The present of the Caribbean is the legacy of the violence of the colonial and imperial past. But its future does not have to be defined by the same forces and oppression. In order to achieve this goal, meaningful reparations, restoration and decolonization are three essential concepts that must be upheld to address historical and ongoing injustices faced by Caribbean communities. For example, in Haiti, social and popular movements mobilize to demand that the French state return the 150 million gold francs imposed on the country by King Charles X, in recognition of the independence conquered after more than three centuries of slavery. These steps require returning enclosed land to local peoples in a just way, guaranteeing self-determination as a central pillar of future autonomy and dignity, creating democratic and transparent processes of reflection and action around meaningful reparation and restoration for the scars of colonialism, ethnic cleansing and slavery, and removing colonial legacies from governance structures. It’s a direct call for reparations for historical atrocities and climate-related damages, including debt forgiveness and compensation for losses. Restorative justice measures are needed to repair degraded environments, protect land rights, and secure funding for climate adaptation from the Global North. Long-term sustainable development, ecological resilience, and the elimination of colonial mentalities are key to creating a just and equitable future for the Caribbean.
Advocate for the return of land to local communities as a basic human right, promoting self-determination and breaking free from colonial legacies. This includes rewriting constitutions to remove colonial structures, such as the monarchy in Jamaica.
Demand reparations for historical atrocities and climate-related debt, including the return of Haiti’s gold reserve valued at US $ 500,000.00 taken away by American soldiers and the ransom taken by France. Push for total debt forgiveness, particularly for Haiti and other countries that are kept in a condition of indebtedness and financial subordination.
Implement restorative justice measures to repair degraded environments and protect land rights, including restrictive covenants to prevent land exhaustion and ensuring access to beaches and rivers.
Work collectively as a region to obtain adequate reparation for climate loss and damages from the Global North for their climate irresponsibility, in order to finance climate adaptation in the Caribbean that is based on the principles of social and environmental justice, and self-determination. Nationally, promote social and financial responsibility through environmental taxes and participatory budgeting.
Identify and mitigate long-term threats to sustainable development, promoting ecological resilience and eliminating colonial mentalities. Establish a loss and damage fund for comprehensive recovery and promote equitable and just mechanisms for vulnerable groups.
Showcasing stories of Caribbean organizations at the foreground of the struggle against disaster capitalism in the Caribbean. Our network of participants in the Greater Caribbean region connect, learn, share their hands on responses to the impacts of the twin threats of the climate crisis and disaster capitalism in our region.
Bernard Lodge Farmers Group
WAVE (Progressive Reform Movement)
Tèt Kole
Global Challenges Research Fund
Open Society Foundations
All Rights Reserved – strongercaribbeantogether.org 2022
All Rights Reserved – strongercaribbeantogether.org 2022
In the tumultuous aftermath of disasters, it is easy to feel isolated and alone, but you are not.
We, a network of Caribbean-wide community organizers who stand in solidarity with those affected the twin threats of the climate crises and disaster capitalism, a phenomenon that exacerbates the suffering of vulnerable communities.
We want you to know that your stories matter. We are here to listen, to support, and to amplify your voices.
We believe that together, we can challenge the forces of disaster capitalism and advocate for more sustainable, inclusive and equitable decision-making.
Join us in solidarity. Share your experiences and let’s build strong communities that thrive together.
As the wider world braces for the climate change, Caribbean communities are already struggling with its effects. Small local communities, small scale farmers and coastal communities are disproportionately affected. Political decisions, power dynamics and laws often compound the catastrophes and silence bottom up solutions.
There are ways in which you can help.