Informing policy in the Caribbean

Prof. Michael Taylor, University of the West Indies – Author for Special Report: Global Warming of 1.5oC, 2018, @UWImona 

“In the small island context, governments turn to the regional scientists to interpret the IPCC reports and what the significance is for them. My research team and I host two-day climate SMART workshops with technocrats from different small islands. The most recent one in The Bahamas included participants from The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Cayman Islands, Haiti, Jamaica and the Turks and Caicos Islands. The workshops cover the basics of climate science through to how the science may influence their decision making. 

A variety of engagement methods are used including presentation slides, interactive games and role play – they all help to contextualise the science so that participants can relate to it. We’ve found that using local science depicting historical change, future projections and impacts help participants to engage with the subject, and are also helpful for illustrating the key points from the IPCC reports in a meaningful way. Creating simple buzzwords and phrases such as “Climate and U: Unfamiliar, Unprecedented, Urgent” helps participants to understand and hold on to principles. 

It is always enlightening to hear sector workers’ challenges with using climate science and information, and even more rewarding to see, when through the guided exercises and the role play, they come to realise how it is relevant and useful for them. 

Photo credit: Jayaka Campbell

My top tip is to decide on the three points you want the audience to leave with before you start, and then use this to frame your entire presentation.”