THE latest Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), in its most recent report, has drawn attention to existential threats posed to humanity as a consequence of observable changes in the earth’s climate. Interestingly, many of these changes are unprecedented, and, even more alarmingly, irreversible.

There is, however, some hope. According to the report, strong and sustained reductions in carbon emissions and other greenhouse gases could limit the change, even though this could take as long as two to three decades before temperature levels become fully stabilised.

The report provides new projections of the probability of crossing the global warming level of 1.5 Degree Centigrade in the next decades, and found that unless there are immediate, rapid and large-scale reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, it may not be possible to limit warming to the required levels.

This is why it is so important to limit carbon emissions below current levels. Any increase could see heat levels below tolerable levels. Already, we are witnessing extreme temperature levels in several parts of the world resulting in wildfires on the one hand, and floods on the other, as recently experienced in Guyana.

The Government of Guyana, cognisant of the dangers posed due to climate change, has implemented a number of policy measures with a view to reducing carbon emissions. The Low-Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) was launched by the PPP/C Government in 2009, with the aim of transforming Guyana’s economy on a low-carbon, sustainable development trajectory, while simultaneously combatting climate change. The LCDS aims at protecting and maintaining the forests in an effort to reduce global carbon emissions, and at the same time attract compensatory funds from the developed world to foster growth and development along a low-carbon emissions path.

The LDCS strategy initiated by the PPP/C administration was not only visionary, but was intended to be a model for the rest of the world on how climate change can be addressed through low-carbon development in developing countries, provided, of course, that accompanying measures are taken by the international community collectively to reduce carbon emissions in their respective countries.

It is unfortunate that the APNU+APNU sought to downplay the importance of the LCDS during its term in office. It aborted the Amalia Falls Hydro-electric project which, apart from providing cheap and reliable electricity to Guyanese, would have reduced carbon emissions to a significant degree. The action by the previous administration was, at best, short-sighted, and appeared to have been politically motivated. Thankfully, the project is now being given new life by the current PPP/C administration, and, when completed, will have a transformative impact on the economy, and by extension the economic and social life of the Guyanese people.

The dangers posed by climate change cannot be underestimated; the evidence is there for all to see. Human activity is changing the climate in unprecedented and irreversible ways, as the IPCC report so unmistakably points out.  We are already seeing evidence of extreme heatwaves, droughts and floods. As the UN Secretary-General puts it, the report is a ‘code red for humanity’. There is no time for delay; too much is at stake.

Meanwhile, the Guyana Government is intensifying efforts to ensure that the country’s development trajectory is done within the framework of its low-carbon strategy. President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has signalled his intention to unlock some US$135M in climate-related funds to finance the country’s sustainable development. Guyana has, so far, earned more than US$250M through a partnership agreement with Norway, initiated by former President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo. Unfortunately, the country was unable to access the entire sum of money, due to political instability engineered by the then APNU+AFC coalition. President Ali has, however, indicated that measures will be put in place to have outstanding monies within the shortest possible time.