Earth Today | Young minds show off green solutions

AS CLIMATE change intensifies, Jamaica, like many small island developing states (SIDS), faces growing threats from flooding, heat stress, food insecurity, and environmental degradation. However, glimmers of hope were on display at the recent JPS Foundation Climate Action Conference and Expo held in Kingston.

The top five schools in the Nature-based Solutions category of the EcoSpark Innovation Challenge showcased innovative ideas of how we can use nature to tackle climate issues in practical, scalable ways. The projects on display offered a glimpse into how local ingenuity, combined with environmental awareness, can drive meaningful climate action.

Included among them is St Mary Technical High School, which is tackling both flooding and food security through a solar-powered hydroponics and aquaponics greenhouse system. By capturing and recycling rainwater, and integrating renewable energy and smart farming technologies, students are creating a resilient agricultural model that can withstand climate shocks while producing food for their school community.

“For a country that imports a significant portion of its food, this kind of innovation speaks directly to Jamaica’s need for sustainable, climate-resilient agriculture,” said a release from the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica (EFJ) who have partnered with the Jamaica Public Service Foundation on their EcoSpark Innovation Challenge, through its Global Affairs Canada-funded Jamaica Urban Solutions for the Environment project.

VISION

Charlemont High School students presented a vision to transform their campus into a “Green Oasis Food Forest”. By introducing rain gardens, composting systems, and layered vegetation, they are reducing heat, managing water runoff, and increasing biodiversity, all while creating a living classroom.

“These solutions are not only environmentally impactful but also educational. They equip students with hands-on experience in sustainability, agriculture, and climate science,” the EFJ noted.

Urban schools are also reimagining how small spaces can make a big difference. The Queen’s School’s “Bottle & Bloom Eco-Zone” promises to transform waste materials like plastic bottles into vertical gardens and shaded seating areas, improving air quality and reducing heat while promoting recycling.

Likewise, St George’s College is piloting a miniature “sponge city” concept, using rain gardens and engineered soil systems to absorb and store rainwater, reducing flooding, and cooling the environment.

“What makes these projects especially significant is their replicability. Designed using low-cost, locally available materials, they can be adapted and scaled for different communities across the island. These projects demonstrate that nature-based solutions offer a sustainable alternative to tackling climate change, and these young innovators are proving they can lead the way,” the EFJ said.