We Can Solve This Podcast

Food Security: What it Means and What We Can Do

Dr. Cliff Riley, breaks down the complex nature of food security and its critical importance to Jamaica's economy and future. • Food security encompasses three essential components: access, availability, and quality of food • Jamaica imports over $1 billion worth of food annually, including many staples of the Jamaican diet • Climate change significantly impacts food security through unpredictable weather patterns and rising temperatures • Countries should ideally produce 60-70% of what their population consumes to maintain food security • Food waste is a major issue in Jamaica with 80% of mangoes and 50% of tomatoes being dumped during peak seasons • Policy frameworks are critical for creating sustainable food systems and supporting agricultural investment • Water catchment systems represent a significant opportunity to improve agricultural resilience • Individual actions like backyard gardening and choosing local products contribute meaningfully to food security • Training and education in agricultural practices are essential for building technical capacity • Value-added processing could transform wasted produce into year-round available products Visit the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN), International Trade Centre, or World Health Organization websites for more information on food security initiatives.

Modernize without Compromise: Developing our Cities via Social Urbanism

Architect David Cuthbert shares how Jamaica can embrace modern development while preserving its environmental integrity through an approach called social urbanism. He offers practical solutions to balance infrastructure needs with ecological principles, creating urban spaces uniquely designed for Jamaica's tropical climate and cultural context. • Social urbanism focuses on urban decisions for long-term community benefit rather than short-term gains • Kingston's development currently faces problems with removal of old growth trees and excessive hard surfaces • Heat islands form in areas with minimal shade and too many concrete surfaces, making cities uncomfortably hot • Jamaica needs its own development approach rather than copying foreign urban models unsuited to tropical climates • Historical precedents like arcades (overhangs above sidewalks) provided climate-appropriate design solutions • Pocket parks offer small-scale community green spaces that improve urban environments • Current planning regulations need more specificity about environmental requirements • Local community groups, professional organizations, and government agencies must collaborate on solutions • Every Jamaican citizen can contribute by questioning development practices and demanding better designs • Small changes at individual and community levels can drive meaningful improvements in urban environments

Unlocking Agro-Processing Success

Dr. Aisha Bailey reveals how agri-processing can transform raw agricultural materials into valuable products that command higher prices in the marketplace and create profitable business opportunities. • Agribusiness involves forming structured business organizations around agriculture, while agri-processing is a subset focused on transforming raw materials into value-added products • The scientific approach is essential for product development regardless of educational background - it involves methodical processes, documentation, and standardization • Understanding your customer early and telling your product's story can build anticipation and trust before your product is even launched • You don't need to be a scientist to succeed in agri-processing - technical expertise can be hired just like any other service • Jamaica has several organizations that support agri-processing entrepreneurs including JBDC, Bureau of Standards, Scientific Research Council, and RADA • Following Food and Drug Act regulations ensures consumer safety and builds trust in your products • Product development is "not for the squeamish" - it requires patience and persistence, looking at one step at a time Jamaica has the capacity and resources to produce quality value-added agricultural products rather than importing them. The world is waiting for what we have to offer.

Understanding Jamaica's Data Protection Act

Trevor Forrest pulls back the curtain on Jamaica's Data Protection Act in this eye-opening conversation about digital privacy and information security. With over three decades of IT experience, particularly in cybersecurity, Forrest masterfully breaks down a complex piece of legislation into practical, understandable terms that affect every Jamaican. The episode begins by exploring how our relationship with data has evolved dramatically in recent decades. As Forrest explains, we now generate more information in a single year than entire decades produced in the past. This explosion of data has created both opportunities and vulnerabilities, making your personal information incredibly valuable not just to legitimate businesses but also to malicious actors. What makes this conversation particularly valuable is how Forrest dismantles common misconceptions about who the law applies to. Every business that collects personal information - from multinational corporations to your local hairdresser or mechanic - is considered a "data controller" under the law. This means the small shea butter business selling products via Instagram has similar responsibilities to banks and insurance companies when it comes to protecting customer information. Perhaps most empowering for listeners is learning about the unprecedented rights this legislation grants to citizens. You can now demand access to all information a company holds about you, refuse to provide unnecessary personal details during transactions, and expect to be notified within 72 hours if your data is compromised in a breach. These protections align Jamaica with global standards, joining the approximately 75% of countries worldwide that have similar laws. Whether you're running a small business concerned about compliance, or simply want to understand your rights as a consumer in the digital age, this episode provides essential knowledge for navigating Jamaica's increasingly digital landscape. Visit oic.gov.jm to learn more about your rights and responsibilities under the Data Protection Act. Recorded 2024

Citizen engagement, voting behaviour & using our voices.

Jeanette Calder, founder of the Jamaica Accountability Meter Portal (JAMP), reveals how Jamaicans can engage with governance beyond voting through digital tools and citizen action. She shares practical strategies for holding elected officials accountable and explains why declining voter turnout doesn't mean citizens can't influence government decisions. • JAMP provides six digital tools that give citizens information and access to decision-makers • Voting participation has fallen from 80% in the 1960s to just 29.6% in recent elections due to lack of trust and perceived ineffectiveness • Regular citizens can impact governance through call-in programs, social media, and attending Constituency Development Fund meetings • Politicians actively monitor citizen feedback—even 10 people raising the same issue gets their attention • The Access to Information Act gives every Jamaican the right to request information from government entities with a 30-day response requirement • "Don't let what you can't do stop you from doing what you can" – small actions by citizens add up to meaningful accountability Visit www.jamp.ja.org to access all accountability tools and learn how to engage with your government effectively.