Yvette Thomas

‘The Calm Before The Storm’

“Some people had to leave the island and relocate to the mainland, some people relocated abroad”

 

My project is based on Union Island and Grenadine in St Vincent and the Grenadines. I have made a video and small photographic exhibition about how Hurricane Beryl affected the island, looking at what happened and the impact it has had. My project is to highlight the devastation and the change in people’s livelihoods. Some people had to leave the island and relocate to the mainland, some people relocated abroad. Some people have argued that climate change didn’t cause the hurricane, it’s unexpectedly the warming of the temperature and sea levels but climate scientist Dr Daniel Gilford said, “Beryl is a striking illustration that this year’s hurricanes are growing in an environment clearly warmed by human-caused climate change.” It’s the effect of humans; you wouldn’t usually expect that type of storm at that point in the year, they usually develop later in the season after the sea has warmed up at the end of summer. This hurricane was a category 5 which hasn’t happened for at least 100 years. People hadn’t had to be relocated before and 90% of houses were destroyed. Families were separated, you would have to leave to travel back and repair your home. For the poorer community who don’t have resources from abroad, it is life changing.

Jacklin Miller

‘The tree of forgetfulness’

 “…you begin to see the injustices and it’s relating to the natural resources that have been stripped away…”

 

Things have been stripped from the land correlating with our lives being stripped and the impact that has on our well being and mental health. From a viewpoint of the economics, it’s disabling and it undermines. For those who are aware of history, you begin to see the injustices and it’s relating to the natural resources that have been stripped away from Africa, the Caribbean and the Americas to benefit the West. As a result of that, people’s livelihoods have been affected. The tree represents the root causes of climate change and the intergenerational trauma and impact that it has on people’s mental health.

Cherif Cheidou

‘A Journey of Resilience and Hope’

“there is hope ”

 

My project is about the climate crisis and awareness; letting people know there is hope and that collectively we can sort this out. It is my journey of resilience and hope.

Rosaline Lall

‘Guyana Changing Times’

“Now it’s a world price, before it used to be Guyana price, minerals from Guyana sold in Guyana at Guyana price, now they tell me its world price, it’s much more expensive, what’s the world price got to do with Guyana?”

Looking at the changes over the last 70 years, big changes. I’m 78 now, they changed rapidly over the last 20 years. Big changes, shock, every house had a garden and now people make this into a second house to airbnb. Back then we had no washing machines, we were cooking with wood, making fire, wood from the forest, from the Amazon, we had the best wood, we had plenty of wood, no stone buildings, all furniture made from wood, the big church made from wood, a huge natural resource of Guyana. 

We are seeing the change because of the climate. When it comes to fisheries, there’s not as much fish, it’s a struggle to catch fish over the back of the garden, you can’t do that now. Where’s the fish gone and why?  Guyana is a mining country now; gold and bauxite, lots of minerals, the country’s full of minerals and men are all going to work in the bauxite company. Now it’s a world price, before it used to be Guyana price, minerals from Guyana sold in Guyana at Guyana price, now they tell me it’s world price, it’s much more expensive, what’s world price got to do with Guyana?

Markets used to be street markets, from garden to market, you know who grows what, neighbours cooperate, some grow. Now we have supermarkets, things are coming in bags covered in pesticides, and the government is banning street vendors, saying it’s not doing anything for the country, not creating taxes! People with an abundance of coconuts would move from one place to another, we’d know where to get things from and where to find fresh vegetables, all weathers, all throughout the year. We have tropical weather, not too hot, not too cold. Animals have plenty to graze on and we move them from pasture to pasture. My grandmother had 13 cows, cows knew their way home. No one has cows now. Manatees are almost extinct, crocodiles are less, monkeys are less, before it was abundant. People aren’t stable anymore, people are moving to towns too, losing community. I used to know someone’s grandma, now there is a lot of migration to work in the oil field 

My exhibition piece is highlighting the destruction of Guyana with oil extraction. How Guyana is affected by climate change, and the different contributors to climate change, and the effects of climate change. It highlights all these changes that have a massive impact. We were always poor, now we’re becoming the fastest growing economy in the Caribbean and still people are poor, the profit doesn’t come to everyday people.

H Ali

‘The Pulse of Oneness’

“embracing diverse beliefs”

 

The Pulse of Oneness explores the interconnected nature of existence, weaving together scientific discovery and spiritual insights. It reflects an inclusive perspective that resonates with the global community, embracing diverse beliefs. The film begins with the Big Bang, symbolising the birth of everything from a singularity—a moment that serves as both a scientific foundation and a metaphysical gateway, bridging the material and the spiritual.

