The University of the West Indies (UWI) and the regional NGO, Clara Lionel Foundation (CLF) are again collaborating in a two-year pilot project aimed at combatting sargassum in the Caribbean.

The University of the West Indies (UWI) and the regional NGO, Clara Lionel Foundation (CLF) are again collaborating in a two- year pilot project aimed at combatting sargassum in the Caribbean.

The project aims to pilot an Early Warning System (EWS) in strategic, high-risk areas in the Caribbean and sargassum monitoring.

The project aims to identify and create specific data-sets to support scientific research and develop new opportunities for climate solutions in the region. 

It will be community-centred and will engage multiple local agencies in Trinidad & Tobago to ensure sustainability, input of local knowledge, and positive community impact.

Commencing in the last quarter of 2024, the project will be led by Dr Gabrielle Thongs, from The UWI St Augustine Campus with administrative support from The UWI’s Office of Global Affairs. 

The UWI Pro Vice-Chancellor for Global Affairs, Sandrea Maynard has indicated that these types of projects are of significant importance, particularly in terms of impact for our communities.

She argues that research is critical, and as the leading international University on SDG-13, “we need to move the needle toward translating the research into sustainable and replicable solutions that can create new business opportunities for the region.”

Hands-on experience for students

A major projected advantage of the project is the creation of leaders and experts to guide the Caribbean into the future.

For example, Geography students from The UWI St Augustine Campus will gain hands-on experience in the research and implementation of the EWS and monitoring devices, as well as access the standard operating procedures used by local disaster agencies. 

Students will use this information in real time to allocate resources to attend to emerging threats to local communities.

Krystle Francis, CLF’s director of programs (Caribbean) said: “CLF is thrilled to support this innovative, holistic solution to building more resilient communities.” The two organizations have collaborated before, beginning in 2021 with a pilot project to develop a Caribbean Climate Knowledge Portal to map and identify all SDG and resilience projects across the region. 

This not only encompassed scientific research but also created a unique practical opportunity for solutions to be designed in the region, by the Caribbean’s own experts.  

The UWI and CLF will continue to bolster impactful projects and practical solutions that will have a long-term positive impact across many sectors in the Caribbean.

CLF was founded in 2012 by Barbados’ national hero and contemporary singer, Robyn “Rihanna” Fenty in honor of her Bajan grandparents, Clara and Lionel Braithwaite. CLF invests in climate justice initiatives in the Caribbean & United States and helps communities prepare for and withstand natural disasters.