It’s necessary to begin planning now to deal with climate change effects -OCC Head- at Region Six consultation

Georgetown, GINA, October 13, 2013

 

The Office of Climate Change (OCC) today expanded its consultation to Region Six where residents gathered at the Corentyne Comprehensive High School to hear about the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and share their thoughts on it.

On Saturday,  a similar consultation was held in Region Five at the Bush Lot Secondary School.

Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy in his presentation emphasised that Guyana has stood up and responded to climate change, and Guyanese should be proud of this achievement. “I am glad that Guyana recognised this early and is taking action,” he said.

Minister Ramsammy stressed that Guyana has been planning for the emergence of climate change for the last 50 years, and this is evident in decisions made by the past presidents to construct secondary schools, the University of Guyana, the Guyana School of Agriculture and the many canals and sluices that exist.

He said  that Guyana is one of the countries with a high level of awareness of climate change and its impact. This, he said is important so that people are well prepared.

In this regard, theHe emphasised that climate change should not be a political issue because it effects will touch  everyone regardless of political persuasion.

Meanwhile, Head of the OCC and Presidential Advisor, Shyam Nokta in his remarks noted that the ongoing consultations have  been receiving a lot of support and participation which is  important as the consultations seek to make people more aware of climate change and its effects.

Nokta pointed out that climate change is an issue now and will continue to be one as the next generation would have to deal with its impacts . LCDS should be something everyone should stand up for, the Minister said.

“Climate change is now a global issue,  it’s probably the top global issue right now,” he said. Nokta also explained that at the convening of the United Nations General Assembly a few weeks ago, global leaders were asked to meet and discuss the issue urgently.

While climate change is a worldwide problem, and Guyana is  not one of the countries that contributed to this problem; the country cannot wait on others to come up with solutions.

“For us climate change is a critical issue now but more importantly we need to start planning for this from now,” he said.

Nokta explained that planning is crucial since the impact of climate change will affect every sector.  Agriculture, water management and drainage and irrigation would be impacted, as such new innovations like drip irrigation are neccessary. Importantly, these are indications that planning has already started in  agriculture.

Region Six Chairman, David Armogan in his presentation recognised the importance of the LCDS to Guyana’s development. He noted that some people are still unaware of the strategy.

Armogan explained that global warming is affecting the world and this has attracted the attention of many world leaders.

He posited that former President Bharrat Jagdeo’s  LCDS took the world by surprise,  and today,  it  is a model that can be replicated.

 

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