By Matthew Aubry | Executive Director
The Bahamas is one of the most climate-vulnerable nations in the world. Rising sea levels, stronger hurricanes, and changing marine ecosystems threaten not only our environment but also the communities and livelihoods that depend on it. Yet across our islands, Bahamians continue to demonstrate resilience, creativity, and a deep commitment to protecting the places they call home.
This quarter, ORG Bahamas continued advancing Bahamas Rising, a citizen-powered initiative designed to equip Bahamians—especially youth, women, Family Island communities, and marginalized groups—with the knowledge and opportunities to advocate for climate justice and help shape decisions that affect their future.
A key focus of our work has been supporting public awareness and engagement around the Escazú Agreement, a landmark regional treaty that strengthens citizens’ rights to environmental information, participation in environmental decision-making, and access to justice in environmental matters. The Bahamas joined the agreement in 2025, marking an important step toward more transparent and inclusive environmental governance. The treaty is also the first in the world to include protections for environmental human rights defenders and to guarantee public participation in environmental decisions.
Through community engagement and education activities, ORG helped civil society organizations and community leaders better understand how the agreement can empower citizens to play a more active role in protecting their environment. We also partnered with local organizations to promote climate change education, ensuring that conversations about sustainability reach communities across the country.
As part of this work, ORG facilitated conversations with fishers and coastal communities about their perspectives on marine conservation and the roles they can play in managing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). These dialogues helped inform the development of national best practices for community involvement in MPAs, partnering with notable local experts and organizations to promote that sustainable ocean management depends on the knowledge and participation of the people who rely on these ecosystems every day.
Youth engagement has also been a priority. ORG interns worked on innovative ideas to help make the Escazú Agreement more relevant and accessible to young people, helping translate complex environmental governance concepts into tools and messages that resonate with the next generation.
Looking ahead, The Bahamas will host the Fourth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP4) to the Escazú Agreement in Nassau in April 2026, creating an important opportunity for regional collaboration and dialogue.
Through Bahamas Rising, ORG continues working to ensure that Bahamian citizens are not only informed about climate challenges—but empowered to help shape the solutions.
Looking ahead, The Bahamas will host the Fourth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP4) to the Escazú Agreement in Nassau in April 2026, creating an important opportunity for national and regional dialogue on climate justice and environmental rights. ORG is working with regional and local organizations to build a presence of local stakeholders and civil society to offer community level perspectives.
Through Bahamas Rising, ORG continues working to ensure that Bahamian citizens are not only informed about climate challenges—but empowered to help shape the solutions.
Your support helps ensure that the voices of communities most affected by climate change are heard, respected, and included in building a more resilient Bahamas.
Thank you for helping us power people for climate justice.
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