Gov’t to establish statutory body for climate change
The British Virgin Islands is expected to make more concerted efforts to tackle the growing issue of climate change.
Premier Andrew Fahie said this will include forming an entity dedicated explicitly to the issue.
“We will set up a statutory body for climate resilience and the environment, whose mandate is to develop plans and programmes for climate adaption, policies and strategies,” said Fahie who described climate change as real issue affecting the BVI.
Fahie who was speaking during and a public event last week said the territory and other small island developing states “must join in partnership with global partners”.
In that regard, Premier Fahie said the territory will join the Association of
He said the territory will only join as an observer since the BVI is “not an independent nation”.
In explaining the reason behind the move, Fahie said: “Climate resilience is an urgent issue which we shall pursue. We need to address issues of flooding in low lying areas, land slippages, erosion, beach protection…finding resilient fishermen and farmers and ensuring that public buildings, schools and hospitals are built climate smart, so in the case of hurricanes or other disasters, they can be protected.”
He said more significant announcements in that regard will be made in the coming weeks.
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Good move. Keep them coming.
Not our problem. Plus the sea Coral reefs nature itself will adjust and fix itself. AGAIN…not OUR problem.
It would be difficult driving between east and West when the roads are underwater, due to global warming !
You watch to much CNN and Fox. Actually read and you will find different results from studies. That is why the debate rages on.
People believe any dooms day story.
The crazier the better.
Why they don’t start by applying the “existing rules?”
The forbidden to smoke in the territory, not throw garbage on the streets, don’t leave furniture next to the buckets, don’t distribute plastic straws, don’t throw anything in the waters, do not fish without authorization, …
I think it would also be a wise move to also set up a volunteer “action” committee dedicated to climate change and what can be done on a local level to reduce its impact on the Virgin Islands and her people.
Dr. Pickering spent a great deal of time and the people’s money traveling all over the world to collect climate change information. Perhaps he would be happy to chair such a committee?
Despite the climate deniers mantra, global warming is real. The ice caps in the Artic Circle and Antarctica are melting at an alarming rate. Consequently, sea level levels will rise if only slowly. The effect of rise sea levels is already being felt by the low elevation islands in the the Pacific, ie, Kiribati……etc. Other indications are the frequency and intensity of hurricanes. Small Islands Development States (SIDS), ie, VI…….etc are in the forefront of the effects of global warming. Why could global warming be just an Office, not a Statutory Body.