Dr. Theresa Rodriguez-Moodie, CEO Jamaica Environment Trust
KINGSTON, Jamaica – 43 civil society organizations and individuals across Jamaica have issued a joint statement calling for urgent climate justice action following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa.
The Category 5 storm made landfall on Jamaica’s southwest coast last Tuesday, killing 32 people so far and causing widespread destruction in western Jamaica before affecting parts of Cuba, Haiti and the Dominican Republic. With winds exceeding 185 miles per hour and record rainfall, the hurricane has been described as one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the island.
In a statement, the groups said the disaster highlights the deep inequalities of the global climate crisis.
“Hurricane Melissa was not a natural disaster – it was a profound manifestation of climate injustice,” the statement said.
“Its unprecedented strength and rapid intensification was a direct result of global warming caused by fossil fuel addiction, corporate greed and decades of political inaction. Our communities, least responsible for this climate crisis, are now paying the highest price.”
The signatories, including representatives from the Jamaica Environment Trust, Jamaicans for Justice, Jamaica Climate Change Youth Council, National Integrity Action and BirdLife Jamaica, called on both the Jamaican government and international leaders to take bold action ahead of the COP30 climate summit in Belem, Brazil, scheduled for 6-21
They called on the Jamaican government to sign the Fossil Fuel Ban Treaty, demand stronger commitments to the 1.5°C target, ensure damage and disaster funding that quickly reaches affected communities, and prioritize community-led reconstruction efforts.
Developed countries were urged to phase out fossil fuel expansion, provide transparent and fair climate finance and “pay off their climate debt”.
The coalition emphasized that reconstruction efforts must go beyond recovery and reimagine a sustainable and just future.
“As we rebuild, we must not return to broken systems,” the groups said.
Among the signatories were environmental advocates such as Theresa Rodriguez-Moodie, CEO of the Jamaica Environment Trust; human rights activists such as Mickel Jackson of Jamaicans for Justice; and researchers including Dr Patricia Northover from UWI Mona.