Guyana vulnerable to climate change

May 17, 2009 Letters

Dear Editor,
Rising sea levels that could wipe whole nations off the map and displace scores of millions of people are being overlooked in global climate.
Today, major emitters are pushing for greenhouse gas emissions cuts that are too low to prevent devastating sea rises.
Dealing with environmental problems will have a much more serious impact on the global economy and global security in fact than what wars have ever done to this planet.
Today, we see in Guyana that a lot is being done to curb climate change and much emphasis is being placed on food security.

Both governmental and private agencies are taking up the mantle to invest in food security so that the nation and even the Caribbean can benefit in the future.
The task is now left to the policy makers and down the line, the farmers, who are as important as these decision-makers to make this a reality.
We are much fortunate as a country that we have had such good weather conditions that allow us to sow and harvest.

But very recently, there have been changes to this scenario where we are having high intensity rains in short durations, which then is surrounded by high rising seas.
This poses a threat to the development of Agriculture in this country, and as we all know, agriculture is one of the major contributors to the GDP of this nation.
Hence, I urge all farmers and decision-makers to continue their good work in ensuring that Guyana remains a ‘food secure’ nation.
Let us not face the hurdles of other third world countries, where poverty and starvation are taking lives on a daily basis, but instead, let us cooperate and make this effort and support the Ministry of Agriculture and other stakeholders for secure future.
Usha Pertab