In this episode, Khadija sits down with Rickeem Lashey for an honest conversation about belonging in ocean and climate work. They unpack why conservation efforts are stronger when communities are included from the start, and why young people should feel empowered to contribute even without a specific qualification or job title. Rickeem shares his growing confidence as a PhD student in sustainable transitions, focused on making environmental justice more meaningful and practical for communities.

Together, they reflect on the realities of showing up in global spaces like UNOC3, the barriers Caribbean organisations and British Overseas Territories face when it comes to access and representation, and why visibility matters for small island communities. The conversation also zooms into the Cayman Islands, touching on mangrove protection, development pressures, and the role of youth-led groups pushing for change. They close on storytelling, photography, and community as powerful tools to shift narratives and expand who gets to be seen, heard, and trusted in conservation.

In this episode, we sit down with Kevan Kalapnath Maharaj, Managing Director of IAMovement, an environmental NGO based in Trinidad and Tobago, to explore how vetiver grass is emerging as a practical, locally relevant nature based solution for building climate resilience. Together, we unpack what makes vetiver so effective for stabilising soil, reducing erosion, and supporting green infrastructure, and why projects like these deliver stronger, longer lasting results when communities are meaningfully engaged from the start.

Kevan shares how IAMovement, founded in 2014, works through education, empowerment, and public awareness activities that connect social, environmental, and economic issues across Trinidad and Tobago and the wider Caribbean. Drawing on his background in Chemical and Process Engineering (UWI St Augustine) and certification in Project and Facilities Management, he also reflects on co leading the Caribbean Green Infrastructure Conference in 2022 and 2025, a platform that brought together regional and international stakeholders to advance green infrastructure, nature based solutions, and innovative climate finance mechanisms for Small Island Developing States. This conversation is a grounded reminder that real impact sits at the intersection of strong science, practical tools, and community trust.

To learn more visit https://iamovement.org/

https://www.instagram.com/IAMovement/#

In this episode of the EcoVybz Podcast, Keron shares his journey in agricultural communications and digital content creation, and how he is using technology to reshape the way agriculture is taught and understood in the Caribbean. From developing an educational project with 360 degree video and VR headsets for schools, to reflecting on the role of AI, critical thinking, and storytelling, Keron highlights why innovation must be rooted in reality and context, not imported or imposed. This conversation explores the intersections of agriculture, education, and technology, and why staying grounded in lived Caribbean experiences is key to building resilient futures.

For more follow Tech4Agri on Instagram