KINGSTON, Jamaica — Mr World Jamaica finalist Raymond Morrison is advocating for the protection of the planet through addressing the pressing issues of environmental conservation and climate change with his Environmental Conservation and Humanity’s Obligation initiative, or as he calls it, ECHO.

ECHO’s mission is to include, inspire, and empower communities to take action against climate change, promote sustainable practices, and preserve the natural world for future generations.

Morrison shared that he started the initiative due to his love for nature which led him to become an environmental activist.

“I realised that our island’s natural beauty is not just a treasure, but a responsibility. This is why I started the ECHO initiative,” Morrison said.

ECHO is guided by five core values: compassion, urgency, inclusion, integrity, and hope.

“We care deeply about the well-being of people, animals, and the planet. Our commitment to transparency, honesty, and accountability underscores our work, and we remain optimistic and dedicated to creating a better world,” the Mr World Jamaica finalist shared.

Noting that Jamaica and the Caribbean are at the forefront of climate change, Morrison pointed to Hurricane Beryl’s impact on southern Jamaica as a stark reminder of the country’s vulnerability.

He stressed that rising temperatures, sea-level rise, and extreme weather events demand our attention.

In one of ECHO’s recent projects, Morrison and his team tackled Morant Point in St Thomas, a remote area that is critically important to the country’s ecosystem and the environment at large.

“We identified a large amount of plastic waste, which can absorb and retain heat, potentially influencing ocean temperatures. Pollution and waste are key contributors to climate change, which can impact hurricanes,” he said.

As Mr World Jamaica, he aims to collaborate with global leaders to address environmental challenges and promote climate resilience.

Mr World Jamaica finalist Raymond Morrison and his team during a clean-up project under his ECHO initiative. (Photo contributed)

“ECHO is not just about clean-ups; it’s about creating solutions. To create an impact, we took it a step further during our coastal clean-up by upcycling materials found on our beaches, turning glass bottles into vases and creating art from trash. This is sustainability in action,” Morrison explained.

He continued, “The world is shifting towards sustainability – in fashion, education, and well-being. I’m passionate about being part of this movement. This platform would allow me to amplify ECHO’s message, inspire global action, and collaborate with leaders to mitigate climate change.”

Morrison hopes to be crowned Mr World Jamaica on September 1, 2024 to represent the country at the return of the Mr World competition this year.

Founded by the Miss World Organisation in 1996, the Mr World competition is known as one of the most distinguished and prestigious events of its kind globally. The current titleholder is Jack Heslewood, an aerospace engineer from England who was crowned on August 23, 2019.