The Blue Talk is an opportunity for the auddience to learn more about the pioneer vision of the Government of Barbados on addressing environmental challenges. Through the new Ministry of Maritime Affairs and the Blue Economy, and the single-use plastic ban, the Government of Barbados has become one of the world leaders on championing the principles of the Blue Economy and sustainable development.

Julian Roberts is a marine scientist with a PhD in International Maritime Policy from the University of Wollongong. He also holds a Master’s in Marine Resource Management from Heriot-Watt University.

Prior to establishing Blue Resources Ltd, an international marine resource management consultancy, Julian was a senior adviser and acting Director for the Commonwealth Secretariat’s Oceans and Natural Resources Advisory Division, based on London.

Currently a member of the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas, he is also an Honorary Fellow of the Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security.

Nikola Simpson, founder of Sustainable Caribbean, is a marine biologist & natural resource environmental manager by profession and passionate about the planet, people, policy and partnerships. She recently opened The Crate Barbados, the Caribbean's first one stop eco shop where she inspires individuals to make small changes that create a big positive impact towards an environmentally sustainable and conscious Caribbean.

Nikola uses her voice to speak for the environment and raises awareness on sustainable fisheries, ocean conservation, plastic pollution and climate change within the context of the Blue Economy in Barbados and the Caribbean.

Joshua Forte is a sustainable environmental management practitioner based in Barbados.

In 2014, he started Red Diamond Compost, a biotech business that focuses on research, development, and commercialization of organic and biologic soil treatment and crop protection solutions made primarily from organic waste residuals and other organic environmental hazards such as the Sargassum seaweed which has been plaguing the region for the past few years.

Joshua has expanded his expertise to include additional areas of environmental management outside of agriculture, with the primary focus of removing pollutants from the environment and improving climate resilience and food & nutrition security. His work with organizations in various capacities across the region has awarded him national and regional recognition as an expert in the field of climate-smart environmental management.

Tamaisha Eytle

With over 10 years of experience in the development space she is passionate about education and innovation for social impact. She specializes in communication and non-profit capacity development. 

She has a Master's in Integration Studies from UWI Cavehill Campus and a Degree in International Studies from York University in Canada.

Watch a recording of the event here.