As the sun clips below the horizon over the Caribbean, the mangrove ecosystems that once flourished along Union Island shores serve as stark reminders of an alarming reality: the devastating effects of climate hazards.  Hurricane Beryl, the earliest recorded Category Five hurricane in history in the Atlantic, has wrought havoc across the region, leaving thousands displaced and entire communities in despair.

Union Island, home to the largest mangrove ecosystem in the Grenadines, has been particularly hard hit, with reports showing that 90 per cent of these vital coastal forests have been damaged. Kristy Shortte has dedicated years to restoring this critical habitat through the organization Sustainable Grenadines Inc. Mangroves provide sanctuary for marine life and act as a natural barrier against storms and coastal erosion.

“Climate change is happening. The effects are real. We need to act urgently and put in place better structures for building codes and storm preparedness,” Kristy emphasizes.