-Climate Change Advisor says at CARICOM workshop
The Government’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) could not be more well-timed as the Caribbean becomes progressively susceptible to natural disasters due to the effects of climate change.
Advisor to the President on Climate Change, Andrew Bishop, made these remarks at the opening of a three-day CARICOM workshop on Sustainable Development.
The workshop, under the theme, “Strengthening the Enabling Environment for Improving the Sub-Regional and National Sustainable Consumption and Production Action Plans”, is being conducted at the Guyana International Conference Centre.
Delivering the feature address, Bishop said the LCDS was born out of the recognition that the region stands to suffer as a result of global warming.
He noted that the Caribbean has been given an opportunity to develop the economy while simultaneously responding to the environment.
Bishop stated that climate change is an undisputed fact, although debates may surface over the rate of deterioration.
He explained that should global temperatures remain stagnant, the physical result of thermal expansion would still cause the sea level to rise.
“Weather patterns are changing, storms are becoming frequent and more intense, and if the causes remain unchecked, the projection is that there is going to be massive destruction of infrastructure and agriculture leading to diseases, scarcity of resources and lack of water and food, which can have a propensity for conflict and war,” Bishop said.
He pointed out that since most of Guyana’s population and infrastructure exist below sea level, climate change creates ‘a real and present danger’.
Since deforestation is such a major driver of global warming, it makes sense that preservation of the forest is critical in mitigating climate change, Bishop said.
“This introduces an apparent dilemma, since we need the forest for economic development and for environmental services.”
However, the LCDS prevents a dichotomy as it embraces the preservation of the forest while promoting greater revenue generation.
Deforestation is viewed as a global market failure as the price of a tree is greater when the tree is converted to a log rather than when it stands as part of a forest. He said there would be no deforestation should the price be tied to the true ecological value of the forest.
The basis of LCDS is that a certain level of financing for forestry conservation be used for alternative activities, in essence, marrying both objectives of environmental sustainability and economic development.
Through the Copenhagen meetings, developed countries have pledged $30B for the next two years and $100B by 2020 towards compensation.
President Bharrat Jagdeo has been named to the Advisory Committee on Financing for Climate Change which was set up by United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon. The committee is expected to deliberate on climate resilient economics.
Guyana’s LCDS model caters for sustainable use of energy through alternative sources such as solar, hydro power and biomass development which will in effect reduce living costs. It also includes diversification into non-traditional food sources including aquaculture, livestock, and high-value crops in low-forested areas.
Rural communities will be assisted with other forms of livelihood especially in the area of eco-tourism.
In order to adequately prepare for climate change, Bishop stressed that measures of adaptation are being put in place including the upgrade of the present sea defence structures.
Guyana’s irrigation system consists of a dyke that holds water in the backlands, releasing it in a controlled way for irrigation purposes, and letting it out through a gate for drainage purposes.
CARICOM Assistant Secretary General, Professor Edward Greene, in his presentation, said that the region must now focus on its use of resources and reduction of emissions while producing and consuming in a sustainable manner.
He added that the Caribbean must adopt more sustainable lifestyles and ensure that the wider cross-section of stakeholders have insight on the environmental impact on its people.
The workshop, chaired by Barbados and Jamaica, is expected to address best practices to facilitate the implementation of the regional programme and engage in a series of activities intent on strengthening CARICOM’s integration process.(GINA)