Green Caribbean Chronicles

Over the past year, several people have asked me the same question: “How did you go from social work to environmental sustainability?” It’s a fair question. For seven plus years, I worked as a Child Protection Specialist in Brooklyn. Before that, I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Children and Youth Studies. Today, I hold a Master’s degree in Energy and Environmental Management and focus much of my writing and advocacy on climate resilience and sustainability in the Caribbean. To some, it may look like a career pivot. But to me, it is a continuation of the same mission. What Is Environmental Justice? Environmental justice is the principle that all people, regardless of race, income, or background, deserve equal protection from environmental harm and equal access to environmental benefits. It recognizes that low-income communities and marginalized populations are often disproportionately exposed to: Air pollution Poor housing conditions Limited green space Climate ris...

  By Z. Charles | Green Caribbean Chronicles There is a powerful ocean system moving quietly beneath the surface of global headlines — one that could significantly reshape weather patterns, food systems, sea levels, and climate stability worldwide. It is called the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) . And the Caribbean should be paying very close attention. What Is the AMOC? The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is a large system of ocean currents in the Atlantic Ocean that acts like a massive conveyor belt. It moves warm, salty surface water from the tropics northward toward Europe and returns cold, deep water southward. This circulation system plays a crucial role in: Regulating global temperatures Distributing heat across continents Influencing rainfall patterns Supporting marine ecosystems In simple terms, AMOC helps balance Earth’s climate. Why Scientists Are Concerned Research suggests that AMOC has been weakening ove...

  By Z. Charles | Green Caribbean Chronicles On January 17, 2026 , the world reached a major milestone in environmental governance: the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement,  commonly known as the High Seas Treaty,  officially entered into force. This landmark treaty represents the first legally binding global framework to protect and sustainably manage the ocean areas beyond national jurisdiction —the high seas—which make up nearly two-thirds of the planet’s oceans and cover about half of the Earth’s surface. For the first time in history, countries have joined forces to regulate activities on the open ocean; areas that previously lacked a unified legal regime. This is not just a win for marine life; it is a pivotal step toward healthier oceans, climate resilience, and equitable global cooperation. What the BBNJ Agreement Is The BBNJ Agreement, formally known as the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversit...