New Islands Environmental Initiative Launched
Islands are the bell-weathers of international environmental policy. The world will see their success, or failure, first. - James A. Michel, President, Seychelles

February 18, 2010 - PCI Media Impact announced the launch of its new Caribbean Initiative called My Island - My Community. The initiative is an ambitious new partnership program committed to building public awareness across the Eastern Caribbean to encourage wide spread behavior change with regard to small island community preparedness and adaptation to climate change. It brings together a unique network of organizations committed to using the power of communications to enhance knowledge sharing, engage the public and directly support CBA activities (Community Based Adaption) across the 9 countries of the Eastern Caribbean.

The Eastern Caribbean is at the front line of adapting to climate change. Small islands, especially those experiencing significant population growth, are especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change on ecosystems, economies, tourism and the communities that live there.

While global attention has been brought to bear on this issue, there remains a critical communications challenge. A key strategy to respond to climate change is to enhance the resilience of the ecosystem, as well as the communities that live within the ecosystem. This can only be accomplished with a well informed, committed and engaged public. However, a persistent challenge remains: how does one effectively engage the public, ensuring they have access to sound and timely information and a clear vision of what they can do to help?

My Island – My Community will use a multi-pronged communications approach to motivate social change. A regional radio drama will weave together relevant information on climate change with a compelling story. Coalitions comprised of national partners in each of the 9 countries will complement the radio drama through interactive call-in shows and Community Action Campaigns. A technical advisory committee will bring the best of science to the messaging. With action on the ground in 9 countries, regional sharing will allow for unique peer-to-peer learning opportunities.

My Island – My Community is a partnership of Media Impact, the Secretariat of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States(OECS) , The Nature Conservancy (TNC), GEF Small Grants Programme, implemented by UNDP (GEF SGP), Global Island Partnership (GLISPA), the Secretariat for the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD), BirdLife International, Durrell, SeaWeb and the St Lucia Folk Research Center. We are actively seeking further partners.

The power of story-telling has shaped cultures and captivated people around the globe for centuries. Powerful stories in song, drama and poetry affect our knowledge, attitudes and behaviors. Stories remind us of our identity, our responsibility to help others, and our need to protect the world we live in. << learn more about the program by clicking here >>