Stories of the impact of climate change in the Global South, low-income communities, and communities of colour around the world, are unfortunately still under-reported.
That is when citizen journalists from the Global South play a crucial role. Coming from the community itself, they’re the ones who can bridge aspirations and concerns of their own communities with the world. Empowered and trained, citizen journalists will be able to produce stories that are genuine, resonant, and close to their heart.
We received incredible amount of applications for this programme. And now, Climate Tracker is so excited to announce the fellows. Let’s meet the full team!
Monica Hugh, Guyana 
Monica is an expectant graduate of the University of Guyana, majoring in communication studies. She has a deep passion for photography, photojournalism, storytelling, and travel. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, watching movies, learning about different cultures, and going for a run.
Climate change reporting is important for my country because many locals are not fully aware of the negative impact of climate change and how it can affect them personally. There is a lot of work which needs to be done to educate citizens to ensure a better and more sustainable future for the country.
Lorenso Kasmani, Suriname
Lorenso is an Operational Weather Forecaster at the Meteorological Services of Suriname with almost 10 years of working experience. He is in his final at the Polytechnic College majoring in Meteorology. As a weather enthousiast, he is passionate about the dynamics as well as the composition of the atmosphere and the effect the weather and climate has on all livelihood.
I’m mostly looking forward to the expertise/ knowledge of the trainers, climate journaling/ reporting and knowledge sharing on environment issues, alert protocols and if possible certain trends in futuristic climate conditions.
Ronald Taylor, Guyana
Ronald Taylor, 24 years, aries by nature, Guyanese born is a news anchor, photographer, and editor. Ronald started his career in communications mid – 2016 as a junior reporter and throughout the years embodied every aspect of media offered.
Ronald has worked with the Office of the President, Office of Climate change (OCC), Department of Events, Conferences and Communications (DECC), University of Guyana, and other Agencies in providing coverage of events and activities in Guyana.
I am open to building network and learning from experienced practitioners in the area of climate and environmental reporting. Some of the skills I hope to acquire are, knowledge of how to report effectively on climate issues, learning jargon, use of appropriate words, and affiliated content in environmental and climate change. Most importantly to have fun learning something new.
Rayann Gilbert, Trinidad & Tobago
Rayann Gilbert is a 22 year old aspiring Environmental Engineer with interests in Environmental Journalism.
She recently completed her undergraduate degree in Environmental Science and Sustainable Technology at the UWI St. Augustine campus. She enjoys a wide variety of activities such as spoken word poetry, singing and fiction writing.
I am most looking forward to building my reporting and coverage skillset in areas that I mainly see from a scientific standpoint, and to instead observe the same sitiuations from the lense of a reporter.
Melissa Gordon, Guyana
Melissa is a communication and a media professional with nine years of experience in the media/ journalism field.
She holds a diploma in communications and is currently pursuing a degree of communication studies. Melissa is also the co-founder and acting President of the UG Media Society at the University of Guyana.
Climate reporting is important to Guyana was we seek to implement our low-carbon development strategy 2030, which is Guyana’s road map to sustainable and renewable development.
Guyana is one of the only developing counties with a low-carbon strategy. This therefore showcases the level of importance it places on climate change and climate related issues.
Ryan Seemungal, Trinidad and Tobago
Ryan is a Research Assistant currently employed with the Environmental Management Authority.
He has a BSc in Geography and has over the years facilitated volunteer work as a graphic designer for civil society organizations involved in mental health, plastic pollution, climate change, food insecurity, geographic information systems and history.
In his spare time, he reads about current issues or makes an escape in writing fictional stories based in the Caribbean. Ryan is currently interested in areas related to green transitions and environmental finance.
Climate change is the ultimate multiplier of risk. For Trinidad and Tobago, we do face challenges as both a Small Island Developing State and a major producer of hydrocarbons. The Caribbean itself faces a host of challenges as iconic aspects of the ‘sun, sea and sand’ are under threat and have already been impacted.
Jada Steuart, Trinidad and Tobago
Jada is a freelance writer and digital marketer from Trinidad and Tobago. She has a keen interest in exploring topics about modern-day Trinidad and Tobago, from millennial dating to how the country can tackle the climate crisis. In her free time, she is an avid reader and traveller and can often be found on the beach.
I would like to gain a better understanding of effective climate change reporting. Both logistically, technically and learning the accurate terminology.
Priscilla Misiekaba-Kia, Suriname
Priscilla is a 28 year old journalist with great passion for writing. She has 5 years experience in journalism covering different fields. She holds a bachelor’s degree in History.
Apart from writing articles she loves writing reports for different activities and transcribing audio files for students. She also likes to watch movies and spend quality time with her family.
I am looking forward to write story, but mostly on learning how to go after climate change stories myself.
Christianne Zakour, Trinidad & Tobago 
Christianne is an environmental advocate, project officer and tree-planting ambassador for Caribbean Philanthropic Alliance.
She is also a member of UNEP Major Group of Children and Youth and the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, a 2022 Fellow of Student Energy, 2022 ambassador for Island Innovation, administrative lead for Yugen Stories, co-lead of T&T Climate Network, and a budding writer on environmental matters.
Christianne is aiming for a career in environmental governance and sustainable development with a focus on climate justice.
I think citizen journalism is a new frontier! Career journalists are often beholden to the needs of the newsroom and cannot devote as much energy to what may be seen as unimportant, so training members of the public to self-report is a huge step to transparency and bringing awareness, especially so with issues of climate change.
Rubia Berghout, Suriname
Rubia is an environmentalist with about 18 years of experience in journalism and youth work. In her day to day work she is active as an communications officer, a skill she brings to her work as a volunteer as well. Working with youth and contributing to environmental awareness has always been her passion.
She currently volunteers at Stibula, a local community center and is one of the founding volunteers of Support Recycling Suriname. As a true Surinamese national she enjoys nature and the outdoors. Add a book to the list and heaven is witin grasp.
I am looking for more tools and resources to write about the changes as well as exposure for the stories
Perspectives from the Caribbean Climate Citizen Journalism team will be published and posted on our website and social media. Stay tune on our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and don’t miss the updates from our fellows!