongst marginalized groups. 

Barriers to Safety: Challenges in Integrating Climate Adaptation and Mitigation into Health and Safety Policies

Attendees sit listening attentively during our community event // Photo via Princess Charles

Despite the urgency needed to address the issues of climate change concerning how they affect the workplace, the implementation and integration of health and safety policies to safeguard the rights of workers face difficulty. Adaptation and mitigation strategies to cope with the effects of climate change are often reliant on technological solutions and many sectors are not adequately prepared to integrate these solutions. Even with the existence of the necessary technologies, many sectors lack the funding, infrastructure, and proper management to do so. Some solutions may not be feasible or still be in the process of development despite the urgent need as in order for implementation to be successful financial, logistical, and regulatory barriers must be overcome. 

For climate change adaptation and mitigation to be incorporated into health and safety policies societal acceptance and behavioral changes must be made. Public awareness about the impacts of climate change on the health and safety of workers is crucial and this can be done through educational programs, community involvement, and engagement campaigns on social media platforms. A behavioral shift is necessary as well as in order for solutions to work for the whole they must work at the individual level as well with practices such as energy conservation and sustainable practices. Businesses often analyze projects based on cost-benefit analysis and often prioritize profits over their long-term consequences. The immediate financial constraints that come with the implementation of health and safety practices that mitigate the effects of climate change often deter businesses and policymakers. Resources must be allocated strategically and resilience must be prioritized over short-term cost-cutting. For climate adaptation and mitigation strategies to be successfully incorporated a multifaceted approach is necessary. Critical aspects are technological readiness, financial commitment, effective management and governance, and societal engagement. The future of our planet lies in overcoming these barriers and collaboration across multiple sectors.

Moving Forward: Engaging Workers in Climate Solutions

This event aimed to explore ways to improve worker conditions amidst the climate crisis and integrate risk reduction measures into policy recommendations. Advocacy is pivotal in this process. Engaging directly with community members and attentively listening to their concerns proves far more effective than holding conferences. This event created a comfortable and safe environment where participants could freely express their views and opinions without fear of judgment or being disregarded. Genuine advocacy may not reap immediate rewards but it goes a long way with a lot of dedication and sacrifice. Along with meaningful advocacy, mentorship programs initiated with young individuals can advance broader societal objectives and cultivate a new generation of informed and proactive citizens. Beginning with young children, by integrating climate action into the curriculum through hands-on activities such as tree planting, maintaining school gardens, recycling, eco-clubs, and nature field trips can enhance skill development from an early age, thereby contributing to wider societal goals. 

Attendees look towards a speaker, taking in their contribution // Photo via Princess Charles

Taking action remained a focal suggestion for advancing change. It was emphasized that whilst community dialogue and engagement sessions are important in understanding the array of perspectives and experiences that exist, taking the actionable steps toward advancing change has been overdue. Whilst it is necessary for communities to collectively work to strengthen climate resilience initiatives at their level, greater focus is needed from governmental agencies and corporations to assess their decision-making, policies, and work practices and their impact on communities. The gap between community involvement and corporate responsibility keeps widening, where corporations and employers continue with work practices that increase carbon emissions, and the likelihood of climate disasters, and put vulnerable communities at greater risk. What’s demanded is that entities who significantly contribute to these impacts take accountability and evoke a systems shift that can alleviate existing effects. While numerous other actions can be taken by our community, these specific initiatives were particularly emphasized by the participants to move forward.

About our Authors

Zaafia Alexander:

Zaafia Alexander is a student enrolled at UWI-ROYTEC, pursuing an associate's degree. As a climate change activist, they understand the urgency of the climate change crisis and aim to spread more awareness to bring more climate change adaptation measures to Trinidad and Tobago and other Small Island Developing States (SIDS). They enjoy reading, drawing, and writing in their free time.

Serene Ramjohn:

Serene Ramjohn is a Trinidadian biologist with specializations in Marine Biology and Ecology. She came to be a part of the project as she has an interest in climate and eco-activism. In her free time, she enjoys reading, photography, spending time in nature, and volunteering.

Victoria Sookoo:

Victoria has recently completed her final year at the University of the West Indies, where she pursued a degree in International Relations with a focus on Tourism through her elective courses. Her academic journey reflects a deep interest in understanding global dynamics and the interconnectedness of culture, which is further enriched by her studies in Tourism. Beyond her academic pursuits, Victoria is deeply committed to volunteer work. She actively participates in the Caribbean Feminist Redefining Work Series, as she strongly believes in the power of advocacy and the importance of supporting good causes.

Victoria's passion for reading has been a lifelong companion, providing her with a getaway to diverse worlds and perspectives. This love for literature naturally evolved into a passion for writing and journalism. Victoria aims to inform, inspire, and engage her audience through her writing, bringing attention to important issues that resonate with others.