Minister in Economic Affairs, Senator Chad Blackman, is encouraging creatives to use music as another medium to push messaging about the climate crisis.
Mr. Blackman threw out the challenge recently at the Barbados Coalition of Service Industries’ 2nd Sectoral Consultation on the Development of the Business Aspects of the Orange Economy of Barbados for Key Stakeholders.
The forum was held at the Sagicor Cave Hill School of Business and Management, The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus.
Speaking on the topic Developing the Business of the Orange Economy in Barbados, the Minister pointed out that the effects of climate change can impact a country’s economic gains in a short period of time.
“I want to use this opportunity to ask our creators in Barbados to use your platforms, your creativity, your ideas, your ingenuity, your energy, to create a narrative of change around the world, through music, through television, through social media, but I’m talking about in some modern, innovative Bajan ways that will capture the global audience….
“It is one thing for the political class to speak at the international level. It will make an impact, because you know it makes traction; you get interviews on the TV around the world, etcetera. It feeds into the international, multilateral system. But real change around the world happens when people on the ground create a movement, and who better to do it than those involved in the cultural economy,” Senator Blackman stressed.
The Minister maintained that vulnerable countries were on the front line of the climate crisis and must ensure that they can “carve out a space for our future generations”.
Senator Blackman acknowledged the advocacy on the world stage about climate change and its effects on vulnerable countries by Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley and expressed regret that the countries that were responsible did not change their habits.
“I want to challenge you to tell the story, a Barbadian story, on where we need to move from, with respect to where we are in the world and where we need to go to, with Barbados being at the forefront of that advocacy,” Senator Blackman said.