Region Seven residents educated on Climate change and LCDS
Written by Gina Webmasters, Published in News, Georgetown, GINA, April 4, 2015, Source
Residents of Bartica, Region Seven were recently educated on Guyana’s approach to address climate change, and the country’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), as Government continued its LCDS outreach programme.
The Office of Climate Change (OCC) took its awareness sessions to Bartica where residents from various riverain communities including Itaballi and Batavia were educated on climate change, its impacts and actions taken by the Government to address climate change including the protection of forests.
Head of OCC, Gitanjali Chandarpal outlined in her presentation an overview of climate change, explaining to the large gathering that climate change is a serious threat that demands global attention. She added that climate has been changing rapidly due to global warming, which is a result of an increase in greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
A resident of Region Seven registering for the awareness session
Ms. Chandarpal stated that over the last century there has been an increase in the Earth’s temperature by approximately one Degree Celsius, and a significant increase in Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions in the atmosphere. She reported that scientific studies have shown that by the end of this century, temperatures can rise by up to four Degrees Celsius, while noting that 2014 was the hottest year on record. Further, Ms Chandarpal added that this rise in temperature contributes to the rising of sea levels which could have significant impacts to Guyana.
A section of the gathering at the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) awareness session in Region Seven
Notably, Guyana has been experiencing some unusual and extreme weather patterns such as intense rainfall and dry periods. These weather patterns have resulted in severe flooding and threatened sectors such as agriculture and health.
Ms Chandarpal indicated that there are two measures which can be generally taken to address climate change. These are: mitigation, which includes the reduction of CO2 emissions and; adaption, which is understanding the situation and adapting to it. Guyana has taken action to support both.
Ms Chandarpal, further pointed out that Guyana has placed great emphasis on preserving its forest through sustainable forestry management, which means using the forest for development and timber production while at the same time doing so in an effective manner which would not lead to high levels of deforestation.
Keith Austin, Assistant Commissioner, Guyana Forestry Commission delivering his remarks to the gathering at the session
It was emphasised that global funding to address climate change has been shortcoming and vulnerable countries like Guyana are the ones that will suffer the greatest. Guyana partners with many likeminded countries such as other Caribbean countries and forested countries in its global fights against climate change. Partnerships are very important given the limited global financing thus far.
In this regard, Ms Chandapal indicated that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which Guyana signed with Norway is monumental as Norway (a developed country) committed to provide Guyana (a developing country) with up to US$250M by 2015 for its work on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+). She further noted that the country has thus far successfully received US$150M.
This money has been used as investments in priority projects under the LCDS such as the Amerindian Development Fund (ADF). This project enables the provision of financial support for the socio-economic development of Amerindian communities and villages through the implementation of their Community Development Plans (CDPs). To date, 26 communities have started to implement their CDPs. Under Phase 2 of the project approximately 160 remaining communities will begin to receive funding to implement their CDPs. Further, finance from the MOU is also used to fast track the Amerindian Land Titling process.
Ms Chandarpal noted that renewable energy initiatives such as the Amaila Falls hydro project are very important as they aim to reduce greenhouse emissions and enable long - term cost savings for the country.
Head of Office of Climate Change (OCC) Gitanjali Chandarpal educating the participants on climate change
Another very important project is the Cunha Canal rehabilitation project which is expected to improve water management at the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC). Rehabilitation of the Canal will increase its discharge capacity and contribute to reducing the risks of the embankment overtopping and flooding of areas along the East Bank of the Demerara.
Other key projects include funder under the GRIF include the biodiversity research centre project, the development of a climate resilience strategy and action plan and the LCDS Communication and outreach project.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, George Jervis gave the feature address of the Session. He encouraged agricultural diversification and outlined the importance of climate smart agriculture.
He pointed out to the large gathering of residents, representatives of various governmental and nongovernmental organisations along with other attendees that government has been working to put measures in place to address the issue of climate change, particularly at the Ministry of Agriculture.
The Permanent Secretary encouraged residents to support the Ministry’s drive for food security. Residents can engage in agricultural activities and diversify their livelihoods. This can have an added benefit of improved quality of vegetables and fruits for personal consumption. It is also a form of additional income. Further, through diversification, persons can have the opportunity to expand their businesses and can even reduce costs and become more competitive.
He further pledged the Ministry’s support to the residents in providing aid for them to produce their own food in a climate smart way, which will help in the preservation of the country’s forest as well as the Earth as a whole.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, George Jervis encouraging the gathering to practice smart agricultural techniques to aid in climate change
He pointed out that the Ministry has also encouraged the promotion of technologies such as drip irrigation, sprinkler and micro-sprinkler systems, greenhouses, modern farming techniques such as hydroponics, and plastic mulch among others to support environmentally friendly practices.
Mr. Keith Austin, Assistant Commissioner, Guyana Forestry Commission urged the participants to come on board and join the fight against climate change. He also urged them to preserve their natural resources.
Earlier this year OCC conducted similar outreach sessions to residents of Regions Five and Seven. Within the coming months, similar outreach sessions will be conducted in other Regions across Guyana.