For island nations like Barbados, where the rhythms of daily life are shaped by the tides and the rains, climate resilience is not just a goal: it is a way of life rooted in the wisdom of the land and its people. At the 16th United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification Conference of the Parties (UNCCD COP16), held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, December 2–13, 2024, nations gathered to address some of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. For Small Island Developing States like Barbados, the stakes are especially high. Climate change, land degradation, and water scarcity are not distant threats—they are daily realities. These nations need to reflect on innovative solutions and collective strength. By integrating respect for heritage and Indigenous knowledge with forward-thinking advancements, they can lead the way toward a sustainable future.
As an urban Indigenous woman born and raised in Barbados, I am deeply connected to this island’s culture and traditions while honoring the wisdom of my LokonoArawak heritage. My father, who is Barbadian and Lokono, and my mother, Lokono and from Guyana’s Pakuri Territory, instilled in me a strong sense of identity that bridges both worlds. Growing up in Barbados, I was nurtured by the vibrancy of Caribbean life and the teachings of my Indigenous heritage, which shaped my understanding of resilience, community, and sustainability. This blend of modern Barbadian life and ancient Indigenous traditions has shaped my vision for resilience and sustainability. It demonstrates that the solutions we seek today are deeply intertwined with the wisdom of the past and the innovations of the present. By embracing all parts of who we are, we can navigate the challenges of climate crises with strength and unity, showing the world the power of balance and harmony.
Barbados, lovingly called “the Gem of the Caribbean Sea,” embodies a legacy of resilience and collaboration. Central to this legacy are the contributions of its Indigenous Peoples, whose deep understanding of the land, honed over 4,000 years, laid the groundwork for the island’s agricultural practices. The First Peoples of Barbados at the time of Columbus were the Lokono-Arawaks. In 1627, members of this Tribal Nation were contracted by the first English colonists of Barbados to impart their understanding of how to live in harmony with the land. Until 1630, they guided settlers on cultivating crops suited to specific soil types; the poorly drained red high clay content soil, black nutrient-rich well-drained soil, and sandy, nutrient-poor soil, where only cassava could thrive. They also emphasized the importance of planting crops at the most favorable times of the year, such as when the Pleiades star system became visible in the night sky, signaling the onset of the rainy season.
Barbadian agriculture. Photo courtesy of barbadosenvironment.org.
These early agricultural contributions were transformative. The Lokono-Arawaks introduced crops such as cassava, corn, sweet potatoes, tobacco, pineapples, and sugar cane, which they obtained from Dutch colonists in Guyana in 1618. They also shared sustainable farming practices such as crop rotation to prevent soil exhaustion. Corn, beans, and pumpkins were often planted together so that beans would grow on the corn stalk. The large pumpkin leaves retained soil moisture and shaded the soil, allowing the plants to mutually fertilize one another. This holistic approach improved soil health and increased yields, forming the foundation for sustainable agriculture on the island.
The Lokono-Arawaks’ knowledge extended beyond the land to the sea. Over centuries, they mastered techniques for navigating tides and seasonal changes, identifying the safest times of the year for long-distance voyages. This knowledge became crucial not only for trade but also for resistance. During the 17th and 18th centuries, many enslaved Africans used these techniques to escape from Barbados to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. These voyages often took place between December and April, during the dry season following the end of the hurricane season. Today, recreational sailors continue to benefit from this ancient wisdom, which remains a vital part of the Caribbean’s cultural heritage.
In terms of water-related ancient Indigenous knowledge, observing the behavior of wildlife helps us predict rainfall with stunning accuracy. The frigate bird flies in circles over land near the coast exactly 15 minutes before rain falls. One to three days before heavy rains, male termites swarm around light sources in the house at night. Seven days before flooding, ground-dwelling ants build the mud entrances to their nests several inches high. And about 15-30 minutes before a tsunami strikes, shore-nesting birds and coastal mammals flee inland, offering humans a chance to follow them to higher ground and save their lives.
Innovation Rooted in Indigenous Principles
Barbados is ranked among the 15 most water-scarce nations globally, relying heavily on rainfall-fed aquifers. Ancient Indigenous wisdom provides valuable insights into addressing this challenge, and Barbados is building on this legacy of ancient Indigenous wisdom to tackle the critical challenge of water scarcity with the latest modern technology.
Tapping underground water tables using a series of bottomless clay pots stacked upon each other to create water wells in the dry season embodies Indigenous Peoples’ long-held principles of working with natural cycles to create sustainable systems. Combining this technology with improved infrastructure, such as the upgraded South Coast sewage plant that recycles wastewater for irrigation and groundwater replenishment and the two existing desalination plants, Barbados is building a future where water scarcity no longer limits growth.
Modern innovations like the Eco Sky Water initiative are further helping to address this critical issue. This solar-powered technology extracts water vapor from the air, producing over 1,000 liters of clean, drinkable water daily. Scaling such systems to homes, schools, and farms could transform water access across the island.
This same harmony with natural cycles guides solutions in agriculture, where the need for climate-resilient practices grows more urgent each year. Barbados dedicates 37% of its land to agriculture, but much of this remains tied to sugarcane production, a colonial legacy. Transitioning to diversified farming with climate-resilient crops is essential to strengthening food security and reducing dependence on imports.
The first mural in Barbados honoring the island’s First Peoples. Photo courtesy of Trandy Escapes.
Combining traditional agricultural knowledge with modern science, farmers can cultivate crops suited to changing conditions. For example, intercropping and agroforestry inspired by Indigenous practices can improve soil health and reduce erosion. Small-scale poultry farmers, who are struggling with heat stress due to rising temperatures, need access to affordable infrastructure like shaded coops and water-efficient cooling systems to sustain their operations.
Marine ecosystems are critical to Barbados’ culture and economy but face growing threats from overfishing, coral reef bleaching, and pesticide runoff. Barbados’ debt-for-climate deal is funding the modernization of sewage systems to reduce ocean contamination. These efforts protect marine biodiversity while ensuring the livelihoods of fisherfolk who depend on the sea. Strengthening conservation practices and promoting sustainable fishing methods are crucial to preserving these ecosystems for future generations.
By embracing solutions rooted in resilience, collaboration, and innovation, Small Island Developing States like Barbados can lead the way in sustainable development. The intersection of ancestral wisdom and cutting-edge science offer powerful opportunities to address water scarcity, food security, and marine conservation. But this is not just about addressing climate change. It is about transforming vulnerabilities into strengths, showing the world how balance and sustainability can thrive in harmony.
By honoring the wisdom of the past, we can create innovative solutions that ensure resilience in the face of global challenges. The answers we seek today lie in combining the solutions of the past with those of the present. Every part of our history, our culture, and our knowledge matters. By embracing this truth, our nations have the chance to inspire global action with their stories, solutions, and leadership.
Sabantho Aderi Corrie-Edghill is a Lokono-Arawak member of the Pakuri Tribal Territory Autonomous Indigenous community in Region 4, Guyana. She is an Indigenous rights activist, Indigenous data provider, remedial educator, illustrator, and children’s author.
Top photo: Coral regeneration project. Photo courtesy of Barbados Environmental Conservation Trust.
