my climate story
“artificial intelligence is computer science. it’s literally computer science.”
- jameel gordon
my journey with weather and climates began in 1980 when i was born in jamaica, west indies. growing up in jamaica granted me the privilege of experiencing tropical weather and climate during my early years. some of my fondest memories revolve around the tropical climate of jamaica. i vividly recall waking up as a child, stepping outside, and immersing myself in the natural surroundings—playing with trees, mud, rivers, plants, insects, and enjoying an array of fruits and vegetables within our habitat.
during my time in jamaica, two weather-related experiences left a lasting impact. i lived through several hurricanes, including hurricane gilbert in 1988, which caused extensive destruction and claimed many lives. i distinctly remember being in the eye of the storm, sensing its eerie calmness while knowing the havoc it had caused and would likely continue.
another significant experience was when my aunt brought back a red delicious apple from the bahamas. that moment exposed me to a broader world beyond jamaica. soon after, my family immigrated to the united states, specifically new york city, where i encountered the four distinct seasons and witnessed snowfall for the first time.
living in nyc, i distinctly remember the severe snowstorms and historic blizzards of the 1990s, alongside the intense heat and humidity of summers, starkly different from jamaica’s tropical weather. i also spent six years living in buffalo, ny where the weather and climate are even more different. while living in buffalo, i often joked about experiencing five seasons: spring, summer, fall, winter, and snow. buffalo’s weather patterns are oddly predictable, with snow seeming to persist from martin luther king jr.’s birthday until mid-april.
it was in buffalo that i transitioned from being a bystander to an activist in the climate crisis. reading bill gates’ book, “how to avoid a climate disaster,” was a turning point. the book illuminated the severity of the problem, compelling me to make a challenging decision—to pivot professionally and work on solutions to the climate crisis, despite it being my third career shift at my age.
to address this crisis, i embarked on an ambitious path, delving into the scientific aspects underlying climate challenges. i aimed to study english and law within the university system, recognizing public policy as a critical hurdle in implementing climate solutions. i also envisioned establishing a research organization or collaborating within the university system for further academic and scientific support.
my time at the university of buffalo was well invested as they ‘graduated’ me after a year, as my performance impressed them. utilizing artificial intelligence, i developed new frameworks aligned with the united nations sustainability goals, establishing my think tank, oaks + oars where we continue to be focused on developing new ideas for public policies as it relates to the climate crisis and the united nations sustainable development goals.
