KINGSTON, Jamaica —Climate change and disaster risk expert Sheldon Grant has challenged communities to adopt a six-step process to achieve climate resilience, as the need to move beyond discussing environmental threats to implementing actions becomes urgent.

According to a release from JN Circle, Grant, an adaptation officer at the Ministry of Water, Environment and Climate Change, demonstrated to members of the group how adapting a process of preparing, protecting, organising, planning, securing resources and implementing can lead to strengthened communities, which are becoming increasingly vulnerable to climatic activities.

He said the approach can help residents identify their most urgent risks, agree on workable solutions, assign responsibility, obtain support and carry projects through to completion.

“Climate change, it doesn’t matter what the hazard is. It will affect all of us,” he emphasised, underscoring the need for individuals and communities to recognise their vulnerabilities and take action to reduce the impact.

Grant encouraged communities to take the lead in identifying and validating local hazards, highlighting this as a best practice and a key step in vulnerability and risk assessments. Drawing on residents’ firsthand knowledge helps clarify who and what is most at risk and guides the design of projects that address the vulnerabilities and risks communities identify.

The framework he underscored, empowers communities to create solutions for their own circumstances. In an area affected by flooding, for example, he said residents could document where water is collecting and investigate what infrastructural faults could be at play, such as blocked drains, development in natural water channels or extensive paving that may be contributing to the problem. The findings can inform the corrective measures needed, which could include drain maintenance, implementing mesh barriers to capture garbage, permeable surfaces and public education.

Addressing the question of funding for community projects, Grant pointed to international opportunities that can be accessed by communities. These include the Climate Investment Funds, the Adaptation Fund and the Small Grants Fund. He cautioned, however, that to receive grant funds, communities need to be organised and demonstrate that they understand the problem they intend to solve. They also need to present a credible plan and budget and maintain sound financial records. Technical assistance is available through the Ministry of Water, Environment and Climate Change.

Grant said the need for local action is growing as Jamaica experiences higher temperatures, less predictable weather and more intense weather-related events which are reducing agricultural production, raising food prices and increasing pressure on households. Climatic events, such as intense rainfall, also overwhelm drainage systems and damage homes and infrastructure he said, and with many Jamaicans living within 10 kilometres of the coast, erosion, flooding and other hazards increasingly impact coastal communities.

Highlighting examples in the parish of St Elizabeth to make the point, Grant pointed to the effects of drought and water scarcity on farmers and coastal erosion in Alligator Pond and Treasure Beach, as well as flooding in Santa Cruz as reasons why communities need to plan for their risks.

Grant’s presentation was the second in a three-part JN Circle series designed to equip members with authenticated knowledge they can use to make an impact in their communities.