Canvas of Change: Jamaican Creatives Drive Climate Action and Awareness
By Jamila Falak
The earth will serve us justice,
Will outlive you and me,
With every storm that pours there’s justice,
The sea washes the street…
– Sevana, “Justice”
When Sevana sings those haunting lines, she’s not just speaking to our hearts; she’s giving voice to a planet in peril. The premature storms before the season, the rising seas, the scorching temperatures, these are the Earth’s subtle and not-so-subtle ways of telling us that the time to act is now. And in Jamaica, where the call for climate action is as urgent as the Caribbean sun, a vibrant collective of creatives, artists, musicians, activists, and more, are picking up their brushes, their beats, and their collective will to rise, and they’re painting a new future.
Through artivism (art as activism), Jamaica’s creative forces are not just talking about the climate crisis; they’re actively challenging it, using every medium available to inspire change, mobilize communities, and spread awareness. These changemakers are stepping into the frontline, armed with art, rhythm, and passion. It’s a movement that’s as diverse as the island itself, and it’s here to make some serious noise.
Keep Jamaica Clean Series: Creatives Power Environmentalism
In September 2021, two like-minded creatives decided to turn the tide on the growing waste problem and rally people to fight for a cleaner, more sustainable Jamaica. Enter Paige Garnett, the mastermind behind Zanèsia – Ceramics, Crafts, and Candles, and yours truly, Jamila Falak (yes, that’s me!), a multi-hyphenate musician, creative entrepreneur and Regional Youth Leader at the Caribbean Philanthropic Alliance. Together, we founded the Keep Jamaica Clean Series (KJCS), a movement that’s more than just about picking up trash, it’s about celebrating community resilience, creative collaboration, and collective action.
Our slogan? “It Tek You and Me Fi Keep We Island Clean, Zeen!” It’s a call to arms, an invitation for everyone, from artists to everyday citizens, to come together and restore the beauty of our island home. Each year, KJCS hosts four innovative cleanup events: Community Edition, Forest Edition, Beach Edition, and River Edition. These are not your average cleanups; they’re interactive, vibrant, and full of soul. Picture this: murals being painted, tree planting workshops and activities, upcycling sessions, music and dance performances, and meaningful talks that connect environmental stewardship with mental health and wellness.
One standout moment in KJCS history? The participation of Jaz Elise, and producer J.L.L. whose song Fresh & Clean became the unofficial anthem for the series. We’ve even remixed it! The lyrics go:
“Fresh & Clean, Fresh & Clean,
Fresh & Clean, Fresh & Clean,
Anytime We Step Pon Di Scene,
We Keep Jamaica Clean,
Anytime We Step Pon Di Scene,
We Keep Jamaica Clean.”
Jaz Elise and J.L.L.’s participation was more than just about the music, it was a statement. A statement that the fight for a cleaner Jamaica is not just about cleaning up trash, but about cleaning up our hearts and minds too. Thanks to the support of partners like the Environmental Health Foundation, Lasco Chin Foundation, Caribbean Philanthropic Alliance and all sponsors, these events have blossomed into powerful expressions of unity, creativity, and environmental responsibility.
ESIROM Foundation: Lighting Up Earth Hour with Music and More
It’s not just the cleanup crews getting creative. Every year, partners of the Keep Jamaica Clean Series, ESIROM Foundation’s Earth Hour Concerts bring together top Jamaican artists to raise awareness about climate change through the universal language of music. The concerts are a testament to the power of culture to influence change. From Agent Sasco’s fiery lyrics to Queen Ifrica’s call for environmental justice, the concerts are more than just performances; they’re platforms for dialogue, action, and reflection.
In addition to my own involvement in 2023, Earth Hour has hosted a diverse roster of reggae royalty, from Sean Paul to Chronixx and Lila Iké, and with an average of 5,000 attendees and 300,000 online viewers, it’s clear that the message is resonating far and wide. The concert has become a cultural staple, but more importantly, it’s a space for ordinary Jamaicans to see the urgency of climate action reflected in the rhythms of their own culture.
But Earth Hour is just one piece of the puzzle. Every artist who picks up a mic or strums a guitar becomes a climate activist, using their platform to spread the message that it’s time to take action.
Of worthy note, in partnership with Reggae Sumfest in August 2024, launched the Jamaica Green Scholars Upcycling Art Competition with H&L Agro, Recycling Partners of Jamaica, and Esirom to raise sustainability awareness among youths.
Jamaica: Women using Photogragraphy on the Frontlines of Climate Change
One of the most exciting initiatives is Envisioning Resilience Jamaica, which in 2023 trained myself and 5 other young women under the tutelage of photographer Jik Rueben to use visual storytelling to showcase the impacts of climate change in their communities. Launched in 2023, this project empowers women on the frontlines of climate change by providing them with the tools to document their experiences and visions for resilience through photography and storytelling.
By developing our skills in visual media, the women involved in this initiative are not just telling their stories, they’re making sure those stories reach the ears of policymakers and decision-makers who can make a difference. Supported by organizations like Lensational and GirlsCARE JA, Envisioning Resilience is shifting the narrative around climate change and putting the spotlight on the voices of those who are most affected by it.
As these young women share their visions of resilience, they are also creating new economic opportunities for themselves by selling their photographs through Lensational’s online platform. The project offers both a creative outlet and a pathway to economic empowerment, proving that climate action and creative expression can go hand in hand. Visit Lensation.org to view the photostories.
But why, you might ask, are creatives so essential to the fight against climate change? Well, the answer is simple: Art changes minds. Whether it’s through a song, a photograph, or a mural, art has the power to reach people in ways that data and statistics never can. Art speaks to the heart. It inspires us to act, to care, to wake up.
And it’s not just about Jamaica. The Caribbean is a region that’s especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, and the time for creative action is now. We must come together, across islands, cultures, and communities, to fight for a sustainable future. In the words of Wake Up Jamaica, a song born from a collective desire for change:
“There comes a time in the life of a people when we have to make a change,
Greatness in this generation, light the torch no mental slaves,
Take a stand hand in hand, real emancipation,
If not we then who, if not now then when!
Wake up Jamaica, Wake up Jamaica,
Stand on the side of the truth.”
It’s time to wake up, Jamaica, and the Caribbean. The battle for our future is being fought right now, in the streets, in the forests, on the beaches, and in the hearts of every person willing to stand up for the environment. Whether you’re a musician, a painter, a dancer, or a community organizer, there’s a place for you in this fight and we have the power.
So, to all the creatives out there, let’s get to work. We’ve got a planet to save, and we’re not waiting for permission.
This story was published with the support of the Caribbean Climate Justice Journalism Fellowship, which is a joint venture of Climate Tracker and Open Society Foundations.
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