GREENHOUSE gases, including carbon dioxide, have been building up in the Earth’s atmosphere over the past few decades. This has resulted in an ‘enhanced greenhouse effect’ which essentially is causing an increase in the temperature of the atmosphere, referred to as Global Warming. This phenomenon has been the cause of the significant changes in our climate which is being experienced throughout the world. These changes include a shift in weather patterns, and an increase in natural disasters, which have led to increased occurrences of droughts and famines, loss of biodiversity and food security issues among others.¬¬¬

We need to adapt to our changing climate
Climate Change will continue to have increasing negative impacts on countries all around the world. Over the last decade, an increasing number of countries have been contributing towards global efforts in addressing the issues arising from Climate Change. Over a decade ago, most countries signed on to the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change (UNFCC). This convention brings world leaders together to make crucial decisions related to addressing the causes of global warming, and coping with and adapting to the inevitable increase in temperature globally.

Developed countries have been able to make great progress in this regard, and they can be viewed as ‘way ahead’ of developing countries in efforts of adapting to the change in climate. This is simply due to the fact that developing countries, such as Guyana and the other countries of the Caribbean, simply do not have the finances to do the same. Some of these initiatives, including waste management, renewable energy, sea defense infrastructure and the agriculture sector, are most urgent as it relates to combating Climate Change.

Renewable Energy: Fossil fuels continue to be the world’s most dependent source of energy. Sadly, the burning of fossil fuels is a leading source of carbon emissions into the atmosphere. We must turn to alternative sources of energy which will have less environmental impacts. These include Solar, Wind, Hydro (water) and Geothermal.

Waste Management: The production of waste poses a great challenge with regard to storage. Developing countries are even more affected, as most do not have the recycling plants (for glass, plastics, etc) which can significantly reduce the amount of waste reaching our landfills.

Sea Defense Infrastructure: Probably the first evidence of global warming that made a great visual impact on the world was the melting of glaciers and icebergs. This process has led to a rise in sea level, which has a direct impact on people, as the majority of the human population lives along coastal areas.

Agriculture: Food security is increasingly becoming a very serious issue for many countries around the world. The threat of droughts, increase in pests, and the shortage of fertile lands is a growing concern today.

Rich countries such as the USA, the UK and those belonging to the European Union are much better prepared, and have been making great progress as compared to developing countries. The reason is obvious: They have more money.

Since the formation of UNFCCC, there have been several formulations of various mechanisms that would allow payments to poor countries. The financial mechanism of REDD (Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation), for instance, allows for countries with rainforests to be paid for the services that standing forest offer to the world, including carbon sequestration or storage.

Guyana and Climate Change
Guyana has taken action and adopted strategies to help combat Climate Change. One of the major focuses in this regard is education and awareness. It has been the common goal of several governmental and non-governmental organizations to provide opportunities for Guyanese to know about Climate Change, and what can be done to combat it. All age-groups have been targeted over the years to ensure as many people are aware of the impacts of climate change, and to encourage more friendly attitudes towards the environment. The EPA has been doing much outreach and awareness activities in this regard with primary and secondary schools, local community groups and environmental clubs in Guyana.

Added to this, the Government of Guyana has taken the bold step of strategizing actions towards benefiting from REDD+ by increasing efforts to protect our rainforest. Added to this, a Low-Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) has been developed, outlining Guyana’s plan to protect our rainforests and promote a low carbon economy.

We all have a role to play in combating Climate Change. Guyana’s Low-Carbon Development Strategy is a bold step towards combating the effects of Climate Change. Support Guyana’s initiative for the LCDS, and adapt a more environmentally-friendly lifestyle!

You can share ideas and questions by sending letters to: ‘Our Earth, Our Environment’, C/o EIT Division, The Environmental Protection Agency, 7 Broad and Charles Street, Charlestown, GEORGETOWN or email us at eit.epaguyana@gmail.com