LAST Friday, President Dr. Irfaan Ali reminded those gathered at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre for a high-level discussion of how special Guyana is, and how it is doing its part to deal with climate change, a highly-concerning problem that is affecting every inch of the world.
Held under the theme, “Restoring Ambition for International Climate and Development: Learning from Guyana’s Low-Carbon Development Strategy and Its Global Model for Forest Finance”, the discussion was graced by some of the big names associated with climate change, and presented an opportunity for those who have an interest in the subject to hear the various perspectives, and to have any doubts or questions clarified and answered.

When it comes to climate change, the world is fighting an uphill battle. The effects are enormous, and with the increasing effects, there is more public discussion aimed at finding solutions, and pushing for the implementation of recommendations that were made over the years.
Presently, many parts of the world are experiencing extreme heat and other unusual weather patterns which are climate change-influenced.

In Guyana’s case, the hot conditions are expected to last until November. This solidifies concerns coming out of various discussions which indicate that climate change is a major issue that requires carefully-crafted and sound partnerships and action, both individual and collective. This is what Guyana’s LDCS offers.

The brainchild of former President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, this global model that was launched in 2009 sought to create an avenue for promoting broad-based economic development, while also ending the deforestation-led development path followed by the more developed countries. Deforestation is a major climate change contributor.

President Ali has emphasised that the policy which was birthed from an idea that led to the creation of a vision, sets the benchmark for driving global climate change action, while simultaneously being an effective economic model.
Aside from partnerships, he identified fighters and backers as key to the successful implementation of this idea, and went at length to highlight the good that is coming out of the LCDS.
The Kingdom of Norway is helping Guyana push for global recognition of forests, and has paid this nation for preserving its forests and avoiding deforestation.

As we move closer to 2025, we must stick to the goals outlined in the new LCDS, and ensure that we can access market-based mechanisms for forest climate services and other ecosystem services, that there is a stimulation of future growth through clean energy and sustainable economic activities, that there is protection against climate change and that what we are aiming for aligns with global climate goals.

We must appreciate the wealth we possess in the form of trees, and the invaluable contribution their preservation is making to Earth and the continued development of Guyana.