In the final episode of Defending Our Rights: Environmental Justice in Jamaica, Nicole Leotaud, Elected Representative to the Public for the Escazú Agreement, reflects on what’s next for Jamaica and the wider Caribbean. The conversation unpacks why ratification of the treaty is critical, the gaps in public awareness, and how greater participation can transform environmental decision-making.

Nicole highlights lessons from other countries, the role of civil society in holding governments accountable, and the collaborative push needed to secure stronger protections for environmental defenders. This closing episode looks ahead, offering practical ways advocacy can turn momentum into lasting change.

The views expressed in this video are those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect those of the Jamaica Environment Trust.

Connect with the Defending Our Rights: Environmental Justice in Jamaica Campaign!

Visit - https://defenders.jamentrust.org/

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Episodes also available at - https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/global-yaadie/

What does it take to be a young advocate for the environment in Jamaica? Eleanor Terrelonge knows firsthand. In this episode, she shares her journey as a youth environmental defender, from navigating tokenism and limited access to information, to challenging the fear of speaking out.

The conversation explores how the Escazú Agreement could offer stronger support and real decision-making power for young people passionate about protecting their future. Eleanor also reflects on the urgent need for more inclusive spaces, greater policy support, and broader visibility for youth-led advocacy.

It’s a conversation about courage, climate action, and the hope for a more empowered generation.

The views expressed in this video are those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect those of the Jamaica Environment Trust.

Connect with the Defending Our Rights: Environmental Justice in Jamaica Campaign!

Visit - https://defenders.jamentrust.org/

Follow - https://www.instagram.com/defendersja/

Episodes also available at - https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/global-yaadie/

Beaches in Jamaica aren’t just pretty spots, they are part of childhood memories, family outings and local culture. But what happens when those same beaches are suddenly fenced off? In this episode, Dr. Devon Taylor of the Jamaica Beach Birthright Environmental Movement(JABBEM) talks about why public beach access is disappearing and why it matters to all of us. Dr. Devon Taylor unpacks the historical struggles for public beach access and JABBEM’s push for legislative reform.

He shares how outdated colonial laws, private development and community displacement fuel this struggle and how the Escazú Agreement could help Jamaicans reclaim their right to these spaces.

This episode looks at what it really means to defend public spaces and why access to our beaches is about culture, equality and our connection to the places we love.

The views expressed in this video are those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect those of the Jamaica Environment Trust.

Connect with the Defending Our Rights: Environmental Justice in Jamaica Campaign!

Visit - https://defenders.jamentrust.org/

Follow - https://www.instagram.com/defendersja/

Episodes also available at - https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/global-yaadie/

Environmental defenders face steep challenges, from limited access to information and justice to being excluded from decisions that affect their communities. Filmmaker and activist Dr. Esther Figueroa shares how storytelling can cut through these barriers, inspiring action and building awareness around environmental rights.

The conversation explores the transformative potential of the Escazú Agreement, a regional treaty that guarantees public access to information, participation in decision-making, and stronger protections for environmental defenders. Dr. Figueroa reflects on why community engagement is essential for lasting change and how art can empower everyday people to join the fight for a healthier, more just future.

The views expressed in this video are those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect those of the Jamaica Environment Trust.

Connect with the Defending Our Rights: Environmental Justice in Jamaica Campaign!

Visit - https://defenders.jamentrust.org/

Follow - https://www.instagram.com/defendersja/

Episodes also available at - https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/global-yaadie/

In this episode of Defending Our Rights: Environmental Justice in Jamaica, award-winning journalist and attorney Dionne Jackson Miller explores how the media can help drive environmental awareness and accountability.

From challenges in accessing information to the importance of investigative reporting, she unpacks the role journalists play in making environmental issues relatable and urgent.

The conversation also touches on how the Escazú Agreement could strengthen press freedom and support environmental defenders. With insights on the limits of Jamaica’s Access to Information Act and the need for stronger environmental storytelling, this episode highlights why a well-informed public is key to protecting our natural resources.

The views expressed in this video are those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect those of the Jamaica Environment Trust.

Connect with the Defending Our Rights: Environmental Justice in Jamaica Campaign!

Visit - https://defenders.jamentrust.org/

Follow - https://www.instagram.com/defendersja/

Episodes also available at - https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/global-yaadie/

Diana McCaulay, founder of the Jamaica Environment Trust, shares how she went from knowing little about environmental issues to leading one of Jamaica’s most recognized advocacy groups for over 30 years.

Drawing on her decades of experience, she reflects on the risks faced by environmental defenders, the barriers they encounter in accessing information and justice and why public participation is critical to protecting Jamaica’s natural resources.

The conversation also explores the Escazú Agreement and how it could transform support and protections for those on the frontlines of environmental justice.

The views expressed in this video are those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect those of the Jamaica Environment Trust.

Connect with the Defending Our Rights: Environmental Justice in Jamaica Campaign!

Visit - https://defenders.jamentrust.org/

Follow - https://www.instagram.com/defendersja/

Episodes also available at - https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/global-yaadie/

Environment lawyer Danielle Andrade-Goffe takes us beyond the basics of the Escazú Agreement to explore the legal and cultural realities shaping environmental justice in Jamaica. From the gaps in meaningful public consultation to the limited legal safeguards for environmental defenders, Danielle breaks down why implementation, not just ratification, matters.

She explains why protecting Jamaica’s environment isn’t just about policy but about people. She breaks down how the Escazú Agreement could help everyday Jamaicans get better access to information, speak up in decisions that affect their communities, and hold leaders accountable.

The episode shows how law, policy and public voice can come together to shape Jamaica’s environmental future.

The views expressed in this video are those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect those of the Jamaica Environment Trust and Global Yaadie.

Connect with the Defending Our Rights: Environmental Justice in Jamaica Campaign!

Visit - https://defenders.jamentrust.org/

Follow - https://www.instagram.com/defendersja/

Episodes also available at - https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/global-yaadie/

In this opening episode of Defending Our Rights: Environmental Justice in Jamaica, Dr. Theresa Rodriguez-Moodie, CEO of the Jamaica Environment Trust, talks about the Escazú Agreement and what it means for Jamaica. She breaks down why environmental defenders need stronger protection, how public participation can improve decision-making, and why environmental rights aren’t just for activists, they are for everyone. This conversation lays the foundation for the series, aiming to raise awareness and build support for Jamaica’s ratification of the Escazú Agreement, while showing how everyday Jamaicans can play a part in protecting the places they care about.

The views expressed in this video are those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect those of the Jamaica Environment Trust.

Connect with the Defending Our Rights: Environmental Justice in Jamaica Campaign!

Visit - https://defenders.jamentrust.org/

Follow - https://www.instagram.com/defendersja/

Episodes also available at - https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/global-yaadie/