Spreading climate literacy in Cuba

"People do not always take these problems seriously, and do not see the risks involved in extreme natural events, which will become more frequent and increasingly severe. Small-scale actions by local communities can help deal with these changes, which are no longer merely imminent, but are already happening," said Ángela Corvea, a long-time Cuban environmental activist in an interview with Inter Press Service. Her environmental project, Acualina is raising environmental awareness among children and adolescents.

“The role of the population in adaptation strategies is essential in Cuba and the rest of the Caribbean islands” said climate change and development expert Ramón Pichs. He added that a project can be more successsful "if the communities have an adequate level of awareness about the problems. The local level is key for climate adaptation, and the roles of the population and of the different organisations present in the community are essential for taking appropriate action”. Finally, he emphasized the necessity of links between these sectors and national institutions handling environmental problems.