The book Irma Diaries: Compelling Survivor Stories from The Virgin Islands was launched earlier this week.

The launch was held at the BVI International Arbitration Centre, where 150 persons witnessed the event.

The book’s author Angela Burnett said she was inspired to capture this piece of the Virgin Island’s history and share it with the entire world.

Ms. Burnett said, “I became fascinated by how people must have survived and I realised that these amazing stories could really help to connect people in a very human and tangible way to climate change, which for many remains an abstract and distant concept. The reality is that we only act on the things we care about and we often have to have a personal connection to something to care. So I set out to collect survivor stories and The Irma Diaries was born”.

Ms Burnett described writing the book as “an extremely powerful experience and…quite an exercise in faith.” She commenced working on the project on October 2^nd following a public appeal for contribution of stories, and recognised the 25 contributors of the survivor stories, whom she personally interviewed to write the book.

Meanwhile Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Dr. the Honourable Kedrick Pickering thanked Ms. Burnett for her dedication to the local climate change programme, including the development of the Territory’s Climate Change Policy and helping to lead the establishment of The Virgin Islands Climate Change Trust Fund.

Minister Pickering added, “Ms. Burnett’s work on climate change has helped put the Territory on the map”.

Persons were able to pre-order printed copies of the book and received a gift certificate in exchange for their purchase. Persons can also pre-order copies at Serendipity, book store on Main Street. Printed copies are expected on island by the end of January/early February and has a cost of $29.99 each. Alternatively, persons can purchase The Irma Diaries online at  Amazon.com for $9.99.

More information about The Irma Diaries is available at www.TheIrmaDiaries.com.