ECHO wants more climate change, global warming talk
THE Environmental Community Health Organisation (ECHO) yesterday called on all political parties involved in the current elections campaign to talk more about the integrity of the environment and their approach to dealing with climate change and global warming.
ECHO Director of Communications, Shelon Simon said, in a press release, that, at this critical juncture in the Earth’s history, it is very clear that much more needs to be done in the area of climate change and global warming in Guyana.
“We need to, immediately, begin a process that would allow for unbiased research into the problem and possible solutions that are based on science. We are aware that some will argue that struggling economies, undesirable and negative social situations require more urgent attention at this point in time. However, if the environment is not doing so well, the economy and society will falter because they are linked to the environment,” she said.
Simon added that the environment should be a leading issue in this elections cycle, as it is very clear that, with the very serious natural disasters and their impacts on every aspect of human society, these elections ought to have a direct focus on the natural environment and the stewardship of natural resources. 
According to her, the questions raised are: “Do you think global warming is happening? How are you going to deal with it? What is your approach?”
Climate change skeptics and deniers sometimes charge that the threat of global warming is a conspiracy kept alive by the media, but the reality seems rather different, she contended.
Simon said global warming also impacts on sea levels, which have risen approximately two to three millimeters per annum within the last decade.
“This has serious implications for Caribbean countries, most of which are at sea level. There is the increased probability of coastal flooding and erosion, particularly during stormy weather, causing surges to reach further inland. Coastal communities will be the ones most affected and may have to be relocated further within the island,” she said.
According to Simon, increased spending will have to be borne by regional governments. “This will be needed to provide relief in the event of any extreme weather conditions and also to research preventative measures, for example, infrastructural reinforcement.”
In the case of Georgetown, Simon said the city is four feet below the normal tide and an additional two feet below Spring Tide. “Naturally, rising sea levels have enormous implications for the development and future of the city. It seems reasonable to us, at ECHO, that those, who are interested in the leadership of this great country of ours, should begin to frontally and publically address this phenomenon.”
For Guyana, she said the impacts can be both social and economic, therefore serious measures need to be put in place to prepare for possible negative outcomes.