WITH the realities of climate change becoming more evident, President David Granger said his Administration’s policy will be to chart a course that will protect all citizens from some of these realities. Speaking of the challenges of climate change, peculiar to Guyana, the President spoke of the management of the coastal zone and of the forest and extractive sectors.
“As you know, much of the coast land of Guyana is below the level of the ocean… and as the ocean rises, there is evidence that the entire coastal zone is under threat.”
It is for this reason seawalls were constructed along the coastland, even though those structures are under threat, as well.
Accompanying that too, the President explained is the issue of drainage and irrigation which continues to be a major challenge.
“When the water comes on the land, it has to be removed, and the most efficient way of removing it is mechanical drainage, using pumps, and that too is a great challenge, because they are very expensive to operate.”
While the cost is high, the President noted that it is important to remove excess water from the land, in an effort to bring relief to citizens.
In addition, there will always be Guyana’s susceptibility to variations in climate, as the country has varying ecological and geographical zones, and thus the differences among the climate on the coastland, the hinterland and the forested zones.
“For example, on the coastland, low and flat, the climate is slightly different from the hinterland and the forested mountainous areas, where the rainfall is very heavy in parts of the Amazonian rain forest.”
The Head of State went on to explain that in the Deep South region which is located closer to Brazil, there is a completely different landscape, that of savannahs which have mainly one lengthy spell of rainfall and another of drought.
“When we speak of climate, we are speaking of a very complex geographical phenomenon, it is not one, and although we don’t have to experience the damage of hurricane, earthquake and volcano, up to a month ago there was drought, now there is a flood.”
He added , “For example, timber, we cut down our trees, it can lead to all sorts of environmental problems, desertification, and to the extent that there is mining, that could lead to contamination of our rivers.”
These are other matters that are of great concern to the new administration the President stated, “because with change in climate, it means that eventually temperature could become hotter and higher, and life in Guyana can become less comfortable. We need the trees, the trees are the lungs of the earth.”
Meanwhile, going forward, President Granger said his administration’s policy will be to chart a course that protects all citizens and continue traditions as far as coastal zone management is concerned, improve sea defences and effectively manage drainage and irrigation networks.
While the effects of climate change are not at an alarming rate at present, President Granger said their aim would be to prepare and protect citizens from a catastrophe such as the 2005 floods.
Part of this administration’s effort will also be to prevent the excessive cutting down of trees, and ensure reforestation in mining areas.
Speaking of funding to address issues deriving from climate change,  the President said Guyana has benefitted from funding under the agreement with Norway.
He explained that for the administration, the largest expenditure would be to deal with a catastrophic situation if the need arises to relocate coastlanders to inner land.
Again, mention was made of the soon to be established Sovereign Wealth Fund which will also aid in combating the effects of climate change.
“As we have mentioned before, profit from the extractive industry would be used in a Sovereign Wealth Fund so that our children will not have to face the ravages of poverty.”