CLIMATE CHANGE IS REAL

Jul 11, 2016 Editorial

If it is true that for every three people in Guyana there is one vehicle, then there are approximately 200,000 vehicles on the nation’s roads. And it is increasing at about 9,000 vehicles per year when one takes into consideration road accidents and age.
Guyana depends on oil for almost all of its operations. According to statistics the emissions from the consumption of fossil fuels from the transportation sector in the country has increased by roughly 200 percent in the last ten years. And that is just from vehicles.
Guyana depends heavily on fossil fuels for transportation, for the generation of electricity and to power its economy, among other things. There is a global push by the United Nations and several countries, including Guyana, to reduce carbon dioxide and greenhouse emissions substantially by 2020 as was evident at the Paris Climate Change Conference last year. The leaders of most countries realized that by cutting gas emissions and by setting appropriate emission standards, their citizens can enjoy an improved quality of life.
This is why earlier this year, US President Barack Obama led the way and unveiled a plan for sweeping cuts to power plant emissions in the country which is the world’s second biggest carbon emitter after China. Under the Clean Power Plan, the states in the US will now have to work with energy producers to reduce carbon emissions by 32 percent by 2030 which is below 2005 levels.
It is estimated that Guyana contributes less than one percent of total carbon emissions in the world, but that is no reason why the government should not be aiming to reduce gas emissions and save the planet. After all, Guyana and almost every country in the world are affected by global warming and natural disasters.
It is also true in Guyana as in other countries that the most vulnerable in society; children, the elderly, people with heart or lung disease and those living in poverty are most at risk from the impacts of climate change. The rich are generally in a better position to face the consequences caused by climate change.
It is very important for the government to focus on developing alternative sources of energy and on gradually divesting from fossil fuels. To continue to depend on oil to power the economy is risky because of the constant and volatile fluctuations in prices which occur whenever turmoil breaks out at the major world hotspots.
Cutting emissions, diversifying energy sources and ushering in divestment over time means that we are not putting our eggs in one baskets but in many different baskets, which will safeguard our ability to sustain the economy in the long-run.
It means that the government must introduce plans to encourage investment in renewable alternative energy sources such as wind, hydro and solar power. These plans, if they succeed could have an impact on global warming. The positions of the two main parties on carbon emissions are almost the same. Both manifestos outlined several proposals.
In rather vague terms, both have proposed an ambitious plan to take action to reduce emissions by enacting legislation, develop hydro power and devise an energy efficiency program to retrofit schools, public building and homes in the interior with solar panels.
In addition, industrial emissions, outdoor burning of garbage, tires and other materials related to sources of pollution will be actively curtailed. These are some of the firm actions proposed by the two main parties but so far, very little has been done by this government towards the reduction of emissions.
Guyana has to do its part in order to enhance the quality of life for its citizens and all the peoples of the world. Climate change is real.