Chandelle and Fondes Amandes
by Chandelle O'Neil
I live in the northern range mountains in Trinidad and Tobago. Growing up close to nature it's impossible not to notice how climate change has impacted my environment and community. In 2014 during the dry season, a bush fire in the area travelled up one hill and down the hill behind my house and ended up clearing the 2 acres of untouched forestry behind my house and getting close enough to burn parts of the roof.
I’ve always liked the rain so much so as a child I would plan my days around whether or not it was going to rain to have playing in the rain booked in my schedule. Now, with more intense rainy season I can see the way the water run-off is craving up new paths in the mountains, making new paths and directly impacting people's homes. In the last few years all the conundrums of living in rural conditions are now exacerbated.
This year my house is undergoing to make it more resilient to the most intense rain bombs, including adding on retaining walls to a part of the foundation that has dropped around 3 inches, installing a new drain under one of the bedrooms and re-doing the whole roof because climate change has made it a dire necessity. The more intense rain also causes serious flooding in the lower lands due to inadequate watershed protection.
I volunteer wih the Fondes Amandes Reforestation project, lead by women, in my community (over the hill behind my house) planting trees and maintaining fire trails because I’ve been through a bush fire and I’ve seen when rivers burst their banks to make roads impassable cutting off people and leaving communities stranded in terrible situations. I’ve also witnessed with scarcity of resources communities come together to clear, repair and rebuild when we know the government isn’t coming and the only way is to work with your neighbour.
About
I am Chandelle O'Neil (they/them) and I am from Trinidad and Tobago. I went to university and worked in Canada where I obtained my Bachelor’s of Engineering in mechanical engineering (with distinction) specialised for sustainable energy systems design and worked in process engineering for waste reduction and improving efficiencies at large international companies including Johnson&Johnson. Along with being a Global Shaper with the Port-of- Spain Hub, I have my own enterprise, Mawu Energy Services that supports energy efficiency, sustainable design and resource management in residential and small commercial buildings. I was a Global Water Partnership-Caribbean (GWP-C) Young Caribbean Water Entrepreneurs Shark Tank Competition Finalist - December 2020. I am a Youth Climate Expert and pursuing a post-grad diploma in Global Leadership with the UN Mandated University for Peace.
I learn and do things while I am here to keep the good things good, keep the great things great while working on projects I can to make everything else better.