At its core, the film draws inspiration from وحدة الوجود (Wahdat al-Wujud), a concept articulated by Ibn Arabi—the influential Andalusian Sunni scholar, Sufi mystic, poet, and philosopher. This idea—that all of creation is a manifestation of a single, divine essence—speaks to the cosmic origins of the universe and the intimate connection among all living things.

Through animation, sound design, and a fusion of traditional and experimental visual styles, I explore the delicate balance between creation and destruction on our planet and within the universal flow of life. The film conveys the tension between our collective potential for harmony and the fractures caused by our actions. Yet, this is not a story of despair. As the film progresses, it moves toward healing—symbolized by a reaching hand, rising smoke, and a transformational dance that reminds us of our role as Vicegerents on Earth, sent by God to appreciate life and strive for peace.

A particularly compelling moment is the whirling dance sequence, which embodies both the courage that follows the devastation of war and the surrender to a divine, natural flow. Moving in harmony with the rhythms of the universe, the dancers honor life’s interwoven essence, inviting us to reflect on the restorative power of nature—a power rooted in selfless, nurturing love. The film concludes with the Ubuntu philosophy—”I am because you are”—a reminder of our shared humanity and collective responsibility.

Ultimately, The Pulse of Oneness offers a vision of hope. Through unity, empathy, and action, we can heal the rift between ourselves and the planet. I invite the viewer to reflect on the cosmic oneness that connects us all—from the smallest atom to the vastest galaxy—and to embrace our role in restoring balance to the world.

Nakita Vassell

‘Out Of Many, One People’

“It’s increasing the risk of generational poverty and long-term health issues.”

 

 

My project is about how bauxite mining is affecting the poor communities of Jamaica and the sacred land of the Maroon people.

The effects are ruining and destroying the land and affecting the crops and the livelihood of people – health wise and economically. It’s increasing the risk of generational poverty and long-term health issues.

Juanita Carthy

‘Sustainability Market’

“…create a sustainable lifestyle that isn’t out of reach”

 

My project incorporates different factors of the climate crisis; wastage, pollution and over-consumption. It’s about challenging people’s focus and trying to create a sustainable lifestyle that isn’t out of reach. For example you can have quicker showers or walk instead of taking the bus. Everything helps and it’s not asking too much from people.

Esther Seriki-Mars

‘Recycled Voices’

“The perspective of women spoken by women”

 

My project is about women who have been displaced or affected by climate change: flooding, deforestation and consumerism.

It’s highlighting women’s stories and voices: the perspective of women spoken by women. My project gives insight into how climate change crises affect women of colour and their families and communities. You need to be aware of things in order to change them.

Ayan Algader

‘The Impact of Climate Change on Food-borne Illnesses’

“Connecting the dots between climate change, environmental factors, and health”

 

This project explores the connection between climate change and the increasing prevalence of Campylobacter infections—a leading cause of foodborne illnesses worldwide. The podcast delves into the biology of Campylobacter, its transmission pathways, and how environmental factors like rising temperatures and poor sanitation amplify its spread. It highlights how climate change creates favorable conditions for the bacteria to thrive and the role flies play as disease vectors. The discussion concludes with actionable solutions, such as improving food safety practices, farm biosecurity, public education, and addressing climate change to mitigate its public health impact.

The podcast demonstrates how climate change indirectly exacerbates public health issues, like food borne illnesses, by creating optimal conditions for bacteria and their vectors to flourish. For example, rising temperatures and extreme weather events boost fly populations and bacterial survival rates, making outbreaks more frequent and severe. By connecting the dots between climate change, environmental factors, and health, the piece emphasises the need for urgent climate action to protect human health and prevent future crises.

Additionally, the podcast was delivered in Arabic to ensure accessibility for a wider audience and to engage Arabic-speaking communities. The format of the podcast allowed for clear communication of these complex ideas in an accessible and engaging way for listeners.

Tahamene Cuffy

‘Life In London, They Say’

 “…true wealth is leaving the earth to be in its natural state not in relentless resource extraction”

 

My project is about being colonised in a country and being sold false stories on how life is in the [developed] Western world when true paradise is in the [undeveloped] natural world they call ‘third world’.

