11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: Climate Action for Caribbean and Global Resilience with President Bill Clinton

2:00 – 3:00 p.m.: Renewable, Resilient Energy: Innovative Models for Deploying to Scale

As the Caribbean looks toward long-term green recovery strategies following the COVID-19 pandemic, a coordinated effort to advance renewable energy is one of the most compelling pathways to support job creation, economic diversification, and climate resilience. The cost of solar and onshore wind has dropped 82% and 40% respectively since 2010, and as a result, renewable energy prices fall below the current cost of fossil fuel generation in most CARICOM states. In this time of economic stress, renewable energy can provide much sought-after benefits, from green jobs to more affordable, resilient electricity. With large-scale impact-oriented infrastructure investments, a focus on accelerating distributed energy at community facilities, and thoughtful integration with community development efforts such as workforce training, leaders and partners can advance the transition and expand the momentum of sustainable investment. In this virtual session partners from across governments, utilities, philanthropy, and regional organizations will discuss collaborative efforts to overcome hurdles and build catalytic new frameworks and financing strategies to bridge the gap between capital and green investments.

2:00 – 3:30 p.m.: Mental Health: Responding to COVID-19 and Facing Future Crises in the Caribbean

Over the past year, drastic social and economic shifts have been necessary to curb COVID-19 infection rates — but emerging evidence suggests that these measures have had serious negative impacts on mental health. For years, communities across the Latin America and Caribbean region have faced the constant threat of natural disasters — including hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes — and the pandemic has exacerbated stress and anxiety across the past year. Across the region, isolation and disruptions to schooling have meant that young people have reported increased levels of anxiety and depression, according to a survey by UNICEF. However, the rich, diverse cultural heritage of the region, as well as strong community networks, provide tools with which to bolster mental health. Now is the time to leverage these assets to not only mitigate the impacts of the pandemic, but to also equip communities with the tools to face future crises. This virtual session will take stock of the mental health impacts of COVID-19 in the Caribbean, explore techniques to increase social connectedness and resilience, and provide participants with opportunities to network and explore new partnerships with other members of the Action Network.

4:00 – 5:00 p.m.: Caribbean Preparedness: Forecasts and Solutions for the 2021 Hurricane Season and Beyond

Forecasters predict the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season will be more active than usual, calling for nineteen named storms, eight hurricanes, and four major hurricanes. This comes in an already challenging year for the Caribbean, as the region faces multiple, simultaneous crises. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on the region’s health and tourism-driven economy, while the La Soufrière volcanic eruption and ongoing earthquakes in Puerto Rico underscore the need for preparedness for not only hurricanes but seismic activity as well. Despite these urgent challenges, the Caribbean region continues to lead the way in developing innovative, scalable, and effective solutions to mitigate these natural disasters while promoting long-term resilience in the face of climate change. During this session, participants will learn about the latest insights into the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season and hear from leading innovators who are developing cutting-edge solutions to foster greater regional preparedness and long-term resilience.