As Hurricane Melissa, one of the most powerful Atlantic cyclones in history, battered Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and the Bahamas, it left behind a trail of devastation that underscores two critical issues: the escalating climate crisis and the indispensable role of Caribbean unity. The storm, with sustained winds exceeding 157 mph, caused significant damage, displacing thousands and claiming lives even before making landfall. Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness reported severe impacts on infrastructure, including roads, hospitals, and properties, as the storm reached Category 5 intensity. In Haiti, floodwaters claimed 25 lives, including children, while Cuba evacuated 735,000 residents. The storm’s ferocity was fueled by unusually warm seawater, a direct consequence of climate change. UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that humanity has already surpassed the 1.5°C global heating target, with devastating consequences for ecosystems worldwide. Despite these warnings, global discourse remains mired in political divisions, with oil and gas interests influencing populist agendas. Even figures like Bill Gates have downplayed the urgency, suggesting humanity can adapt to climate change. Meanwhile, regional leaders like Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar of Trinidad and Tobago have undermined Caribbean unity, prioritizing national interests over collective action. Hurricane Melissa serves as a stark reminder that no nation is an island; the Caribbean must stand together to face the existential threat of climate change.