HURRICANES and storms ripping through the United States (U.S.) and the Caribbean, including Guyana and our exceedingly hot days, are a few examples that the ecological system is being altered and bringing with it serious consequences.
Continued denial that climate change is not driven by man’s bad practices and therefore no need to work to restore and protect the environment cannot be allowed to fly in the face of environmental evidence. Guyanese live all over the world, concentrated mostly in countries such the U.S, Canada, United Kingdom and the Caribbean. Hurricane Harvey, which landed last week in Texas U.S, the havoc it wreaked in its aftermath, adversely impacting the lives of those who live there and the economy, is another reminder of what man must confront. TheTexas Governor has reportedly estimated the damage could reach US$180 billion.
Ensuing historic rainfalls which overflowed the banks and flooded streets, damaged everything within vicinity. Texans are compelled to evacuate their homes, the death toll has risen, potential for health risks are real, tens of thousands dislocated, homes, businesses and other properties damaged, the state’s economy shaken. Our hearts go out to those who are going through this tough period.
What is of significance too is that Harvey has been impacting states through rainfalls and flooding. Even as persons are trying to grapple with its impact and consequences, meteorologists are warning about a coming Hurricane, Irma, presently in the Atlantic and can land this week, with potential impact to the U.S and Caribbean. The frequency and devastation of these hurricanes and storms are bringing once again to the fore that these disasters will not stop, be constrained or averted if man continues to act like the proverbial ostrich, with heads buried in the sand.
While there is the argument that hurricane of Harvey’s magnitude lands every 500 to 100 years and that such may be an ‘act of god’ or natural occurrence, technical/scientific minds have cautioned that atmospheric changes as a result of man’s actions are threatening the ecological system. Where building codes are being discarded, wet land occupied, and the irrigation system not kept pace with development, man’s role in threatening the ecosystem cannot be ignored.
Here in Guyana we have had to deal with our own environmental challenges. Though thankfully ours is not a hurricane zone, we have been experiencing high winds, storms, floods and prolonged dry period, which adversely impact those affected. Sunday afternoon, Kuru Kururu had a rainstorm which sent the area into darkness, as the wind ripped up trees and utility poles. At the time of writing this editorial, there has been no reported human mishap, only damage to vehicles.
Where this country has inherited irrigation systems and seawall defence put in place by the Dutch centuries ago, failure to upkeep, preserve and expand has consequences for us. Our building codes too have fallen short. Wetlands play an important role in water management, such as in water purification, streamflow maintenance, flood protection, shoreline stabilisation and groundwater recharge.
The effects of climate change which brings about intermittent higher tide than usual has influenced focus on our seawalls as a priority. This is necessary, given that the majority of Guyanese live around the coastland and the majority of the production of food and economic activity is conducted within the immediate environs of the seawalls. As such any major breach can be disastrous to these communities’ security and economic livelihood. Natural occurrence aside, man still plays a pivotal role in shaping and influencing the environment to ensure his survival and well-being. Harvey is a strong reminder of the importance to be guided by such thinking.