<
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/21/grenada-climate-crisis-slavery-legacy>
"When category 4 Hurricane Beryl hit the Caribbean last June, the three-island
nation of Grenada bore the brunt of its wrath. At the time, the country’s prime
minister, Dickon Mitchell, described the destruction as “almost
Armageddon-like”. On the small island of Carriacou, it was estimated by
officials that more than 90% of the buildings were damaged or destroyed.
Agriculture and infrastructure for electricity and communication were almost
completely wiped out.
Nearly a year on, there are some signs of recovery and rebuilding, but
hollowed-out buildings, roofless houses and charred, dying mangroves tell the
story of a community that is still coming to grips with the devastation.
Some people are still living in tents. Artists Michael Alexander and Yolanda
VendenDunden pitched theirs on the foundations of one of the many houses
demolished by the hurricane.
VendenDunden had just moved to the island from the Netherlands when authorities
announced Beryl was coming. The artists say the hurricane was much worse than
they expected.
“The roof started to shake, and the walls caved in. Yolanda passed out,” said
Alexander.
They survived, but they lost their home and many of their possessions. Suddenly
homeless, they decided to live in the tent, with a makeshift bathroom and
kitchen beside it. “I built up back the kitchen and bathroom from the pieces of
the house and blocked it off so the lady could get privacy. And we sleep in the
tent,” said Alexander.
The tent gives them some privacy, but it gives them no refuge from the
oppressive heat. And local farmers say that heat is causing droughts which are
worse every year."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
