As the world marks Earth Day on April 22, under the theme “Our Power, Our Planet’, the Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) is urging the Government of Jamaica to reconsider its approach to oil and gas exploration. We are concerned that continued interest in fossil fuel investments undermines the power this theme calls us to exercise – the responsibility to protect our planet and to build better lives for our people in line with Jamaica’s climate realities and global obligations.

Recent updates from United Oil and Gas regarding offshore exploration have been met with much government and public optimism. We, however, caution that this growing excitement overlooks the well-established link between fossil fuel use and climate change, and the very real impacts already being experienced in Jamaica.

“Hurricane Melissa alone caused billions in damage and disrupted lives across the island,” said Dr. Theresa Rodriguez-Moodie, CEO of JET. “It is deeply concerning that, even as Jamaicans are living through the impacts of a warming climate, there is a suggestion that finding oil could somehow give the country a ‘break.’ Expanding fossil fuels will only deepen the crisis we are already facing.”

Jamaica has faced a series of climate-related challenges in recent months, including extreme rainfall, flooding, and warnings of both drought and El Niño conditions. These events are consistent with global scientific findings linking fossil fuel emissions to more intense and unpredictable weather patterns.

We also highlight growing international legal developments. In the past two years, leading judicial bodies, including the International Court of Justice, have affirmed that countries have a legal duty to prevent climate harm, including regulating the activities of private companies engaged in fossil fuel development.

“These developments make it clear that climate action is no longer optional, it is a legal and human rights obligation,” Dr. Rodriguez-Moodie said. “Decisions about fossil fuels now carry serious legal, economic, and reputational risks for countries like Jamaica.”

We further raise concerns about the specific location of proposed exploration activities. The Walton-Morant block, off Jamaica’s southern coast, lies near ecologically sensitive areas such as the Pedro Bank and the Pedro Cays, which support fisheries, biodiversity, and livelihoods. Oil exploration in this region could have significant environmental and economic consequences.

While acknowledging Jamaica’s need for economic growth and energy security, we caution that oil development may not deliver the expected benefits. Other countries with major oil discoveries, such as Guyana, have still faced energy challenges, highlighting that oil wealth does not automatically translate into energy security or broad-based prosperity.

As Jamaica marks Earth Day, we are calling for a shift toward renewable energy and sustainable solutions that align with the country’s climate vulnerability and long-term interests.

“We are at a crossroads,” Rodriguez-Moodie said. “Jamaica can continue down the path of fossil fuel expansion, adding to the climate crisis that is already costing us billions, or we can choose to invest in renewable energy and build a more resilient future.”