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ACHIEVING A GREEN ECONOMY

Jul 20, 2017 Editorial, Features / Columnists

In Guyana, the transition to a green economy is a high priority for the government, but making lofty speeches about it would not make it happen. Action, including educating the people about the importance of the need to protect the environment is needed.Sectors like forestry, agriculture, recycling, and mining are likely to gain from the transition to a green economy.
A green economy can help to generate good paying jobs that would contribute significantly to the reduction of poverty, social inclusion and improving the welfare of the masses. In Guyana as in most countries, climate change is real. It is the result of human activity which for the most part is work-related.
As a nation, we are confronted with the challenges of climate change on an unprecedented scale and on a yearly basis. Many have blamed the recent floods on climate change. They led to major damages to infrastructure, farm-lands and properties. The floods have also killed a number of cattle, disrupted businesses, and washed away roads and bridges.
In a green economy, many types of jobs that exist today, especially in highly polluting or energy-intensive activities will disappear. New and decent paying jobs will be created. But the challenge is not just about creating new jobs. It is more about the quality of those jobs that are created and protecting the environment that count.
However, Guyana, like most other countries, is affected by the effects of climate change. It should not have to choose between job creation and the environment. Environmental sustainability must be preserved at all cost in order to mitigate the effects and fallout from climate change.
Experts have contended that sustainable development must be pursued in its full economic and social dimensions in order to create environmentally-friendly jobs, otherwise the transition to a green economy will not happen.
But there is evidence that the creation of green jobs is already underway. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency, in 2015 employment in renewable energy had surpassed 8 million, which is a five percent increase over the previous year. In addition, the Food and Agriculture Organization stated that a shift to a green economy and more sustainable practices has the potential to create over 200 million full-time jobs by 2050.
Further, it is known that climate change does not respect borders or institutions. Therefore, it is necessary for the government, labour organizations and all stakeholders to work together coherently toward common objectives to help in the transition to a green economy but, most importantly, to achieve all the 17 interrelated goals of the United Nations 2030 Development Agenda.
If our aim is to successfully transition Guyana to a green economy, then there must be appropriate regulation in place to achieve that goal.
Ignoring climate change should not be an option because it will eventually destroy the environment and the economy. This was the stark warning issued by the United Kingdom Stern Review (UKSR) over a decade ago. Since then, several organizations on climate change have found incontrovertible evidence that human-induced climate change is well underway.
They warned of the consequences of failing to limit global temperature rise to 2° Celsius over pre-industrial levels as agreed to at the Paris Climate Conference.
The good news is that we know what we have to do to achieve a green economy but knowing the destination and the road to follow are not enough. We need the political will to help us get there. A green economy will not be achieved by default, but by action. The future of our jobs, our children and our environment depends on it.

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