Soap Opera to Tackle Climate Change

(3BLMedia/theCSRfeed) February 25, 2011 - PCI-Media Impact's My Island - My Community program is featured in an article by Andrea Downer, Panos London, on the organization's website.  Launched in January 2010, the 12 country My Island – My Community program is using communications, networking and campaigns to encourage communities to confront the emerging consequences of climate change in the Caribbean. My Island – My Community promotes multiple strategies, such as ecosystem-based adaptation to climate change, multiple-use marine zoning, emergency preparedness, sustainable finance mechanisms, community well-being and livelihood opportunities and the rehabilitation and conservation of natural sea defenses like mangroves and coral reefs.

 

  Soap Opera to Tackle Climate Change by Andrea Downer   The producers of the Caribbean's first radio soap opera to address climate change know a thing or two about extreme weather. Recording for the pilot series of My Island, My Community had to be put on hold after Hurricane Tomas destroyed their offices in St Lucia in November. Winds of up to 100mph ripped through the island, leaving 14 people dead and causing landslides and heavy flooding. It's now back in production, and looking towards its launch.   "At this moment the story line has been developed, the actors identified and we have started taping, We wanted to have at least two months' worth of programmes recorded before we go on air." said Alleyne Regis, programme officer for PCI Media Impact, a US non-profit organisation that designed the project in partnership with regional NGOs.   "The use of drama is part of our strong oral traditions in the Caribbean," he added.   "In our islands, story-telling is big. In our way of life, instead of someone standing there and saying you should not do that, it is much more effective to tell them in ways that are very real to them.  

 

To read more of the article, please click here.   PCI12052