Trailblazing Journalist Elesha George Wins Climate Journalism Award

Elesha George, one of the Caribbean’s most inspiring journalists, is elevating her passion for environmental preservation to extraordinary heights.

Hailing from Dominica, she has significantly impacted Antigua and Barbuda’s media scene for over a decade.

Her groundbreaking work, particularly an in-depth report titled “Energy Independence or Extinction: Antigua and Barbuda at a Crossroads,” has captivated audiences and earned her the prestigious Best Multimedia Climate Storytelling award at the Climate Tracker awards, in partnership with Open Society Foundations.

George’s work highlights Antigua and Barbuda’s remarkable journey towards achieving renewable energy goals and realizing the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

In an interview with Antigua.news, she expressed pride in representing the Eastern Caribbean and shared that her love for the environment stems from her upbringing in Dominica, known as the “nature island of the Caribbean.”

“I grew up around natural things, ran around barefoot, and appreciated the animals and creatures in my environment. When I see these wonders threatened, something inside me goes into gear. That’s when I said we need to focus on environmental news,” she stated.

As the founder of the online news platform Island Press Box, George aims to provide easy access to information about environmental issues for the public.

She often encounters individuals who dismiss environmental concerns, saying, “I have heard people saying that they don’t care about the environment because we are going to die anyway. But would you prefer to live 40 years with good quality air or 40 terrible years? The quality of life is what we have to invest in.”

Despite the challenges posed by limited newsroom sizes in the Caribbean, George remains optimistic about prioritizing environmental issues in her reporting.

Her accomplishments extend beyond her recent award; she is also an alumna of the Young Leaders of America Initiative (YLAI), won the ‘Best Journalist’ award at the Antigua Barbuda Gospel Music & Media Awards in 2021, and received the Junior Chamber International ‘Media Trailblazer Award’ in 2023.

George emphasizes the importance of continuous learning, stating, “You should never stop learning. That’s when you stop growing.”

Her message to aspiring professionals is simple: “If you have a passion for it, take baby steps, stay curious, do research, read, and find the comfortable space where you can operate.”