"Beyond the Beach" is a timely and powerful anthology that amplifies the voices of those whose realities reflect Barbados' deep connection to the ocean as a cornerstone of sustainable living. I believe collections like this are simply vital.
The Hon. Mia Amor Mottley
Prime Minister of Barbados S.C., M.P
Book Reviews
Small Island Developing States are often described as lacking natural resources, yet their surrounding oceans offer abundant opportunities. The book "Beyond the Beach" highlights personal stories of individuals leveraging these marine resources to sustain their livelihoods. Through stunning photography, it challenges abstract notions like the "blue economy," emphasizing the lived experiences of people within these vibrant environments.
Professor Winston Moore
Professor of Economics and Deputy Principal
The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus Barbados
"Beyond the Beach: Conversations on the Blue Economy" is a courageous intervention and critical call to
action for an island economy that benefits people, place, and our oceans. It is a clarion call for
policymakers and economists to rethink their relationship to place and the outcomes of what a Blue Economy should actually produce.
Dr. Kamanamaikalani Beamer PhD
Director of Kamakaküokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies
Professor & Dana N o n e Hall Endowed Chair in Hawaiian Studies, Literature, and the Environment, Hawaii
"Beyond the Beach" takes readers on a captivating journey into the heart of Barbados' oceanic connections, showcasing diverse perspectives from fisherfolk to artists, engineers, yoga teachers,
environmental activists and more. Through rich storytelling, the book delves into the multifaceted ways in which individuals connect with the ocean, fostering empathy and appreciation for its profound influence on island life.
Prof. Anne McDonald
Director of Island Sustainability Institute
Sophia University Japan
Conversations on the Blue Economy
This book beautifully captures the essence of the ocean through stunning images and thought-provoking quotes that invite readers to explore its depths and mysteries.
Embark on a journey through stories and images that capture the essence
of Caribbean islanders and their profound relationship with the ocean.
THE ANTHOLOGISTS
Mr. Clish Gittens
Clish Gittens is a cultural theorist, visual anthropologist and filmmaker
who conceptualised the book. The project is the creative culmination
of his MPhil. thesis in natural resources management where he
examined the relationship between the ocean and culture in the
Caribbean context. Using artistic and humanities methods, he was
ignited with a passion for learning how sustainability can be
understood through the socio-cultural lens. Simply put, he ponders on
how humans interact with their environment, and how those processes
can help us to make progress with our sustainable development goals.
His recent academic pursuit is coupled with a fledging career is eco-
documentary film making, in which he has won multiple awards.
Beyond the Beach is his next creative project using art, storytelling,
and visuals to amplify in particular, the Caribbean experience of
creating a blue economy.
Dr. Crystal Drakes
Crystal is an economist, sustainability strategist and futurist that
moonlights as a budding creative. She is an activist and advocate for
socioeconomic transformation that brings people and nature to the
center of development. Crystal holds a Phd from the
University of the West Indies – Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and
Economic Studies exploring how heterodox economic theory
(Doughnut Economics) can be applied in Caribbean small island states’
blue economies. The book is linked to her thesis on how local networks
and communities are interconnected to their environment and how this
interconnectivity through social systems, can bring about radical
change for sustainable outcomes in coastal and marine environments.