It identifies the lies that we were told, that the West is best and the West knows what’s good for us (in the Caribbean) by ripping the people from their natural way of life. Big companies from the West come and rip our country apart, taking new found oil all the time. This mining for oil is destroying our land and the way of life of our people, years of culture, tradition, people’s family heritage land; they wake up one morning and they were asked to leave to build a bridge. These things we don’t want; people are in tears as our country and way of life gets ripped apart by the oil industry and fossil fuel industry

I’m also highlighting my own climate friendly practices and the unfriendly climate practices of London/ the West. It begins to infiltrate our daily lives back home now, where we’ve got Burger King and different food franchises from the western world and it’s not clean food.

They sell us the idea that we’ll get wealthy because of the oil, but it’s false and that’s what colonisation does. I believe true wealth is leaving the earth to be in its natural state not in relentless resource extraction.

Faisal Ali Gaber

‘The Last Leaf’

 “…a glimpse of a tree being cut down”

 

My project brings to life the story of how our everyday choices, like using toilet paper, contribute to deforestation and harm the planet. Through a powerful sculpture, it shows a glimpse of a tree being cut down and transformed into something we often take for granted. But it doesn’t stop there, it also offers hope by introducing bidets to use water as a simple, eco-friendly alternative. By making this switch, we can save trees, reduce waste, and take a small step toward protecting our environment.

Hasan Kattan

‘Al-Mankoush’

“Forced to scavenge for survival”

 

Al-Mankoush is a documentary that follows a group of children living and working in a landfill in Syria, where they have been trapped by war and displacement for over a decade. Forced to scavenge for survival, they face extreme dangers, including unexploded ordnance, disease, and exploitation. The film captures their resilience, dreams, and daily struggle to escape this harsh reality.

This project highlights the intersection of war, displacement, and environmental destruction. The landfill—once a site of executions—has become both a refuge and a trap for these children, exposing them to toxic waste and hazardous conditions. Their lives are shaped by the consequences of human conflict and environmental neglect, reflecting the broader global crisis where vulnerable communities bear the brunt of ecological and humanitarian disasters.

Hazel Ellis

‘Speaking for Myself’

“a mere drop in the ocean”

 

 

A group of poems which reflects my thoughts, feelings, observations and limited understanding of the  “Climate Change Phenomenon” and  ‘Humankind’s’ role in all of this.

How does it speak to the climate crisis? In the scheme of things, it’s miniscule –  a mere drop in the ocean – however as the words are simply put, perhaps others will be able to relate and be encouraged to act, in some way to try and avert the predictions to all our lives.

Claudia Phillips

‘Happy Climate, Sad Climate’

 “Under every cloud is a silver lining”

 

 

Barbados and the Caribbean Islands are vulnerable to climate change because of rising sea levels, increasing temperatures; more frequent severe hurricanes threaten our infrastructure, products and culture. It threatens our food security, lives and livelihoods.

Showing the impact on the environment in picture form and photo / video film. I was able to film the devastating impact of the Sargassum seaweed, hurricane and collect dead coral.

Amal Mohamed

‘Climate Sisters’

“ A life where we listen to the wind instead of notifications”

 

 

And so I dream of escape—of forests untouched by modern chaos, of simplicity untainted by screens and algorithms. I imagine a life sustained by nature’s abundance, where authenticity reigns.  A life where we listen to the wind instead of notifications, where we measure time by the sun’s arc instead of deadlines.

But even as I dream of retreat, I know we are not meant to walk alone. We are threads in a vast tapestry—each strand unique but essential to the whole. Togetherness is our compass, pointing us toward something greater than ourselves. Like stars forming constellations, we shine brighter when we are connected.

And spaces like this give me hope—

A flicker of light when the world feels dim.

Brenda Rutherford

‘The Divine Power’

“There is a greater power and humans have misused and abused the earth”

 

My piece is comparing the Caribbean and the USA, focusing on the fires in California. I had always seen California as a place of destruction since hearing about an earthquake that sucked up a whole city in the 1970s, but the recent fires were out of control and unexpected for the time of year; because of climate change and the wind and heat, it helped to spread the fire.

The West believe they are untouchable and in control of everything. There is a greater power and humans have misused and abused the earth so the destruction of fire and lack of rain are the result of disrespect of the earth. When disaster happens, in the Caribbean or the continent of Africa, homes are separate, the land is respected and cultivated and the community pulls together and shares whereas the Western diaspora community will rely on insurance. Wealth, fame and abundance has gone up in smoke, while in the Caribbean we cultivate and try to maintain the environment.

Shona Mcneil

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