I write in response to a ludicrous comparison drawn by Eric Phillips that the proposed Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) is a new form of mendicancy.

First and foremost, I would like to ask Mr. Phillips, who seems very knowledgeable of the said strategy, to generate an alternative to the President’s strategy to combat a phenomenon of this magnitude.

If Eric Phillips was present at the launching, then he would have known that the document that was presented on June 8 was a draft, a pilot plan that now needs to be followed up with discussions and consultations. Hence the launch, which now opens the floor for such input both locally and internationally.

If this proposal can combat the rising temperature caused by the emission of green house gases and at the same time benefit the country economically through interim forestry payments as stated in the Draft for Consultation, then I ask Mr. Phillips how is this reduced to begging?

The 15 million hectares of pristine rainforest that is in the proposed strategy constitute one of Guyana’s most valuable natural resource. Countries thrive on their resources, is that a mendicant practice?

Although there are flaws cited in the draft document, there is no substantiated argument that President Jagdeo’s LCDS is incapable of undertaking the global battle of climate change. Being a developing country, it is only practical to seize opportunities that will allow Guyana to ascend the economic scale and if that is mendicancy, then the entire world is guilty of this.
D. Dyalsingh