KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent, Sept. 15, 2014, CNS – Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries have been told they need to adapt or face devastating consequences as a result of climate change.
The warning comes from Dr. Ulric Trotz, Deputy Director and Senior Advisor of the Belize-based Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC).
“It is now evident that the region’s sustainable development agenda is being seriously compromised by the vagaries of present day climate events – events which are projected to increase in intensity and frequency with climate change,” Trotz said.
“All CARICOM countries therefore need to take urgent action to decrease the damage that can arise on their natural, built and human systems as a result of climate change impacts, in other words, to adapt.”
Trotz was speaking Monday at an Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) seminar, ahead of the organisation’s fourth climate change seminar, to focus on ‘Approaches to Managing Disaster Risks and Building Resilience.’
The seminar will take place here at the National Insurance Scheme Conference Room from Sept. 16-18.
The CCCCC official said successful adaptation to and mitigation of climate change will require a significant shift in the behavioural patterns of Caribbean people.
“We need to keep in mind that adaptation is not cheap and that the longer we delay action on adaptation the more expensive it becomes,” he said.
“Like other developing countries, lack of the necessary resources seriously hampers our ability to adapt.”
But Trotz said there are things all CARICOM countries could do now.
He said one of the key tasks of institutions charged with leading action on climate change would be to institute a significant public education and outreach programme that raises awareness of this developmental challenge across all layers of Caribbean society and prepare populations to make the adjustments in lifestyle which will be essential for their survival and well-being.
“An enlightened population will also ensure that the issue of climate change will not be put on the back burner of the region’s policy makers,” Trotz said.
St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves is scheduled to deliver the feature address at Tuesday’s opening before an estimated 100 guests from across the Region.
The subject of natural disasters and how climate change might be exacerbating its intensity and frequency is a very delicate and complex one and the OECS said St Vincent, having experienced several recent unexpected severe events befits the perfect environment to hold this fourth climate change seminar.
*Photo: Dr. Ulric Trotz
CNS/ml/2014
