AS I READ an article entitled, ‘EU could provide billions for forests’, carried in the Stabroek Newspaper, I was indeed heartened to learn that the European Union is in full support of everything that President Bharrat Jagdeo has been saying through his proposed Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). Recently, President Jagdeo has become known for taking the model approach to combating the effects of climate change, while at the same time generating much-needed funding to develop and improve initiatives that will better the lives of Guyanese.

This vision is supported by the EU, which is willing to provide up to 2.5 billion euros ($3.55 billion) a year to help small nations protect their tropical forests. This matter will be a key issue at the Copenhagen talks in December, which is seen as the last chance to prevent severe damage to the planet.

If this strategy is adopted in Copenhagen, then Guyana will see vast development in its economy. Only recently, the President disclosed that this funding will also be used to develop a new wave of infrastructure, which will allow for access to more land.

This report by the EU shows the degree of recognition that the LCDS has received, with regards to its capability to decrease greenhouse gas emissions. I would also like to commend the President for taking such a prominent stand to deal with an issue of such global magnitude.