Samuda Calls On Governments To Address Climate Change

Democracy, Economic Growth and Social Development cannot be achieved unless the existential risks faced through Climate Change are addressed.

That’s according to Government Senator Matthew Samuda while speaking at a meeting of the organisation of American states recently. According to Samuda, Governments must put greater focus on handling climate change.

Samuda notes that climate change should not be considered as a far off disaster but an everyday reality being faced by countries across the world. He says changing weather patterns along with warmer air are affecting quality of life of Caribbean countries.

” These factors result in lower crop yields, poorer air and water quality, reduced water availability, increased forest fires, exceptional weather events which become frequent and reduced standards of public health.”

He government senator says the Caribbean is virtually losing an island annually due to extreme weather events. He believes that adaptation will become an issue if there isn’t a joint effort to address climate change with immediacy.

“Jamaica, despite its challenges, has taken responsibility for its Environmental Protection, Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation seriously. Prime Minister Andrew Holness recently announced that Jamaica would shift its target from an energy mix with 30% being provided by renewables to 50% by 2030.”

KHADIJAH THOMAS